The Seattle Women’s Assistance Fund (SWAF) is a non-profit founded in 2012 to provide basic services to homeless and low-income Seattle-area residents by providing free clothing & other basic needs donated through Two Big Blondes Plus Size Consignment Store.
SERVICES:
- Clothing Boutique: Weekly appointments are available to choose free clothing & accessory items.
- Back-to-work /Job Assistance: Case managers are able to make appointments for their clients to shop at Two Big Blondes for an interview outfit and/or new job attire.
- LGBTQ+ Support: SWAF has an emphasis on assisting often under-served communities including the LGBTQ+ community. We provide women’s clothing and accessories to anyone who is need of those items and provide extra assistance to those transitioning to women’s clothing.
- Winter Warmth: During the winter months, we coordinate a winter coat drive.
- Basic Hygiene: We also coordinate a toiletry drive and hand out cosmetic bags with basic hygiene toiletries such as soap, shampoo & conditioner, razors, menstruation products, and cosmetics as supplies last.
SUPPORT:
SWAF's primary form of support is through clothing donations through Two Big Blondes consignment. Items can be donated directly to SWAF as a drop-off. They are also donated from items we don't take for consignment or at the end of the consignment period from items that did not sell.
When clothing & accessories are donated to SWAF, they support our program & clients through the following avenues:
- the majority are chosen directly by SWAF clients based on their current needs through our weekly appointments
- sold through our bi-annual Fill-a-Bag Sale
- some select items may be sold through Two Big Blondes' online shop or in-store with proceeds going to SWAF
All monetary proceeds from our bi-annual Fill-a-Bag Sale , individual items sales, or through direct monetary donations are used in the following forms of support for SWAF clients:
- purchasing clothing & accessories through Two Big Blondes that meet the individual needs of the client, in particular when they need specific clothing for employment or the hiring process
- purchasing new undergarments that are given to clients during weekly appointments
- purchasing toiletries for the hygiene kits when not available from direct donations
- small cash purchases for clients' direct needs for food, transportation and other basic need
In addition to clothing donations, SWAF accepts monetary donations through PayPal Giving Fund. Don't forget to ask your Workplace Giving Fund about matching donations! We also take donations of coats & toiletries in the fall & winter and fulfill special requests through our annual Holiday Giving Tree.
Volunteer opportunities are also available - email us for more information!
“Dear Lisa & the crew – your caring and generosity touch as at our heart’s core. Your gifts brings us to grand (if not grandiose) heights. Thank you from all of us!” - SWAF Client
IN THE NEWS:
Two Big Blondes and a SWAF client were featured in the recent HuffPost article, "Businesses Are Finally Stepping Up To Help The Homeless Crisis."