The Ebell has a long history of providing both philanthropy and direct services to women in need in Los Angeles County. Today, our proud tradition continues through the efforts of the Rest Cottage Association (RCA) and its companion program, the Social Service Department.
RCA gives over $100,000 in grant money annually to local non-profits serving women and their children. In 2020, 11 organizations received $10,000 each to support their critically important work.
The Social Service Department is composed of Ebell members who became Ambassadors to the RCA grantees. Ambassadors work with grantees on projects benefiting the organizations to which all Ebell members can personally contribute.
Despite the challenges imposed by COVID-19, all grantees have continued to provide significant services to their clients, and we are excited to tell you about five of them now. More updates will appear next month.
Families and Criminal Justice
(Ambassadors: Elizabeth Yeo and Anne Winkles)
FCJ provides in-home parenting support to mothers who have been in the criminal justice system. Seventy-five percent of their RCA funds have been allocated to transportation costs for over 700 home visits to approximately 50 families. Also, Jo-Ann Rodriquez arranged for baby clothes and other infant items to be collected from Ebell members for FCJ clients.
Los Angeles House of Ruth
(no Ambassador currently)*
LAHR provides transitional housing for up to 16 women and their children recovering from domestic abuse. They help clients find permanent housing and jobs and they offer two years of follow-up services. RCA funds were used to provide 370 hours of remote individual counseling to the residents.
St. Barnabas Senior Services Women’s Emergency Fund
(Ambassador: Arden Teplow)
SBSS is the oldest senior services organization in Los Angeles, and their Emergency Fund helps senior women stay safely housed. This year, it has assisted women aged 62-85 with services such as purchasing a stove or refrigerator or paying first month’s rent and security deposit for a Section 8 apartment. Arden Teplow arranged a holiday gift-wrapping session with clients in which Ebell members participated. Below is a “thank you” letter to all of us:
“To whom this may concern:
“I, Janet M., would like to express my gratitude for having received assistance through the Ebell’s Grant in covering the total cost of my rent expenses. …Unfortunately, I do not have any close family/friends who could have assisted me financially with covering the costs for my rent expenses. …I am truly grateful to have received this assistance from the Ebell’s grant.”
The Teen Project
(Ambassadors: Elizabeth Yeo and Anne Winkles)
The Teen Project operates a 74-bed residential program for young women 18-24 years old, many of them victims of sex trafficking, who have aged out of foster care or the juvenile justice system. One hundred percent of their RCA funds were used to provide food, clothing, toiletries, and drug testing. Elizabeth Yeo and Anne Winkles conducted a 10-week Saturday Job Preparation Program at The Teen Project and several Ebell members participated as motivational speakers. They have also collected journals for the organization.
Women Crowned in Glory/Safe Passage
(Ambassador: Anne Lynch)
This organization transforms the lives of women who are victims of domestic violence by providing individual counseling focused on goal setting and confidence building. Women receive health evaluations, restorative medical and dental services, job-seeking skills, and job placement. RCA’s grant helped provide five of their 32 clients with all these services. Anne Lynch has arranged an ongoing collection from members of handmade and store-bought personal protective masks for this grantee.
Our Ambassadors ask members to supply goods, services, or their time to augment the funding provided to these organizations with hands-on personal commitment. Ebell members always respond generously and for that we are sincerely grateful. THANK YOU ALL! And a big extra THANK YOU to the Ambassadors who help to make it all possible.
*If you are interested in becoming an Ambassador,, please contact cherylfinley62@yahoo.com or joannrodrigo@gmail.com. For more information about RCA and how you can get involved in The Ebell’s oldest philanthropy, please email randi.s.jones@gmail.com.
Read more about the Ebell Rest Cottage Association here.
