Community Outreach Overview
The Community Outreach Committee is an umbrella for The Woman's Club's contributions to the community.
The Community Outreach Committee manages and coordinates our ongoing volunteer projects with partner agencies. The Contributions subcommittee carefully reviews grant applications and selects the recipients for the charitable funds raised by the club and distributed annually through our Community Grants. Below you will find greater detail of some of our community outreach projects.
Dreams Delivered
Every year, we transform our historic clubhouse into a very special prom boutique, outfitting any ETHS and other students with a new/nearly new prom dress, shoes, and jewelry free of charge. We also provide hair/make-up sessions. We have helped over 700 kids during the last 10 years.
Sewing Circle
This longstanding group meets monthly to sew aromatherapy “hearts” for babies in the NICU at local hospitals, as well as breast forms/comfort pillows for women who have had a mastectomy, walker totes for seniors, etc. based on community needs. This group is informal, with no sewing experience needed—there are tasks like cutting fabric and ironing finished items that we all can do!
Soup Kitchen
Once a month WCE members assist the First Presbyterian Church's Souper Saturday in preparing and serving delicious and nutritious lunches to those in need every month.
ESCCA (Evanston School Children’s Clothing Association)
WCE members help needy family's “shop” for new and gently used clothing for their kids at the District 65 headquarters building throughout the school year
Back-to-School Drives
In late summer each year, we partner with community organizations (C24/7 Father's Arms Ministries, Evanston School Children's Clothing Association) to ensure kids and their families in the area have the supplies and clothing they need to start the new school year right.
Holiday Gifts and Parties
WCE members work with several local organizations, including Housing Opportunities for Women and Family Focus, to provide gift cards, baked goods, goody bags, and a fun holiday for all members of families in need during the holiday season.
Martin Luther King Day of Service
Our focus for the MLK Day is on making Valentine’s Day cards and gift bags both for female members of the Armed Services and for kids in the hospital. Members (often with the help of their families) craft fun home-made cards with a personal touch.
YWCA Ricky Byrdsong Race Against Hate
The Race Against Hate honors the legacy of Ricky Byrdsong, former Northwestern University men's basketball coach, who was murdered in 1999 by a white supremacist. WCE members staff the primary water station for participants; we also field a team of runners and walkers who raise funds for this cause.
Diaper and Hygiene Item Drives
We partner with Bundled Blessings and with Interfaith Action Evanston to collect diapers and hygiene items for distribution to local families once or twice a year—items that may not otherwise be covered by governmental assistance programs.
Learn more about how to join!