Pocono News Section

Fundraiser/Rally Reaches Out to Homeless Women

Fundraiser/Rally Reaches Out to Homeless Women - Sunday, November 15, 2009 at 5:37PM EST

Reported by: Mark Hiller
Sunday, Nov 15, 2009 @ 05:37pm EST
WILKES-BARRE, LUZERNE COUNTY - Hundreds of people gave their time, money and support Sunday in Wilkes-Barre to help a growing problem -- homelessness among women.

The fundraiser is aimed at getting women off the streets and into a shelter that can turn their lives around.

A Sunday afternoon crowd filled Public Square in Wilkes-Barre. More than 200-people participated in the 2nd annual "Walk A Mile In Her Shoes" benefit for Ruth's Place.

The Wilkes-Barre shelter has helped some 600 homeless women since 2003. "They gave me the support I needed, they gave me the encouragement I needed," said former client Janet Szymanski. "I had so many people fighting for me."

Szymanski found herself in prison 9-years ago. She paid her debt to society and got help from Ruth's Place. Now, living in her own apartment in Wilkes-Barre for nearly 2-years, she volunteers at the shelter to help women in the situation she once endured.

"If they want somebody to give them good sound advice -- not necessarily what they want to hear -- but good sound advice, I'm there to listen," said Szymanski.

The 2-mile fundraising walk took participants past many agencies that provide services for homeless women. Women like Nicole Pimental who fell on hard times when medical bills piled up.

She turned to Ruth's Place and got the shelter and support she desperately needed. "They were consistent in their help in getting me resources to lift me out of the situation I was in in finding housing," said Pimental. "They were also there for moral support."

That help led to her getting her own place in Kingston. "It is the most remarkable feeling to be able to put a key in a lock and open the door and realize that that's mine," said Pimental.

Organizers hope this fundraiser will allow Ruth's Place to extend operations 24/7. "No one wants to see these women out here suffering during the winter during the cold, during the snow." said Bill Bolan, the board president of Ruth's Place. "If we can get them the service and the counseling that they need, it's a win-win for everyone."

Ruth's Place hopes to begin round-the-clock services within 2 to 3 months.