For 35 years, Mamma’s Hands has provided a safe and nurturing space for women and children escaping abuse. With two homes surrounded by 10 acres of forest in the Seattle region, the shelter offers programs tailored to each family, designed to prepare them for life after Mamma’s Hands.
Recently, Mamma’s Hands received a $25,000 donation from the Snoqualmie Tribe, the largest donation the tribe has made to the shelter. The team has already put some of the new funds toward the new septic system on the property, but there is still more work to be done. According to Star Lalario, the executive director, the hope is to put money toward a new security system, add ADA-compliant rooms, and add a new roof for one of the homes.
The shelter can accommodate up to seven families at once, with most of the moms being in their early thirties or younger. Children come in ranging from infants to to 14 years old, who are also assessed by Encompass, a nonprofit created to help families through pediatric therapy and enrichment programs. 85% of the families that are served come from a background in domestic violence, while 95% go on to graduate into stable housing and enroll in the Aftercare Program…