06 Nov The Gift of Giving
October was a month to remember, brimming with energy, connection, and purpose. Our supporters and donors showed up in incredible ways, and the community’s involvement reached new heights. With over 600 Microsoft employees engaging with us, 16 community members joining our Coffee with the Executive Director, and 20 young people coming together to brainstorm how they can support women experiencing homelessness, the collective impact was powerful and inspiring.
A Heartwarming Community Brunch
Our Fall Community Brunch, on October 19, was a heartwarming celebration of joy and togetherness. The women we serve shopped for cozy winter wear, enjoyed fresh haircuts, and showed off their new looks. Thanks to our wonderful staff, volunteers, and supporters, the day was filled with delicious food, lively bingo games and prizes, making it truly unforgettable. As participants shared:
“The food was amazing, the music was lively, and the variety of goods was incredible. The hugs and smiles were exactly what I needed. Thank you, Sophia Way, for this beautiful experience!”
“My favorite part is being able to see all my favorite people who have been there for me throughout the years. I love it when I can get my haircut and new items. I love everything about the event“
“Sophia’s Place was a life-changing event for me. Everything was wonderful. I’m so excited about my boots, getting my haircut, having help finding a winter jacket. My favorite part of getting together though was reconnecting with people I haven’t seen in visiting!”
“It wasn’t about the food or gifts this time. I mean who could even fantasize of getting a mini ’pamper me’ session from a homeless shelter program? It was everything to me. It was the fellowship, reuniting with past clients & staff. Everyone was happy especially staff. They made sure we had smiles & hugs to go along with everything else at the event. It was having the perspective of no longer homeless yet having a sense of belonging & being cared for.”
“The Sophia Way will always be my family and I’m looking forward to the next event.”
Microsoft’s Month of Giving
With a strong commitment to philanthropy, Microsoft makes October an impactful month of giving. Over 600 employees participated in 22 events supporting The Sophia Way, assembling sack lunches and hospitality baskets, sorting donated items, creating cards with positive messages, and hosting donation drives. Their enthusiasm for learning about the challenges facing women experiencing homelessness and finding ways to support these women’s journeys to stable living was truly inspiring.
Coffee with the Executive Director
Coffee with the ED, on October 29, offered community members a chance to connect with Dietra Clayton, our Executive Director. Dietra shared the achievements and challenges we face.
Since launching our formal volunteer program in 2020, we’ve experienced our highest levels of volunteer involvement this year. Yet, staffing remains a challenge, as we need full coverage across three shifts. Our desire is to increase compensation to attract and retain dedicated staff, especially those who may have experienced homelessness themselves, recognizing the value they bring to our direct services. “Direct service workers deserve to be paid well.” – Dietra.
A key success we shared was that since 2020, we have housed 504 individuals, with 91% still in stable housing. This is significant, given that many people often return to homelessness within six months. Our trauma-informed approach to case management has been central to this success, focusing on long-term stability and support.
Dietra also addressed a question frequently asked by the community: turnaways. Most turnaways are women affected by domestic violence or those with children, underscoring the critical need for additional resources for these populations. In October alone, Sophia’s Place turned away 55 individuals, while Helen’s Place turned away 75. By tracking this data, we aim to identify and address service gaps to better meet the needs of our community.
On advocacy, Dietra encouraged everyone to attend city council meetings where crucial decisions about emergency housing and shelter definitions are discussed. Community voices are essential in shaping policies that support organizations like The Sophia Way. She also announced that we will soon embark on a strategic planning effort. Following the success of our World Café event in 2020, we’re excited to host another in February, welcoming diverse perspectives to help shape our direction for the next three to five years.
Youth Engagement Takes Off
In October, we launched our first Youth Engagement Committee meeting, bringing together 20 high school juniors and seniors in a lively virtual session. Their enthusiasm for learning about The Sophia Way and supporting women experiencing homelessness was energizing. We are thrilled to connect with young advocates in our community and harness their passion and skills to help women find a place to call home.
We are celebrating 15 years of service with a Resilience & Renewal celebration on December 7, 2024
Take a journey through our 15-year history, relive the highlights, and look ahead to the future. Learn how The Sophia Way plans to scale up and provide more women on the Eastside a place to rest and heal on their path to stability. Sign up now and join us in this joyous celebration!
To protect the privacy of the women we serve, we use assumed names and stock images.