Transitions sponsors and initiates programs which in faithfulness to the mission of Jesus foster the personal growth and wholeness of women and children in need.
Transitional Programs for Women pursues this mission through the operation of EduCare, Miryam's House, the Women's Hearth, and Transitional Living Center.
Our values state:
Respect for Human Dignity
We believe in the dignity and inherent worth of individuals and respect their right to self determination.
Community
We believe that the fullness of each person is realized in relationship with others.
Growth/Wholeness
We believe each individual is a work in progress on a journey toward the integration of mind, body, and spirit, with the hope of emotional, physical and spritual peace.
Justice
We believe in advocating for what is right, honest and moral both for whom we serve and with whom we serve.
During the past year many things have been accomplished. Some of the highlights are:
- The New Leaf Bakery Cafe has begun its training program. Over 50 women have participated in "Information sessions" since June '08. Eight women are actively involved currently. They have an active catering business going and are looking forward to the opening of our retail space in the spring of '09.
- The Medicaid Therapeutic Childcare program has been expanded to two shifts to provide care to more fragile children. These children have been identified as being at risk for abuse or neglect with a range of diagnosed early childhood disorders. There is no other program like this in Spokane. The nearest similar program is in Seattle.
- At the Women's Hearth, we began a new Legal Preparedness Project which helps women with various legal concerns, primarily helping them with the paperwork they need for court appearances.
- At each site, we strive to provide the best environment for healing and growth for both the women and children that we serve.
In 2009 we have several goals:
- We hope to keep each program filled to capacity to make sure that women and families facing the hardship of homelessness can find safety and future growth through living in one of our residential programs.
- We hope to face our financial deficit with an increase in individual donors.
- We strive to have the best possible programs and staff so as to provide the best quality services to those who come to us seeking help.
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The first on the three programs, Miryam's House (MH) was opened in 1986. Sponsored by 5 religious communities, Dominican Sisters, Franciscan Sisters, Good Shepherd Sister, Sisters of the Holy Names, and the Sisters of Providence, it answered the need for a residential program for women motivated to recover from life crises including homelessness, all manners of abuse, and domestic violence.
The second program to open was the Women's Drop-In Center in 1991. Founded by the Sisters of the Holy Names, they saw a need to serve women at risk of physical and sexual abuse in the downtown core area. Now called the Women's Hearth, it has been in its current location since 1994.
In 1993, the last of the three original programs opened, The Transitional Living Center (TLC) sponsored by the Dominican Sisters of Spokane. This program was developed to meet the need for transitional housing with service for women and children suffering the effects of homelessness.
Transitional Programs for Women (Transitions) became an entity in January of 1995 after the merger of these three previously established programs. With a common administration, all the programs continued as they do today serving those that come to them seeking change, hope and help in a supportive safe environment. Still sponsored by the Sisters of Providence, the Sisters of the Holy Names, the Dominicans of Sinsinawa, and the Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia, the mission lives on.
In 2005, EduCare became a stand alone program under Transitions umbrella. With expanded childcare abilities, EduCare reaches out into the community helping families and children with their day-care and parenting needs.
How This Organization is Funded
- Public Grants - $1,075,189
- Sponsorships, Endowments and Savings - $416,757
- Donations - $349,085