Optimists Club and J Bar J Church Help Nest Children

the shelter often feel displaced, lost and bewildered in the face of the unfamiliar surroundings, new schools and having to make new friends. They do all of this without the comfort of things they know, like a comfortable pair of jeans or their favorite stuffed animal.The shelter begins to bulge at the seams the weekend before school starts. This is one of the busiest times for shelter admissions at the Nest. “It makes perfect sense, really. These brave women realize they can no longer live in their cars with their kids or keep camp in the forest as they hide from their abuser. The kids have got to get to a solid base so they can begin school, so they come into shelter to start the long process of recovering from domestic violence,” said Coleen Widell, Executive Director for the Nest.The mothers are feeling especially stressed, many feel guilty, for what their kids are going through. Thoughts of returning to the abusive situation sometimes run through their minds as they think, “at least the kids would have their own clothes and be with their friends in a school they know.” Many women wonder how they are going to pay for all the school supplies their children need, never mind the new school clothes and tennis shoes.

When the Nest Advocates explain that we have several groups in town that help their children, there is immense relief on the faces of these mothers.

Two groups recently stopped by the shelter to drop off a mountain of brand new backpacks filled with all the school supplies the kids need. One young boy said his Superman backpack was “the coolest thing I ever got.”

After several years of helping our kids, The Optimists Club of Ruidoso and JBarJ Cowboy Church have become our official BackPack Program sponsors. Both organizations partner with the Nest throughout the year, providing much needed resources, support and encouragement to the women who are desperately trying to rebuild their lives for themselves and their children.

Pictured: A small sampling of the “cool” backpacks donated to the children at the Nest by the Optimists Club of Ruidoso and JBarJ Cowboy Church.

BUSINESS HIGHLIGHT

Many thanks to our media partners, Ruidoso News, Ruidoso Free Press, KWES/KBUY Radio and KEDU morning show host Susan Landers Kolb for their wonderful advertising shout outs regarding the HEAL at the INN Deacon Bob Racicot Open charity golf tournament. It was a tremendous success and we appreciate your partnership in getting the word out!