updated: 8/9/ 2011

While Equality Now is the main focus of the Global Can’t Stop the Serenity event, we feel it is important to give back directly to a local charity.  Once again, we have chosen The House of the Good Shepherd, a favorite of ours. On the day of the screening—August 20, 2011—we will be collecting much-needed items that are vital in helping the families who are breaking away from abusive homes.  In addition, we will be donating 25% of the funds collected to The House (as allowed by Global CSTS)

The House of the Good Shepherd

is a shelter and recovery program for battered women and their children that works to end the cycle of domestic violence in the Chicagoland area.

Of the women who completed the program in 2010, 95% went on to safe housing to begin productive lives for themselves and their children, and 87 cents of every dollar spent goes directly to the programs for the women and their children.

The women and children in the 3.5-month program receive intensive group and individual counseling, education, and help to heal, regain their dignity and become self-sufficient.

Each of the 14 families—who have 1 to 6 children each—living at the House has a private apartment where they practice independent living skills and learn to restructure their relationships to prepare themselves for lives as healthy families. The House also provides a learning center where the women work on their education and job goals, a child care center and an aftercare program that promotes long-term recovery.

When the women and children come to the House, they often arrive with just the clothes on their backs. The lists below include basic supplies that are always needed for the care of families, ensuring their stay at the House and helping them become self-sufficient when they leave the House and set up housekeeping in their new homes. Your generosity is greatly appreciated.

For more information, please contact Amy Lund at   amy @ chicagolandbrowncoats . com

Below is a list of items that are most needed at this time. If you have items you are interested in donating but are not listed below, please contact Amy.

Items needed as of 8/9/2011:

• Dishwashing soap
• Laundry soap
• Paper towels
• Toilet tissue
• Kleenex
• Liquid hand soap (mild for child care)
• Blank journal books
• Coffee, regular and decaf
• Gift card for Jewel and CTA (not 7-day passes)
• Batteries, AA, C and D
• Shampoo
• Conditioner
• Deodorant
• Hair brushes
• Body lotion
• Body spray
• Body soap
• Hair gel
• Baby body lotion
• Baby powder

Do you have a used cell phone lying around collecting dust?  Donate it to House of the Good Shepherd!  You can dispose of your old cell phone responsibly while helping fund the House’s violence recovery program. The House partners with a national organization that recycles old cell phones and pays the House for each cell phone. The cell phone you no longer need can support House of the Good Shepherd and similar programs all around the country.

Thank you!