As in many homes right now, we are anticipating the coming holidays and decking the halls of the shelter. Again, as it is every year, so many people have come forward to help us create the celebration, and our staff is working hard to make this holiday a joyful one for our shelter residents and their children. Generous donors from outside the shelter are also participating in our annual “Santa” program and adopting shelter families for Christmas. We expect to give to over 50 families this year, all of them people we have served in the last year or who are currently staying with us.
As we close in on the end of the year, we reflect on our many blessings as an organization, but are saddened by the fact that our services for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault are still necessary. Many of our programs have grown in this past year, and we have been able to deepen our partnerships with other agencies as well as develop new ones. We continue to provide services in Spanish; accompany and assist clients with legal matters; and offer education about domestic violence and our agency’s services to the region. We have also expanded our services and outreach to area schools for prevention programs; created an ongoing life skills support group; opened our doors to a growing number of clients with mental health disabilities; added a children’s day camp and children’s art program; and continued to serve a record number of people who need the safety and nurturing of our shelter.
Our work is only possible because of the generous support we receive from you and our community in the form of services, financial contributions, volunteer time, or donations. Your ongoing commitment to NWAWS is a clear demonstration of your belief in a peaceful community that cares for the well-being of all of its members.
Your generosity in 2010 has enabled us to shelter over 450 women and children, field more than 2,300 phone calls, and offer outreach assistance to 475 clients. We are grateful for the opportunity to serve Northwest Arkansas and these families in crisis, which is made possible through your support.
Again, thank you for the numerous gifts and well wishes you have given us over the years, and we look forward to seeing you in 2011.
Best wishes from everyone at NWAWS!
