General Federation of Women’s Clubs awards $5,000 each to Voices Against Trafficking and Saving Grace

REDMOND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- The General Federation of Women’s Clubs Wednesday evening presented two local organizations, Voices Against Trafficking and Saving Grace, each with a check for $5,000 to continue the work they do in the community.

"Living the Volunteer Spirit" - that’s the mission statement of GFWC, an organization dedicated to community improvement by enhancing the lives of others through volunteer service.

Recently, GFWC held an event, Wine, Women & Purses, which raised more than $10,000. The funds were split between two organizations.

Andi Buerger, Voices Against Trafficking:

“Voices Against Trafficking is like a network of networkers, individuals, corporations, all kinds of people that are involved as a collective voice against human trafficking in this area, in any community, nationally and worldwide.”

Trish Meyer, Saving Grace: 

“Saving Grace - we are a domestic violence and sexual assault intervention program. We provide emergency shelter, 24-hour services to people who are in crisis… men, women, children, relay added to domestic violence and sexual assault.”

One of the most interesting takeaways from what these organizations actually do is what domestic violence as well as trafficking looks like. You’d be surprised.

Meyer said, “You don't always see it on the outside. People expect to see major bruising or some outward sign, but we don't always know, and so it's really important for everybody in the community to have a small sense of what's going on with, you know, my friend, my daughter, my mother, and to really be aware.”

GFWC says it was not a difficult decision to select Voices Against Trafficking and Saving Grace as recipients.

Leslie Ristine of GFWC added: “Our signature project is domestic violence awareness, so these both dovetailed very nicely into that.”

GFWC’s roots can be traced back to 1868, when Jane Cunningham Croly, a professional journalist, tried to attend a dinner at an all-male press club honoring novelist Charles Dickens. Croly was denied admittance because she was a woman, so she started a women’s club – today known as the General Federation of Women’s Clubs.

GFWC says they continue to transform lives each day, not simply with monetary donations, but with hands-on, tangible projects, providing immediate impact.