PORT ANGELES — On a quiet Port Angeles street, a converted Victorian home that houses some of the most vulnerable of the city’s residents has gotten a face-lift and will receive more upgrades in upcoming months.
Community groups gave $28,000 toward improvements to Rose House, a transitional shelter for women and children who have escaped from domestic abuse.
“It has been a yearlong endeavor for Soroptimist International of Port Angeles to raise substantial funds to help Rose House receive improvements that will last for years to come,” said Margo Petersen-Pruss, said in a Soroptimist report on the organizations efforts.
Rose House is operated by Healthy Families of Clallam County, and opened as a shelter in 1995.
“Rose House,” Petersen-Pruss said, “has been in desperate need of a new roof, exterior paint and a maintenance fund in place to meet needs when they arise.”
“Donations received from individuals in our community, grants and donated services have helped make this dream come true,” she added.
The city of Port Angeles financed a new roof, with a $14,493 grant coming from the Housing Rehabilitation Fund for Community Development.
The work was done by Diamond Roofing of Port Angeles.
The Ben and Myrtle Walkling Trust awarded a grant of $2,000 to buy a new refrigerator and an exterior storage building for the shelter.
The exterior of Rose House will be painted by Liquid Painting LLC. That service was provided by an anonymous donor.
The kitchen and dining room were updated with paint and new lighting by Habitat for Humanity and Soroptimists.
Soroptimists recently completed painting and refurbishing the Soroptimist room — a space that has been sponsored and periodically updated by Soroptimist members since 1995.
The Mac Ruddell Community Fund provided a grant for $1,000 to assist in the upkeep of Rose House.
Soroptimist International of Port Angeles is a 501(c) 3 nonprofit organization.
Donations for the Rose House project can be sent to SIPA Foundation, P.O. Box 805, Port Angeles, WA, 98362
Reporter Arwyn Rice can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 5070, or at arwyn.rice@peninsuladailynews.com.
