A donation of brand-new mattresses to Ruth & Naomi's Mission is making a big difference in the lives of the female residents already.
The $2,500 in funding came from the Soroptimist International of Chilliwack.
"One of our mandates is to assist women and girls in local communities around the world," said Soroptimist president Anita Rogers. "We found out this was a particular need they had at Ruth & Naomi's."
The six women currently in the Step Up program had been sleeping on foam mattresses, of the kind sometimes used in camping.
They are much more comfortable now, and more likely to get a good night's sleep thanks to the Soroptimists.
"We really appreciate the new mattresses, and the support," said Ruth & Naomi's Mission executive director Bill Raddatz.
The foamies had been giving some of the residents backaches.
"They're okay as a back-up, but not for more than one night."
The local Soroptimist group is the program's main sponsor. They kickstarted the Ladies' Tea program last year with funding, which features a range of craft activities for the female program participants over a cup of tea.
Transitional housing services in the Step Up program are in addition to the drop-in services for shelter, food and clothes offered at the mission to street people, and those at risk of homelessness.
Stage two housing means they have a safe space to get off the streets, to get their lives together, detox, nutrition, life skills training, counselling, as well as a place to have visits with their children.
The facility for women is on the second floor, with capacity for 20 residents.
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