December Recap

Happy Holidays!

So far in December, Womenade SLO met 20 urgent needs, distributing $7,850.47 in direct support to individuals and families in our community. As the year comes to a close, please keep Womenade SLO in mind if you're able to donate. As a 100% volunteer organization, we ensure every dollar donated goes to meet an urgent, essential need for residents in the city of SLO.

So far in December:

• 20 referring agents reached out to us on behalf of their clients.

• 48 households donated so we met every need.

• $7,850.47 was given to help SLO residents in need.

• As always, 100% of your donations helped someone in crisis in the city of SLO

We hope you can join us on January 13th for our first potluck of 2026. Thanks to volunteer, Cheryl Quilici, we also have a fundraiser at Pizza Republic on January 7th! Womenade SLO was also featured in The Tribune and on the radio with Central Coast Spotlight with Scott Taylor. Read on for more details!

RSVP and join us for our FIRST potluck of 2026 on January 13th!

A huge thank you to Joan Lynch of The Tribune for taking the time to write an article about Womenade SLO! The article got to the heart of our mission and you can read it here. Thank you to all the agents who volunteered to speak with Joan, and to Ilene Brill and her client for their detailed contribution. I'm so thankful to board members Kathryn Dickinson and Julie Jones, and volunteers Sandy Richardson, Calista Stewart, Priscilla Pesqueira, Marco Aguilera, Matthew Aguilera, Kaycee Cox, Erin Shurson, and Gwyneth Stewart for coming to chat with Joan about Womenade SLO.

Thanks to Central Coast Spotlight with Scott Taylor for highlighting Womenade SLO on the radio.

As the year comes to a close, please consider donating to Womenade SLO.

To help you plan in advance, we will be hosting Womenade SLO fundraising potlucks on the 2nd Tuesday of each month! RSVP each month at womenadeslo.org or at our link in bio on Facebook or Instagram. We look forward to seeing you at our first potluck of 2026 on January 13th!

Join us at Pizza Republic in the Marigold Center in SLO on January 7th! They are donating 20% of their sales to us on the 7th! You can mention Womenade SLO when you order at the counter or type 'fundraiser' in the notes section when you order online. We will see you there! Thank you Pizza Republic!

Read on for a few words from our referring agents. They are always so thankful for your quick and generous help...

NEEDS MET IN DECEMBER 2025 (so far)

12/24/25 Basic necessities and household items for a student who fled domestic violence. The student feels unsafe to return to grab these belongings. Referral from Maritza Perez, California Polytechnic State University SLO ($503.51).

12/23/25 Food and essential cleaning items for a family of five who had fraudulent activity on their account and were unable to make purchases. Referral from Carmen Gaitan, Access Central Coast ($329.11).

12/22/25 A single mattress and trundle frame for a four-year-old so she no longer has to sleep in a portacrib. Referral from Dr. Ernest Jones, SLO for Home ($170).

12/22/25 Motel stay for a prostate cancer patient living in his car. His car was totaled over the weekend, and this stay prevents him from being on the street throughout the holiday storm. Referral from Ashley Hahn, Hearst Cancer Resource Center ($301.18).

12/18/25 Utility payment to keep the power on for a father at a low-income building who recently had a stroke and has fallen behind as he has been overwhelmed with medical bills. Referral from Ian Kizanis, People’s Self-Help Housing ($329.66).

12/17/25 Partial rent for a single mom of three. She was facing eviction in 3 days but our payment kept them in their home. Referral from Chris Rhodes, Grace Central Coast ($601).  

12/16/25 Partial rent to prevent eviction for a single mom going to school full time. She has never had trouble paying rent before, but got behind after needing to pay a deductible after a recent car accident. Referral: Ashley Tokes, CAPSLO, Housing Stabilization ($188).  

12/11/25 Clothing for a single mom’s five kids. The kids were struggling with going to school as they didn’t have appropriate clothing to wear. Referral from Scott Nairne, San Luis Obispo High School ($600).

12/11/25 Bedding, towels, toiletries, and home goods for disabled senior who recently fled an emotionally abusive relationship and is staying in a family member's garage. She was not able to take any of her personal items with her when she left her home. Referral from Rita Holland, County of SLO Behavioral Health ($345.70).

12/11/25 Tools for a gentleman who was recently hired but is expected to bring his own tools to the job. Referral from Carmen Gaitlin, Access Central Coast ($488.92).

12/10/25 31-day bus pass for a middle school student to get to school from the shelter where their family is staying. Referral from Maite Rivera Barriga, LINK Family Resource Center Advocate, Laguna ($25).

12/8/25 Partial rent for an ill client. Referral from Jocelyn Leonard, Department of Social Services ($136.50).   

12/8/25 Ebike and scooter to help siblings get to school. Referral from Maite RIvera Barriga, LINK Family Resource Center Advocate at Laguna ($449.24).

12/5/25 Two-week car rental for a student who needed transportation to get to classes and take her child to childcare after her car was totaled. Referral from Courtney Moore, Cal Poly Student Services Coordinator - Students with Dependents ($554.96). 

12/4/25 Partial rent for a father who recently had a heart attack. Referral from Ashley Tokes, CAPSLO ($600).

12/4/25 PG&E payment for a client who has just started working again. Referral from Ashley Tokes, CAPSLO ($529.79).

12/3/25 Partial MRI fee for a cancer patient to see if they are responding to treatment. Referral from Jessica Reyes, Hearst Cancer Resource Center ($462). 

12/1/25 Bike and lock for a student who is needing to exercise more. This bike will help him to improve his health and allow him to get to and from sports. Referral from Deanna Martinez, CAPSLO ($334.90).  

12/1/25 Partial rent for a formerly unhoused client from Transitions Mental Health who is moving to housing. Referral from Ashley Tokes, CAPSLO ($301).

12/1/25 Deposit assistance for an unhoused person who has found a room to rent. Referral from Ashley Tokes, CAPSLO Housing Stabilization ($600).  

Thank you to our amazing December donors (so far):

June Stanley, Kathleen and Jon York, Tom and Linda Murray, Shelly Stevenson, Kathryn Dickinson, Anonymous, Naomi Blakely, Phyllis Martinelli, Carol Astaire, Frank and Sandy Richardson, Wendy Daly, Debbie Bennett, Julie Jones, Chelsea Ruiz, Polly Sackrider, Shannon Vanorman, Carolyn Niblick, Lucia Cleveland, Jane Larkin, Judy Gaskell, Denise Busby, Jayne Devencenzi, Nancy Hurd, Kimberly Barrett, Maryalice Jones, Judy Rutter, John Thomas and Cynthia Green, Louise Plevel, Diane Howard, Gail Gresham, Karen Alder, Janie Goldenberg, Nancy Alvarado-Blauer and Jeff Blauer, Pauline Nelson, Cheryl Quilici, Eva Lipson, Sharon Dobson in honor of Ilene Brill, Marylou Gooden, Marcie Hawthorne, Mark Devencenzi, Sally Hopkins, Califa Book Club, Dianne Draze, Mary Qualls, Sharron Connors, Linda Farbstein, and The Brown Family Foundation, and Kathy Greer.

December Volunteers:

Sandy Richardson, Calista Stewart, Cheryl and David Quilici, Ernest and Julie Jones, Priscilla Pesqueira, Marco Aguilera, Matthew Aguilera, Kathryn Dickinson, Kaycee Cox, Erin Shurson, and Gwyneth Stewart.

Thank you for partnering with Womenade SLO. Thanks to you, we can look forward to making 2026 brighter for so many in the city of SLO! 

Sincerely,

Elaine Stewart

Executive Director Womenade SLO

elaine@womenadeslo.org www.womenadeslo.org 

Womenade SLO Inc