As we enter the final month of the hypothermia season, Rainbow Place does not "wind down" but, rather, we "wind up" as we continue a steady pace of clients coming and going every few nights and help prepare them for their next relocation (as much as possible). Anxiety heightens this time of year as the women we serve await acceptance into one of the local transitional shelters, Safe Havens or other subsidized housing programs. Each woman carries the reality that some may not have a place to go when we close on April 1st. While many Rainbow clients have been working with a Case Manager to secure housing, some have chosen to remain independent because they depend on friends or family to come through at season's end or their fears prevent them from trusting someone to help them. Nonetheless, Rainbow will continue to support all of these women through March 31st, encouraging them to move forward, to have hope and to see themselves as worthy, competent women who deserve a better life.
It is our caring staff and our many dedicated volunteers who arrive each night with smiles on their faces and simple willingness to help others, that our women count on for stability and grounding. Homelessness is not pretty, it's not comfortable, it's not safe; but Rainbow place strives to meet women's basic needs in humble, safe accommodations. When possible, we offer opportunities for our clients to experience love and caring from others, whether it is a filled Christmas stocking on Christmas Eve, new boots right before a snow storm, a welcoming dinner table on Valentine's Day donned with fresh flowers and red and pink balloons, bagged lunches with notes of encouragement, or the chance to stay in during a blizzard. At Rainbow, we know that these moments of grace go far to encourage our women clients to keep forging ahead and do make a difference in the life of a woman facing homelessness.
Thanks to the donations of time, money and effort of many individuals, churches, organizations, foundations and local governments, Rainbow has been a blessing to many needy women so far this season. In order to continue serving homeless women through March and in order to re-open November 1st, we ask that you consider making a donation to Rainbow Place. Collections of specific non-perishable foods, gift cards to Food Lion, Bottom Dollar, Wal-Mart or Costco for groceries, as well as financial contributions are accepted year round.
Be sure to check our website for updates on needs through the year.

    Ingrid Manfredo, Director