Contact: Jo Anne Robbins

Healing a Woman’s Soul, Inc. (HAWS) is a local Christian Ministry designed to help heal women who are victims of domestic violence. It is dedicated to fighting domestic violence – one person and one parish at a time. St. George's partners with HAWS through out the year. Our largest activity is a Christmas event of filling gift bags for the women and children in domestic violence shelters.

Thank you to all who contributed to the 2025 Advent Collection!
We filled our red holiday tote bags for women and children who are receiving support from Domestic Violence Shelters and the HAWS (Healing a Woman’s Soul) organization.

Gretchen Coyner of HAWS attended our December 17th Blue Christmas service and was given the collection after Fr. Darius had blessed the bags. She sent the following thank you note:

Thank you and the St. George's Church members for the wonderful donation of Red Bags for women and children who reside in domestic violence shelters in the Capital District.  It was so nice to be greeted by familiar faces and to be invited to refreshments after the service. The service was so meaning. We missed seeing you and hope you are better.

I delivered 25 bags to women at Unity House in Troy as we were invited to their Holiday Pizza Party.  The residents were so happy with so many essential items and some things that were delightful.  We were there to provide a craft for children and Moms. 

I called the Albany shelter, Equinox, and I have plans to see them on Monday. The Staff at Equinox let me know that their residents are in need of things and they have 11 children staying there. The staff was so happy to hear that there is a donation coming. I appreciated that the extra items from the bags were packaged to go and I used many of those items to fill more bags for Equinox.

It has been a blessing to have St. George's donating so many filled bags for people who are otherwise forgotten. God Bless You and hope to see you in the New Year.

Gretchen Coyner- Healing A Woman's Soul Chair

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