Spotlight on Charity – Gabriel House of Care

Mar 19, 2023

Gabriel House of Care is a non-profit hospital hospitality house that provides affordable, temporary lodging to patients, 18 and over, and their caregivers who come to Jacksonville for organ transplants or cancer treatment. In addition to the lodging, they offer an Integrated Medicine program to help alleviate the emotional and physical stressors associated with long-term illness. DWA has supported them for years, both financially for kitchen supplies, and serving dinners to the residents. We enjoyed the conversations as we joined them for dinner. With Covid, volunteer programs ceased as the patients are immune compromised. They recently have chosen a few groups, including DWA, to serve a meal occasionally. They are allowing a few vaccinated people enter to serve a meal, wearing masks and gloves, and social distancing. We are not allowed to sit with the residents but have enjoyed seeing their happy, grateful faces as they enter the kitchen to a hot, homemade meal.

Contact Jan Malick, JanMalick2@gmail.com, if you are interested in helping out for any future meals.

Check out their website to to learn more – www.gabrielhouseofcare.org

Pace Center for Girls is a Florida-based, nationally recognized not-for-profit organization that provides non-residential, prevention, intervention and diversion services for girls and young women of middle and high school age. Pace provides free year-round schooling in academics, case management, counseling and life skills development in a trauma and gender free environment.

The DWA supports Pace at their Mrs. Mary’s Boutique. The Boutique, formally known as “The Clothes Closet”, was started by now 87 year old Mary Warner. The Boutique provides a way for the girls to “buy” items with points they’ve earned through grades, good deeds, class attendance and participation. We support the Boutique with donations of clothing, shoes, accessories, jewelry, and toiletries.

Mrs. Mary’s Boutique has its own permanent room. It’s decorated and set up just like a boutique in the mall. This makes the girls feel very special and gives them an opportunity to shop in a place that otherwise they cannot afford.

Thank you for all your support for Pace in the way of volunteering and donations. If you are interested in volunteering or have items to donate, please contact Vicki Khan at 923-3538 or vickikhan1113@gmail.com. Her address for drop off items is 10148 Deercreek Club Road. Please do not ring the doorbell or knock on the door.