Did you know that in all of Memphis, there are only about 25 beds available to unsheltered women without children? October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month and H.O.P.E. Women’s Caucus is well aware of the effects of DV: it is the leading cause of homelessness among women. Even worse, the threat of homelessness after leaving an abusive household is so frightening that some women end up staying in violent relationships. The fear is well-founded – over 90 percent of unsheltered women are survivors of severe physical or sexual violence and women traveling alone are at a particularly high risk for sexual assault.
Help us reach out to our sisters on the streets with some small creature comforts and welcome them into our group which gathers to heal the past and fight for the future through yoga, dance, advocacy, and self-defense.
The H.O.P.E. Women’s Caucus is assembling care packages to include anything that might serve to empower women struggling without shelter, including, but not limited to:
- BUS PASSES
- SOCKS
- WORDS OF ENCOURAGEMENT
- Sleep Bags
- Large Cloth Grocery-Style Bags
- Warm Shoes
- Small Flashlights
- Soap and Waterproof Soap Containers
- Toothbrushes and Trial-Size Toothpaste
- Deodorant
- Compact Mirrors
- Reusable Water Bottles
- Hair Ties and Hair Clips
- Gloves, Knit Caps, and Scarves
- Baby Wipes
- Gallon-size Plastic Bags
- Lip Balm
- Tissue Packs
- Bandages
- Scented Lotions or Body Sprays
- Nail Kits (Including File, Clippers, and Polish)
- Journals and Pens
- Chewing Gum
- Chocolate or Granola Bars
- Feminine Hygiene Products
- Gift Cards or Movie Passes
- Job Opportunities
Items can be dropped off at the Mid-South Peace and Justice Center at 3573 Southern Avenue anytime Monday through Friday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Call (901) 725-4990 to make special arrangements outside of those hours. If outreach is successful, we hope to expand our self-defense course and allies who identify as women are encouraged to attend classes on a sliding-scale basis. Stay tuned for updates!
The H.O.P.E. Women’s Caucus is a safe space for H.O.P.E. members who identify as women to work together on the issues that affect them disproportionately, including reproductive health and violence.