Pictured are Jeanne Buell, VP of the Quail Creek Democratic Club, and Jean, founder of Sister Jose Women’s Center. (Photo by Carol Smith)
Deb Melton
For the last three years, female members of the Quail Creek Democratic Club have been meeting for lunch once a month at local restaurants. In 2022 it was expanded to include women from the Green Valley Democrats and now is expanding to all women Democrats interested in attending.
In December the lunch was held at The Grill on the Green. We invited the founder of Sister Jose Women’s Center to come and tell us more about their work. Founded in 2009, this nonprofit is the only homeless shelter serving women and their pets in Tucson. One thing this author found surprising is that the average age of those served is women in their mid-60s. Many are experiencing health issues not related to drug or alcohol addictions. In 2021 they served 26,218 meals, 7,171 overnight stays, 14,317 daytime visits, and helped 38 women find homes of their own. Their vision is to provide a community where every woman experiencing homelessness has a safe harbor and a path to a sustainable existence. They take in women and their pets, because they recognize how important a pet is to those who love them. They are their family. All this is done with the help of volunteers and donations from people like you.
At the December Holiday Women in Blue luncheon, we asked attendees to invite their spouses to the lunch. In addition, attendees also brought holiday gift bags full of needed items. Things needed are clothing (especially socks and underwear), walking shoes, hats, and gloves, along with personal care items such as shampoo, hand soap, deodorant, feminine hygiene products, brushes, nail clippers, wet wipes, and sunscreen. If you would like to learn more about the center, please visit their website www.srjosewomensshelter.org.
The next Women in Blue luncheon will be on Jan. 26 at Wisdoms Restaurant. Reservations are required. If you would like to attend, please contact [email protected].