About 100 Good Women
Our Mission
We promote well-being in our community through service, education and social connection.
Our Vision
One Hundred Good Women is a not-for-profit and non-political organization embodying the spirit of altruism. We believe service creates strong community.
What We Do
Our community helps when there is a need that slips through the cracks.
For example, social workers or case workers contact us regarding specific needs, which may be new housing for someone who has left the shelter and is getting a home but needs stuff. The stuff we never think of. Shower curtain, trash can, microwave, bath towels, and more. Maybe they know of a family who needs assistance during a rough time. We will check our stash of gift cards and do our best to give them some relief. Maybe it is Christmas and we have families in need. We adopt several families and give the community many ways to help make their holidays happy and bright. The list goes on.
We are the fillers, the ones who rely on each other to help each other when there aren't other resources.
We are 500+ members strong! When we get a request, members receive a notification email or a post on Facebook that something has been requested. No pressure. No expectation. But if the member has what is needed? Fantastic! Just let us know. It truly is that simple.
Our goal is to say yes. Yes to gift cards, rides, shoes, household goods, gas cards, grocery cards. With each person who donates, that yes is more and more likely.
For example:
Clara has three young boys and has escaped an abusive relationship. She couldn't provide Christmas for her children. With the help from our community, her boys were able to open presents on Christmas morning. We have you to thank.
A Lawrence family was homeless and finally able to get a home! They didn't have beds or bedding, they didn't have sheets and pillows and silverware. We put the request out and you came through. They now have sheets, pillowcases and beds to sleep on, as well as the supplies that make their home their home.
A call came in from a woman who didn't have rides to chemo. The services in town were booked, but we put out the request and you came through. This isn't an everyday kind of request. This is life saving and life affirming.
Frequently Asked Questions
WHAT IS CONSIDERED AN APPROPRIATE PROJECT?
We try to respond quickly to immediate needs in the community. Our projects are non-profit, non-political, and short-term. They tend to benefit individuals or small groups. We also try not to overlap with existing social service institutions. Our mission is to respond to situations that may otherwise "fall through the cracks."
WHAT KIND OF SERVICES DOES ONE HUNDRED GOOD WOMEN PROVIDE?
We provide:
Household goods donated by our members
Other services donated by our members depending on need
Emergency help with food and gas in the form of gift cards
We do NOT provide money, payment of rent or utility bills, housing, or jobs.
Some examples of past projects include:
Installing baseboards for a woman so she could qualify as a foster parent
Providing child care and transportation for a woman whose husband was in the hospital in Kansas City
Participating in 2 women’s build projects for Habitat for Humanity, including organizing the very first one!
Providing clothing and other items for various organizations such as Willow Domestic Violence Center, Centro Hispano, Family Promise, etc.
HOW MUCH COMMITMENT IS REQUIRED TO JOIN?
As little or as much as you can do. We recognize that all of us are busy. If you receive an e-mail or see a post on Facebook asking you to volunteer or donate, and you can't do it, that's fine. This is volunteerism without guilt. This also means that you'll honor any commitments you make to volunteer your time, action or goods and services.
HOW DO I GET INVOLVED?
Sign up to have your name put on the e-mail list and LIKE us on Facebook.
HOW OFTEN DOES 100 GOOD WOMEN MEET?
We have an annual Clothing Exchange and an annual Book Exchange. We also infrequently have gatherings which may include a potluck or chocolate and a short meeting. Check the Events page or Facebook for dates.
IF YOU MEET SO INFREQUENTLY, HOW DO YOU GET ANYTHING DONE?
100 Good Women is a grassroots organization. Our principal methods of communication and calls to action are through our email list and Facebook page. When there's a need for us to respond to, we request help from our members. Requests can be for things like twin bed sheets for the Lawrence Community Shelter, or gas cards for people needing transportation to and from work or doctor's appointments, or furniture for recently homeless families, and so on.
IS IT ONLY FOR WOMEN?
There are no restrictions on membership to 100 Good Women. Everyone is welcome to participate.
WHO RUNS ONE HUNDRED GOOD WOMEN?
The board of directors keeps us on track in accordance with our mission. When a situation arises where we could help, the board decides if it's appropriate. They manage the annual events (clothing, accessory exchanges, annual meeting), Community Basics Collections, and other events or situations as they arise.
Board members are:
Adrienne Boyd-Akers
Yvonne Channel
Stephanie Jenkins
Crystal McWhirt
Louise Pennewell
Jennifer Tucker
Karen Johnson
Sarah Troubridge-Alt
Linda Brandenberger
Keri Rodriguez