The Angels in the Outfield to Host Holiday Store for Domestic and Sexual Violence Survivors
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
John Aney, Director of Development and Communications
Phone: 503-557-5820
Email: johna@cwsor.org
Oregon City, Ore. (November 8, 2018)—This holiday season, The Angels in the Outfield will host the Holiday Store for domestic and sexual violence survivors, a service historically provided by Clackamas Women’s Services. The Holiday Store is an annual tradition offered to survivors and their families during the holiday season and allows parents and caregivers impacted by violence to choose gifts for their children from among the donations. The store has grown drastically since its origination and the partnership between Clackamas Women’s Services and The Angels in the Outfield will increase the program’s sustainability.
“We are grateful to this new partnership with The Angels in the Outfield. Their engagement will ensure that CWS clients will be able to create warm holiday memories for their children” says John Aney, Director of Development and Communication with Clackamas Women’s Services. “The involvement of The Angels in the Outfield also emphasizes to survivors that there are caring, engaged individuals and groups out in their community.”
Holidays can often be difficult for survivors of violence, many of whom are struggling to find safety and shelter, navigating court systems and challenging family dynamics, all the while trying to maintain a sense of normalcy and holiday spirit for their children. The Holiday Store takes the stress and financial burden off of survivors and allows them to provide gifts for their children. Unlike other types of holiday giving, the Holiday Store allows parents themselves to select from among donated gifts for their children, giving survivors back a sense of empowerment and ownership and reaffirming their role as provider within their family.
Since its inception, the Holiday Store has grown in numbers of families served each year; ultimately providing 110 families with gifts during the 2017 holiday season. With the continued growth, ability to meet the growing need while also maintaining much needed crisis response services was becoming a challenge for Clackamas Women’s Services. Thankfully, The Angels in the Outfield, a local nonprofit dedicated to brightening the lives of children impacted by violence stepped in to coordinate the store and donations.
More information about how to volunteer, make a donation of new toys, or wish lists can be found on The Angels in the Outfield webpage, www.theangelsintheoutfield.org Donations can be dropped off at the Holiday Store location at 501 Pleasant Avenue, Oregon City Dec. 5-8 10 a.m.-7p.m. or at any of The Angels in the Outfield drop off locations before Dec. 5.
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About Clackamas Women’s Services
The mission of Clackamas Women’s Services is to break the isolation of domestic and sexual violence. CWS was incorporated in 1985 as Clackamas County’s first shelter for women and children escaping family violence and domestic abuse. CWS’ service delivery framework is built on trauma-informed best practices that promote safety and self-determination. Participants in our programs receive no-cost services by highly-trained staff with advanced expertise. The mission of Clackamas Women’s Services is to break the isolation of domestic and sexual violence. The 24-hour crisis line is 1-888-654-2288. To learn more, please visit https://www.cwsor.org/.
About The Angels in the Outfield
The Angels in the Outfield is a non-profit organization seeking to brighten the lives of children who have been impacted by crime or child abuse. Our mission is to promote healing, happiness, and safety of children through the generosity of our contributors. The services provided to each child is determined on a case-by case basis dependent upon each child’s specific needs.