The Sophia Way "Give a Home for the Holidays Celebration," December 2009 in Bellevue, Washington

Thanks to our many volunteers, donors, and guests, our anniversary party on December 9 was a great success! We anticipated welcoming 75 guests. Much to our delight, more than 130 RSVP'd.

Guests enjoyed sumptuous food, holiday carolers, and a chance to learn more about our organization and the women we serve. All the proceeds from our silent auction and donations will go directly to support our shelter and housing programs, as part of our mission to help end homelessness in East King County.

Speaker and Sophia Way client Carol B. talks about "REI: Respect, Inspiration, and Empowerment." Read notes from Carol's speech here (PDF format).

Executive Director Helen Leuzzi looked back on the year. Here's an excerpt from her speech:

A Recipe for Hope

As Executive Director Helen Leuzzi we celebrate this first year, The Sophia Way today is no longer merely an idea. It is a working social service agency that fills the void of services for single women on the Eastside. Our mission is to help end homelessness in East King County.

During the holiday season, one of the ways I enjoy celebrating with family and friends is sharing recipes. I want to share Sophia Way’s recipe to end homelessness with you. Our recipe has the following ingredients:

R for "resources" The first ingredient is resources: it all starts with resources. Each of you in this room tonight have provided the necessary tools we needed to launch and operate the Sophia Way: financial support, never-ending encouragement, selfless volunteerism, wisdom, meals, furnishings and so very many other tangible gifts. The “resource” ingredient fuels our agency. It enables us to funnel your passion and energy to make a difference. You have made the Sophia Way a truly community driven program.

E for "empowerment" The second ingredient is empowerment: together, we have empowered women whose lives had been stripped of the bare essentials of warmth, safety and shelter and then further marginalized from society for that very same loss. By reversing that trend, we show our sisters that wherever they are on the pathway of life, each one individually matters. It shows that it does not make a difference what baggage you are carrying but who you are and how you will carry it. This brings hope where despair has too long dwelt.

S for "support" Our next ingredient is support: It is impossible to tackle homelessness alone, and thus a network of support is crucial. Ours comes from many places: The support of our parent organization, EISCC; the gift of space from Bellevue First Congregational Church; that same support from all of our Host Faith locations; the YWCA for dovetailing our programs together resulting in the best quality of service for our mutual clients; Valley Cities bringing us essential social service support; and very importantly, the backbone of our work, our staff. This network has made possible the crucial work of our founding faith organizations: St Thomas Episcopal, Lake Washington United Methodist, Redmond United Methodist and Bellevue First Congregation.

T for "trust" Then a dose of trust is added: Your trust has been enabling. You continue to believe in our mission and in our ability to use the resources you give us wisely. Your trust helps guide us along our path of service and created a pathway for our clients.

The last two ingredients are provided not by us, but by the very women we seek to serve:

I for "inspiration" Inspiration: The women we serve did not choose homelessness as a way of life; instead, they arrived in this situation for a myriad of reasons. Most of us are unable to imagine the depths of vulnerability that results from such a personal crisis. There are no stereotypes, as no two situations are alike. Each woman must find her own way and journey through many barriers that are made harsher by the homeless situation itself. We marvel at their perseverance and are inspired by their determination.

S for "strength" Our final ingredient is strength: Our clients add strength. As we provide support, we learn and journey together. We see examples of women who have overcome huge barriers, who toil within the depths of hardship to find hope. It is with deep respect that we embark on this journey, sharing disappointments and joys. Our faith blossoms and our spirits grow stronger as we work together for a better tomorrow.

When we mix them up and put them in order, these ingredients spell:

Every recipe needs a secret ingredient. I’m going to share ours with you. It is compassion. With compassion we can speak touch lives and through caring for each other, we can tear down barriers. With compassion, support thrives and our program takes a shape that holds hope.

As we move into this upcoming year with continued challenges to meet the needs within our community, we have a dream of expanding the shelter to double its current size. We hope to create more and more housing units. There is so much need, that it flows forth like a bursting dam.

The Sophia Way will continue to use your gifts wisely and together, we will move closer to ending homelessness in King County. We have the spirit and compassion to do this work, thanks to you. Our clients are our sisters in the community. You support validates that.

Thank you!