Special
Archives January 2004
Calendar
Days
The YWCA Sojourner’s Shelter Children’s Calendar is created
from artwork drawn and painted by children who have stayed at the Charleston
shelter for homeless women and families. Sharon Harms of Image
Associates selects and sorts the pieces to be included, adds the border
and designs the cover. She says, “The most amazing thing is that
99% of the pictures are bright, happy, images. All the art is produced
by children who have experienced major life style changes and problems.
And yet, their art is happy.”
In 2003, the Sojourner’s Shelter provided services to about 1300
individuals. Almost 500 of them were children.
Established in 1982 in the basement of a church, Sojourner’s
originally provided participants two meals a day and a place to sleep.
Soon services and programs were incorporated to implement long term
skill development. Now Sojourners has grown into a significant
provider of a wide-ranging assortment of social services including adult
education, employment skills and transitional housing.
The physical shelter on Lee Street accommodates 75 residents and is
open all day, every day. Director Margaret Taylor says, “Usually,
between fifteen and thirty of those are children. Kids are enrolled
in school immediately upon entering the program. The average stay
is 4-6 months. Our goal is long-term self-sufficiency. The
services we offer beyond the shelter– the pre-GED classes, adult
basic education, money management, job interviewing techniques, substance
abuse counseling, mental health, parenting and self esteem classes,
job keeping skills – these all address issues that contribute
to homelessness. We help people from becoming homeless again.
We make sure they can make it on their own.”
Proceeds from sales of the calendars support Sojourner’s Shelter
services.
The calendars are sold for $8 at the YWCA and retail stores like Cornucopia,
the Dresser, the Mole Hole and South Charleston Mound Crafters.
For other sites to purchase a calendar or for more information,
call 304-340-3553.
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