FIRE RELIEF for Lesbian Womyn of Oregon
Donation protected
“When you fall, may you fall into the arms of womyn.”
~ Cris Williamson
As you know, the West Coast has been devastated by wildfires this week. Many evacuation warnings are still in place as the fires continue. In Southern Oregon, thousands of people have lost everything. Others are waiting to find out if their homes are still livable.
Among those impacted are OUR LESBIAN SISTERS.
Over the past few years, lesbians in the more rural areas of Southern Oregon and Northern California have begun connecting through a group called Wild Womyn of Rogue Valley. We support each other the best we can, but current financial needs of those affected by the September fires are far greater than we can carry on our own.
That’s why we’re reaching out to lesbians across the nation for support.
At this point, we know of at least 16 Wild Womyn whose homes have been completely destroyed. Some have lost all of their belongings. Others, their pets or their livelihoods. Many of them are in their 50s or older, single, and don’t have extra savings or close family to ask for support. (19 womyn as of 10/1/20).
Local groups are supplying material goods (toiletries, clothing, etc.), but these womyn also have immediate financial needs, especially for interim housing. With COVID health concerns and physical distancing guidelines, finding shelter and a place to stay indefinitely is particularly challenging.
The reality is that Southern Oregon is maxed out with funding campaigns for many of the families and individuals who lost everything in the fires. To relieve some of the impact on already limited resources of local community members, we are requesting the financial support of lesbians across the country.
We know in our hearts that lesbian community isn’t defined by where we live or who comes to potluck picnics. It’s about showing up for womyn-loving-womyn, about saying “when you fall, I will catch you” even to those we’ve never met.
This FIRE RELIEF FUND will help womyn who have lost their homes meet basic needs as they rebuild their lives. The funds will also support womyn who are displaced and waiting to return home, which could take weeks or months because of no electricity, no water, major damage, or other issues that make their homes unlivable.
By having less financial stress, they can worry less about daily survival and have the emotional space to grieve their losses and recover from the shock of losing their homes and stability.
Thank you for considering sharing some of your resources with your sisters in Oregon. We invite you to contribute within your means to do so, to whatever extent feels right for you. Donations of $1 to $10,000 are welcomed.
(Your donation is tax-deductible. Wild Womyn of Rogue Valley now has 501(c)(3) status through fiscal sponsorship of MCASO, the Multicultural Association of Southern Oregon).
The funds will be distributed through the Wild Womyn of Rogue Valley’s “Wild Womyn CARES Program” and go directly to members in need who have lost their homes in the wildfires or cannot return home for an extended period of time. If we raise enough money, each woman who needs it can receive an amount that actually makes a substantial impact in her life. If we meet our goal, womyn could potentially receive $5,000 or more each. (** Please see below for more details on distribution and spending of funds).
In the words of singer-songwriter Cris Williamson: “When you fall, may you fall into the arms of womyn.” May WE be the womyn who are there, arms wide open.
May this song by MaMuse, “When I Fall,” lift you up and inspire community near and far in these unprecedented times: https://soundcloud.com/mamuse-1/when-i-fall-two-parts
In deep gratitude for your love and support,
Jen Mathews, Mount Shasta CA
On behalf of Wild Womyn of Rogue Valley
(Please note that Sandy Pool is the WWRV Treasurer, not the beneficiary of the funds).
** DISTRIBUTION OF FUNDS:
Wild Womyn of Rogue Valley is working closely with lesbian womyn in Oregon who have lost homes or are displaced from fires and in need of support. If additional lesbian womyn who lost homes from the Sept. fires are referred to us, we will work with them as well to access the GoFundMe financial donations.
Lesbians in Oregon connected to Wild Womyn who are in dire need due to the recent wildfires are informed by WWRV Board Members of available funds, send a request to [email redacted], and/or connect with a WWRV Board Member to initiate the process.
Our commitment is due diligence in terms of womyn's needs, and individual WWRV Board Members confirm that each woman eligible for funds has lost her home or has been displaced due to the wildfires.
Funds will be spent on immediate and short-term needs that help a woman get her feet on the ground and rebuild her life. Each woman who qualifies can receive $500 in funds ASAP which can be used for housing needs (hotels, temporary housing), personal needs that cannot be acquired elsewhere (such as medications, prescription eyeglasses, orthopedic shoes, etc.), other health care needs, toward a computer that was lost in the fires, or other immediate necessities due to fire loss.
Each woman can apply for additional support after that, with the priority being for safe and stable housing. This includes temporary housing costs such as hotels, as well as security deposits, first month's rent, U-Haul or transportation expenses if the woman needs to relocate in order to have safe and stable housing, as well as household necessities such as a bed/mattress, etc. that cannot be acquired elsewhere. Our goal is to have funds to help get womyn into secure short-term and eventually long-term housing given that this is the #1 need most womyn have given the situation. Our hope is to be able to offer substantial amounts to those who have no other resources, no insurance, or no outside support.
Priority for funding is given to those womyn who have no or few resources, or other means of financial support. The maximum amount a woman can receive will depend on her financial needs and the amount of funds available.
Funds are distributed by the Wild Womyn CARES committee and WWRV Board using the guiding criteria and for the purposes mentioned here. Moreover, funds are given on a case-by-case basis so that we can be sure money is used in alignment with the intention of donors. Sandy Pool, WWRV Treasurer, will disperse funds after approval and keep records of all funds that are distributed. Paper work will be kept via Venmo and check info. On the rare occasion that a recipient needs cash, there is an application form and signature required so that we can have a receipt for our records.
Please contact Jen Mathews, WWRV Board Chair, at [email redacted] if you have any questions.
~ Cris Williamson
As you know, the West Coast has been devastated by wildfires this week. Many evacuation warnings are still in place as the fires continue. In Southern Oregon, thousands of people have lost everything. Others are waiting to find out if their homes are still livable.
Among those impacted are OUR LESBIAN SISTERS.
Over the past few years, lesbians in the more rural areas of Southern Oregon and Northern California have begun connecting through a group called Wild Womyn of Rogue Valley. We support each other the best we can, but current financial needs of those affected by the September fires are far greater than we can carry on our own.
That’s why we’re reaching out to lesbians across the nation for support.
At this point, we know of at least 16 Wild Womyn whose homes have been completely destroyed. Some have lost all of their belongings. Others, their pets or their livelihoods. Many of them are in their 50s or older, single, and don’t have extra savings or close family to ask for support. (19 womyn as of 10/1/20).
Local groups are supplying material goods (toiletries, clothing, etc.), but these womyn also have immediate financial needs, especially for interim housing. With COVID health concerns and physical distancing guidelines, finding shelter and a place to stay indefinitely is particularly challenging.
The reality is that Southern Oregon is maxed out with funding campaigns for many of the families and individuals who lost everything in the fires. To relieve some of the impact on already limited resources of local community members, we are requesting the financial support of lesbians across the country.
We know in our hearts that lesbian community isn’t defined by where we live or who comes to potluck picnics. It’s about showing up for womyn-loving-womyn, about saying “when you fall, I will catch you” even to those we’ve never met.
This FIRE RELIEF FUND will help womyn who have lost their homes meet basic needs as they rebuild their lives. The funds will also support womyn who are displaced and waiting to return home, which could take weeks or months because of no electricity, no water, major damage, or other issues that make their homes unlivable.
By having less financial stress, they can worry less about daily survival and have the emotional space to grieve their losses and recover from the shock of losing their homes and stability.
Thank you for considering sharing some of your resources with your sisters in Oregon. We invite you to contribute within your means to do so, to whatever extent feels right for you. Donations of $1 to $10,000 are welcomed.
(Your donation is tax-deductible. Wild Womyn of Rogue Valley now has 501(c)(3) status through fiscal sponsorship of MCASO, the Multicultural Association of Southern Oregon).
The funds will be distributed through the Wild Womyn of Rogue Valley’s “Wild Womyn CARES Program” and go directly to members in need who have lost their homes in the wildfires or cannot return home for an extended period of time. If we raise enough money, each woman who needs it can receive an amount that actually makes a substantial impact in her life. If we meet our goal, womyn could potentially receive $5,000 or more each. (** Please see below for more details on distribution and spending of funds).
In the words of singer-songwriter Cris Williamson: “When you fall, may you fall into the arms of womyn.” May WE be the womyn who are there, arms wide open.
May this song by MaMuse, “When I Fall,” lift you up and inspire community near and far in these unprecedented times: https://soundcloud.com/mamuse-1/when-i-fall-two-parts
In deep gratitude for your love and support,
Jen Mathews, Mount Shasta CA
On behalf of Wild Womyn of Rogue Valley
(Please note that Sandy Pool is the WWRV Treasurer, not the beneficiary of the funds).
** DISTRIBUTION OF FUNDS:
Wild Womyn of Rogue Valley is working closely with lesbian womyn in Oregon who have lost homes or are displaced from fires and in need of support. If additional lesbian womyn who lost homes from the Sept. fires are referred to us, we will work with them as well to access the GoFundMe financial donations.
Lesbians in Oregon connected to Wild Womyn who are in dire need due to the recent wildfires are informed by WWRV Board Members of available funds, send a request to [email redacted], and/or connect with a WWRV Board Member to initiate the process.
Our commitment is due diligence in terms of womyn's needs, and individual WWRV Board Members confirm that each woman eligible for funds has lost her home or has been displaced due to the wildfires.
Funds will be spent on immediate and short-term needs that help a woman get her feet on the ground and rebuild her life. Each woman who qualifies can receive $500 in funds ASAP which can be used for housing needs (hotels, temporary housing), personal needs that cannot be acquired elsewhere (such as medications, prescription eyeglasses, orthopedic shoes, etc.), other health care needs, toward a computer that was lost in the fires, or other immediate necessities due to fire loss.
Each woman can apply for additional support after that, with the priority being for safe and stable housing. This includes temporary housing costs such as hotels, as well as security deposits, first month's rent, U-Haul or transportation expenses if the woman needs to relocate in order to have safe and stable housing, as well as household necessities such as a bed/mattress, etc. that cannot be acquired elsewhere. Our goal is to have funds to help get womyn into secure short-term and eventually long-term housing given that this is the #1 need most womyn have given the situation. Our hope is to be able to offer substantial amounts to those who have no other resources, no insurance, or no outside support.
Priority for funding is given to those womyn who have no or few resources, or other means of financial support. The maximum amount a woman can receive will depend on her financial needs and the amount of funds available.
Funds are distributed by the Wild Womyn CARES committee and WWRV Board using the guiding criteria and for the purposes mentioned here. Moreover, funds are given on a case-by-case basis so that we can be sure money is used in alignment with the intention of donors. Sandy Pool, WWRV Treasurer, will disperse funds after approval and keep records of all funds that are distributed. Paper work will be kept via Venmo and check info. On the rare occasion that a recipient needs cash, there is an application form and signature required so that we can have a receipt for our records.
Please contact Jen Mathews, WWRV Board Chair, at [email redacted] if you have any questions.
Organizer and beneficiary
Jen Mathews
Organizer
Mount Shasta, CA
Sandy Pool
Beneficiary