Appearing left to right, Honoree Norman Braman, Presenter Martin Margulies, Debi Wechsler representing Braman Family Foundation, and Honoree Irma Braman receiving award from Lotus House for their extraordinary dedication and support.
Founded in the Spring of 2006, Lotus House has a lot to celebrate and plans to expand it’s programs serving women, youth and children in need in the community. At a recent dinner hosted at Tuyo, founders and friends of Lotus House gathered to learn more about the accomplishments of Lotus House this past year and plans for expansion and honor those who made their seventh anniversary possible. They were treated to an announcement that the Braman Family Foundation has made a pledge of $1.5 Million to Lotus Endowment Fund, Inc., supporting program expansion for homeless youth and families in need. Donors to the endowment fund can double the impact of their gifts via the Braman challenge grant.
“Lotus House is celebrating its 7th anniversary and seven years of service to homeless women and children in our community thanks to the extraordinary generosity of our founders and friends. There are no words adequate to express the depth of our heartfelt appreciation,” said Constance Collins, Director of Lotus House. “They have shared our mission to break the cycle of child abuse, domestic violence and homelessness in a very personal and tangible way.”
The over 100 founders and friends in attendance included Norman and Irma Braman, Debi and Jeff Wechsler, George Lindeman Jr., Jeanette Rubio, Marie Gaviria and Charles Morera, Martin Z. Margulies, Jo and John Sumberg Esq., Beth Lotspeich, Julie and Chris Petricone, Evelyn Aimis, Margaret Nee, Dr. Gordon Miller, and Dr. Diane Walder. The guest speakers included several youth from Lotus House who will graduate from high school this year, offering heartwarming witness to their struggles and the critical support provided by Lotus House to accomplishing their dreams of a better life.
Honorees recognized for their steadfast support of Lotus House included Dr. Kathryn Villano, Bank of America represented by Kim Abreu, Gene Schaefer, and Juan Toro, and Norman and Irma Braman and the Braman Family Foundation.
Even as we celebrate so many lives changes, we are reminded that we are not done,” said Constance Collins, Director of Lotus House. In the past year, Lotus House has been forced to turn away over 3,000 women, youth and children due to lack of space and resources. “We are committed to expanding our programs this year for homeless high school age youth lacking a family support system and families with young children, two of the neediest and most fragile populations in our community. Recognizing there are holistic solutions that truly make a difference, we are inspired to do more and will thanks to the support of our founders and friends.”
Since opening its doors in 2006, Lotus House has sheltered over 960 women, youth and children, providing comprehensive, multifaceted, support services that include shelter, nourishing meals, clothing, counseling, child therapy, parenting education, medical and mental health care, job readiness training and a host of enrichment activities like art, music, dance, yoga, acupuncture and more. With a unique maternity program serving pregnant, homeless women and their infants, over 91 newborns and counting will some day call Lotus House their first home. The funds from the Braman Grant, together with the matches Lotus House hopes to raise, will enable it to expand programming for high school age youth, young mothers with children, the elderly and other high special needs women and children.
“At a time when the demands on the shelter are so great, we are deeply grateful for the support of all of our founders, friends and community,” added Ms. Collins. “Their volunteer and financial commitments are truly life changing.” Lotus House is funded by donations, government and foundation grants, and the support of many individual and corporate donors and volunteers. To help or learn more about Lotus House visit their website www.lotushouseshelter.org or for information about the match challenge grant from the Braman Foundation please contact Julie Petricone, President of Lotus Endowment, at jpetricone@gmail.com or Constance Collins, Director of Lotus House, at director@lotushouseshelter.org