Community service has always been an integral part of PPAI’s Women’s Leadership Conference (WLC), and this year’s service project continued that effort. On Monday morning, attendees volunteered at Alexandria House in Los Angeles and the Downtown LA Women’s Shelter.
Founded in 1996, Alexandria House serves more than 200 current residents and past residents living in permanent supportive housing at the 16-unit Alexandria House Apartments. It provides a warm and loving environment for families to regroup and find strength and tools to help them on their journey to independent living.
The WLC volunteers at Alexandria House were divided into three groups. One group worked in the daycare center, another helped organize donated supplies and the third helped reorganize the office supply closet. Dana Geiger, PPAI Regional Relations Manager, joined the attendees volunteering at the facility. She says, “The all-woman staff was warm and inclusive, and shared the mission of the shelter. Our group felt so fortunate to be able to witness how Alexandria House nurtures the souls and spirits of all their residents, empowering them to take the next steps toward independence.”
A second group of WLC volunteers lent their time at the Downtown LA Women’s Shelter. This facility welcomes approximately 130 women each day, serving full breakfasts and lunches as well as dinners to-go. It also offers job counseling and training, medical care, and long term residential facilities to some of the women. The WLC team sorted donated clothing for the women at the shelter and other items for the retail shop that helps fund the program.
