Serving Disadvantaged Girls

Union Street Home serves homeless girls with emotional problems. The home is one of five facilities run by Faith Homes around Puget Sound and the only one not focused on teenaged mothers. Because the home generally receives less community support than other programs, the Tacoma Quota club decided to focus efforts on making a difference there.

In 2002, the club collected and donated household items and clothing to resident girls. "We also gave a cash donation toward the purchase of house furnishings, such as a TV and VCR," says Quota volunteer Dianne Brown.

The club also treated the girls to dinner in a local restaurant. "It was the girls' choice to go out to eat rather than have us cook for them. The program does not have a lot of money to take them out for meals, so this was a luxury!" Dianne notes.

Club members say the girls were very courteous, but hesitant to order too much. "We had to encourage them to get what they wanted, including dessert," says Dianne. "Most of the girls were shy and didn't talk much at first. But, as the evening went on, we all opened up and had a fun time."

One of the girls was about to leave Union Street Home because she had turned 18 and was graduating from high school. "She was very positive about the program and said it helped her to make the right choices, including going on to community college," notes Dianne.