Hermanowski Family Foundation Initial Request Form

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Organization Name: Rainbow Place Shelter
Legal Name (if Different): Rainbow Place Shelter for Homeless Women Inc
Also Known As:
Mailing Address: 215 West Montgomery Ave.
City: Rockville
State: MD
Postal Code: 20850
Main Phone: (301) 762-1496
Main Fax: 301-762-5823
Organization Website: www.rainbowplace.org
Employer ID Number: 47-5082306
Organization Tax Status: 501(c)(3)

Proposal Information

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Today’s Date: 3/28/24
Requested Amount: $10,000

Project Title: Standing up Rainbow’s Young Adult Shelter
Project Description:

For 42 years Rainbow Place Shelter has been an emergency hypothermia shelter for women in Montgomery County, MD. As a well-respected part of the Continuum of Care, our mission is to provide women emergency overnight shelter during the hypothermia season and assist them as they transition to a better quality of life. We work together with our staff and community volunteers to ensure that our guests know they are valued and important human beings of worth. We provide our guests with a warm, safe place to sleep; 3 meals a day; access to showers; laundry facilities; case management; and referrals to local social services, treatment, and housing programs.

Our organization is in an exciting period of transition, as we are expanding Rainbow’s mission to include young adults, 18-24 years of age, welcoming LGBTQ+, heterosexual and cisgender communities with year-round, 24-hour emergency shelter and the supports needed to transition out of homelessness. This facility will be in addition to our seasonal hypothermia shelter for women.

Our young adult shelter will be located in upper Montgomery County, MD. It will be the first of its kind in our county, not only the first to focus on young adults, a population that often avoids “traditional” shelters out of fear or shame, but the first to openly welcome and be sensitive to the needs of populations often overlooked, ignored, or outwardly shunned. Through partnerships with expert service providers, our shelter will offer services that include workforce development, trauma-informed mental health therapy, GED support, financial literacy, and legal counsel.

Our young adult shelter has broad support from local and state officials, as well as many places of faith and other organizations in Montgomery County. It is something that has been needed for many years, but has been absent from our county’s safety net…until now.

Total Project Budget: $7,770,000

Other Funding
Sources For The Project (Committed & Potential): Maryland State Government, Montgomery County Government, Rockville United Church

Project Duration: 1 year
Geographical Area Served: Montgomery County, MD
Age Group To Be Served: 18-24

Contact Information

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Contact Prefix (Mr,Mrs etc.): Ms.
Contact First Name: Nina
Contact Last Name: Blecher
Contact Title: Director of Development
Contact Phone: 301-325-0669 (cell)
Contact Email: development@rainbowplace.org