Post by Tim Collins on Dec 15, 2008 7:01:09 GMT -7
I will be contacting the shelter this morning to see if they have any specific needs, watch this thread for an update.
Once I know what they need, I will let you know and will gladly accept any donations on their behalf at Mesa Equipment & Supply 1342 Lomaland Drive, El Paso, TX 79935. If you prefer, contact me by e-mail and I will arrange to pick up your donation.
Dame la mano: Shelter needs helpAileen B. Flores / El Paso Times
Posted: 12/14/2008 07:12:00 PM MST
www.elpasotimes.com/neighborhoods/ci_11232952
downloaded 12/14/08 7:00am
EL PASO - More than 20 battered women and their children have found a home where they can have three meals a day and a place to stay at night, but sometimes food and household supplies are short.
Dame La Mano, or "Give Me a Hand," is a center that assists women with short- and long-term shelter for up to two years, and provides food, clothing, GED education, vocational skills and professional counseling, with the goal of reducing the number of women in crisis in the El Paso County area.
"I feel safe. I have breakfast, lunch, dinner and two snacks if I want to," said Denia Portillo, who arrived El Paso after she escaped a human trafficker involved in prostitution.
The shelter serves about 5,000 meals a month to 23 women and 50 children, said David Arellano, the center's co-director.
Women at the center make tamales and chiles rellenos to sell and raise money to pay for food, supplies and bills, he said.
"This holiday season we are asking for the community's financial support with expenses such as food and blankets due to the winter season," Arellano said.
He said the shelter encourages women to go to school and to become employed.
Seven years ago, Marisol De La Rosa and her three children lived on the streets. They found refuge at Dame La Mano, where De La Rosa learned to bake and her children were sent to school.
De La Rosa said she started making money by selling cakes. Little by little she was able to support her family and paid her own rent.
Now she works at the shelter that gave her a helping hand.
According to De La Rosa, the center is at its maximum capacity with more than 70 people living in a 10-room house.
"There are families sleeping in one bed," she said.
The shelter's ideal capacity is 49 residents - 14 women and 35 children.
"Unfortunately, sometimes we have to say 'no' to some women who come in looking for a place to stay," said De La Rosa, who is now the shelter's manager.
Dame La Mano was founded 10 years ago by Rosa Arellano, who started by providing women with free pregnancy tests.
Aileen B. Flores may be reached at aflores@elpasotimes.com; 546-6362.
What: Dame La Mano Crisis Pregnancy and Residential Center.
Its function: Helping homeless women in crisis through emotional, psychological and spiritual needs and shelter.
For the future: Helps women find work or sustain themselves by selling food.
Capacity: Created to house 49 residents - 14 women and 35 children.
Where: 1014 S. Virginia.
Information: 546-4040.
Learn more:
A segment about Dame La Mano Center will air at 9 p.m. Monday on the Cristina show on Univision (Channel 26-KINT).
Once I know what they need, I will let you know and will gladly accept any donations on their behalf at Mesa Equipment & Supply 1342 Lomaland Drive, El Paso, TX 79935. If you prefer, contact me by e-mail and I will arrange to pick up your donation.
Dame la mano: Shelter needs helpAileen B. Flores / El Paso Times
Posted: 12/14/2008 07:12:00 PM MST
www.elpasotimes.com/neighborhoods/ci_11232952
downloaded 12/14/08 7:00am
EL PASO - More than 20 battered women and their children have found a home where they can have three meals a day and a place to stay at night, but sometimes food and household supplies are short.
Dame La Mano, or "Give Me a Hand," is a center that assists women with short- and long-term shelter for up to two years, and provides food, clothing, GED education, vocational skills and professional counseling, with the goal of reducing the number of women in crisis in the El Paso County area.
"I feel safe. I have breakfast, lunch, dinner and two snacks if I want to," said Denia Portillo, who arrived El Paso after she escaped a human trafficker involved in prostitution.
The shelter serves about 5,000 meals a month to 23 women and 50 children, said David Arellano, the center's co-director.
Women at the center make tamales and chiles rellenos to sell and raise money to pay for food, supplies and bills, he said.
"This holiday season we are asking for the community's financial support with expenses such as food and blankets due to the winter season," Arellano said.
He said the shelter encourages women to go to school and to become employed.
Seven years ago, Marisol De La Rosa and her three children lived on the streets. They found refuge at Dame La Mano, where De La Rosa learned to bake and her children were sent to school.
De La Rosa said she started making money by selling cakes. Little by little she was able to support her family and paid her own rent.
Now she works at the shelter that gave her a helping hand.
According to De La Rosa, the center is at its maximum capacity with more than 70 people living in a 10-room house.
"There are families sleeping in one bed," she said.
The shelter's ideal capacity is 49 residents - 14 women and 35 children.
"Unfortunately, sometimes we have to say 'no' to some women who come in looking for a place to stay," said De La Rosa, who is now the shelter's manager.
Dame La Mano was founded 10 years ago by Rosa Arellano, who started by providing women with free pregnancy tests.
Aileen B. Flores may be reached at aflores@elpasotimes.com; 546-6362.
What: Dame La Mano Crisis Pregnancy and Residential Center.
Its function: Helping homeless women in crisis through emotional, psychological and spiritual needs and shelter.
For the future: Helps women find work or sustain themselves by selling food.
Capacity: Created to house 49 residents - 14 women and 35 children.
Where: 1014 S. Virginia.
Information: 546-4040.
Learn more:
A segment about Dame La Mano Center will air at 9 p.m. Monday on the Cristina show on Univision (Channel 26-KINT).