A Unique "Bridge" To Help Homeless Pregnant Women & Their Children

In the game of bridge, participants have a partner. But recently members of the Pasadena San Gabriel Bridge Unit 559 developed a unique new partnership when the organization presented a $1000 donation to Elizabeth House, a shelter for homeless pregnant women and their children located in Pasadena.

"The Pasadena San Gabriel Bridge Unit has been involved in supporting Elizabeth House for the past several years," Rand Pinsky, Los Angeles County Representative to the National Board of the American Contract Bridge League, told those attending the check presentation ceremony at the San Marino Recreational Center. "I did my own research and found that Elizabeth House is indeed a highly respected organization that is making a difference in this community. For fifteen years, they have been exceptional in their approach to re-building the lives of women and children in crisis. We are honored and proud to select Elizabeth House as our recipient of this funding."

Since its founding in 1994, Elizabeth House has served over 500 women and children. Its program, developed to address the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of women in a crisis pregnancy, includes classes in health education, parenting, life skills, career planning, and home skills as well as weekly sessions with a licensed therapist.

"For fourteen years, we have served the poor in our community," says Terry Bright, Program Director. "It has been our vision to be a place of refuge and restoration for women and their children as they find their way back into independent living and self-sufficient lives."

But the staff at Elizabeth House, adds Debbie Unruh, Executive Director, cannot do this work alone. "Elizabeth House deeply values the partnership of civic organizations like the Pasadena San Gabriel Bridge Unit 559," Unruh explains. "We´re so grateful for the impact the unit´s generosity has had on the lives of the families we serve. Such support is invaluable."

Special thanks are especially due to Elizabeth House volunteer Jan Wickersham. "It was Jan who was our main contact with the Pasadena San Gabriel Bridge Unit," says Unruh. "None of this could have happened without her."

The American Contract Bridge League´s generosity is not limited to Elizabeth House, however. Year round, over 165,000 members from Canada, United States, and Mexico play in special charity bridge games to raise funding for donations. For more information about the League, bridge lessons or other local bridge news, contact Unit 559 at www.darbonne.com/bridge or call the Bridge Center at 626.445.3797.

The mission of Elizabeth House is to provide shelter and family-focused support to homeless pregnant women and their children through a comprehensive program that addresses the physical, emotional, spiritual, and economic needs of women and children in a nurturing atmosphere. Visit www.elizabethhouse.net or call 626.577.4434 to learn more about Elizabeth House, its programs, upcoming events and opportunities to become involved.