Several months ago, SSW wrote an article called “Kristin’s Kitchen,” in which we described the first meeting of an informal group, the South Shore Giving Circle. Our mission: To make friends, network, and help people in need in our community. It was a simple concept: Pool your resources for the greater good--- oh, and have fun, too.

Each month we invited the director of a local charity to join us and tell us their story. This month, the South Shore Giving Circle (SSGC) has its own story to tell. We have listened, voted, and are now distributing about $4,000.00.

It was very difficult to decide where the money would go. Ultimately, it was a split vote: The South Shore Women's Resource Center and Crossroads for Kids will both be the beneficiaries of a SSGC check.

The South Shore Women’s Resource Center is a community-based domestic violence program that assists victims and their families. Services include crisis intervention, safety planning, assistance with shelter placement, support groups, therapy, and a 24-hour hotline.

Crossroads for Kids inspires at-risk youth to develop their innate potential to become members of the next generation of leaders. It is an immersive summer camp that takes inner city kids to the South Shore, providing them with weeks of support and opportunities which guide them toward academic success and responsible citizenship.

The SSGC is so happy to be able to support both of these groups. We look forward to doing it all over again next year.

For more information on how to get involved with SSGC or to tell us about your local charity, contact us at: southshorewoman@gmail.com

South Shore Giving Circle is a 501c3 non-profit organization.