Doing Good: Edna House for Women

There's just something magnetic about people who are extremely passionate about what they do. When I met Jena Olsen from the Edna House for Women at a Detroit Shoreway Merchant meeting, there was something about her tenacity and compassion for the women and organization she works for that was impossible to ignore. Jena is the development coordinator for the Edna House for Women, a 501(c)(3) non-profit who provides structured sober-living and education to women who are struggling with alcoholism. The Edna House is situated in our neighborhood, Gordon Square, and every time we visit, the house is buzzing with activity- AA sessions, prayer meetings, people cooking, eating, and perhaps most importantly, smiling. Seeing the smiles on the faces of women who have been having a difficult time is an incredible experience and something that further inspired us to get involved with the Edna House.

One of the ways Edna House generates funds to continue their mission is through the Edna House Boutique resale shop which they opened to not only raise money, but to give the women of the house additional job skills and a way to be productive outside of their recovery. The women manage, merchandise, and sell clothing and home decor out of a brick-and-mortar store on Madison Avenue on Cleveland's westside.

When we first started talking about a partnership with the Edna House, Jena excitedly drove us out to show off the Boutique and the great work that's happening there. But as we arrived, we quickly realized there was a need for exterior signage. The store itself is a beautiful old storefront with a facade of massive windows like you'd see in an old pharmacy, but it was difficult to tell what was going on inside unless you walked right up to it. We knew right away what we could do to help.

Like I said, passionate people have a certain magnetism- we foresee more projects for Escape Hatch and the Edna House in the future.

The Edna House operates on a tight budget trying to keep up with the $30,000/month operating cost of feeding, housing, and creating programming for the women who live and heal there. Please consider donating. Your support is much appreciated!

Special thanks to Susan from Riot Creative Imaging for the awesome die-cut vinyl and the generously discounted printing services.

Know a non-profit that needs creative help? Shoot me a message.