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Updated May 3rd, 2007
‘New Beginnings’ Benefit Raises $80,000 for Elizabeth House
La Cañada Flintridge residents who supported Elizabeth House at a recent dinner and auction
fundraiser include (from left to right) Dick Cook, Michelle Sparks, Bonnie Cook, Paula Miller, Jeff
Miller, Mike Burnett, Sandy van Berkhout, Patricia Burnett, Jan Rallis, Dr.Tom Sawyer, Cindy Sawyer,
Nancy Pittson and Glenn Pittson.
Elizabeth House’s recent “New
Beginnings” dinner and auction
raised approximately $80,000 for
the homeless pregnant women with
small children who turn to the shelter.
More than 175 guests attended
the event, held at Oakmont Country
Club in Glendale, to support
Elizabeth House, the only program
of its kind in the San Gabriel Valley.
“It was a wonderful, magical evening,” said Terry Bright, executive
director of Elizabeth House.
“Guest speaker Frank Pastore of
KKLA radio moved many of us to
tears as he shared his odyssey from
being a pitcher for the Cincinnati
Reds and Minnesota Twins to
becoming a radio commentator and
host. He also inspired each of us to
embark upon ‘new beginnings’ in
our own lives.”
But the focus of the evening was
on raising funding to help the
women Elizabeth House serves
make a successful “new beginning”
once they leave the shelter.
“Our program is designed to
address the physical, emotional and
spiritual needs of women in a crisis
pregnancy practically and holistically,” Bright said. “Our goal is to
prepare each resident to meet the
future challenges of supporting a
family.”
In addition to meeting their
basic needs for shelter and clothing,
women at Elizabeth House
attend classes covering topics
from job skills and budgeting to
parenting and health education.
The shelter also provides not only
current but “alumni” residents
with therapeutic and case management
support.
“We keep in touch,” said
Bright. “I talked the other day to
a former resident whose child is
now 10.”
Nor does Bright ignore those
Elizabeth House is unable to help
due to lack of space. (Recently a
new room was added to the house
while future plans include adding
another bathroom and renovating
the kitchen.) The executive director
keeps a long list of referral
services and agencies on hand
specifically to aid such women.
The success of “New
Beginnings” was particularly
welcome because the shelter
receives no state or federal support.
“We’re entirely dependent
on the generosity of our friends,”
said Pamela Sheldon, a member
of the development team at
Elizabeth House and a longtime
supporter. “We couldn’t do what
we do without them. We’re so fortunate
that they share our commitment
to helping each of our residents
-– and their children –-
build a new life of hope, promise
and ongoing success.”
Since its establishment in
1994, the program has aided more
than 169 women and 286 children
and babies. Currently, surveys of
more than 75% of past residents
reveal that while 11% are completely
dependent on welfare,
31% receive absolutely no aid.
Many residents choose to continue
their educations, graduating
from high school and even college.
“This proves that happy endings
aren’t something that happen
only in fairy tales,” Bright said.
“They happen at Elizabeth House,
too, on a daily basis.”
For more information, call
Elizabeth House at (626) 577-
4434 or visit www.elizabethhouse.net. |
