The Birkenfeld-Stella Maris women’s and children’s shelter in Bremerton now has a lovely computer room and comfortable living room area, thanks to the generosity of many Kitsap-area businesses, organizations, and individuals who contributed. The Leadership Kitsap team “Hope for the Homeless” would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who helped make our project, “Room for Hope,” such a success. Not only were furnishings provided, but services to help future residents with resumé writing, interviewing skills, education on victims’ rights and advocacy, hair care services and makeup sessions to boost self-esteem.

We could not have accomplished our goal without the donations and efforts of the following: Mae and Albert Respicio, managers of the Bremerton Grocery Outlet; Rotary Club of Bremerton; Ootopia Coffee Roasters; Costco, Target, Best Buy, and Olive Garden of Silverdale; Mayor Patty Lent, for speaking at our dedication ceremony; Parametrix; Art Anderson Associates; the Kitsap County Corrections Officers Association; Ashley Furniture; Kitsap County Sheriff’s Office Lieutenant’s Guild; Ashton’s Hair Design; Connie LaMont of LaMont Designs; Great American Furniture in Bremerton; the Soroptimists of Greater Bremerton; the Bremerton and Port Orchard Fred Meyer stores; Yoshiko Yamamoto of Arts and Crafts Press; Maria Mackovjak of Old Town Custom Framing and Gallery; N.L. Olson Associates; Windy Point Services; EastSide Storage; Paul’s Flowers; the West Sound Human Resource Management Association; Springhouse Dolls and Gifts; and many, many individual private donors.

It is wonderful to know we live in such a caring, giving community.

Kelli Warren

Phedra Elliott

Genie Elton

Deanne Hull

Ellen McCracken