Mission Beach Women’s Club donates $35,000 toward safehouse
Funds raised from a casino night went to the Center for Community Solutions, which is dedicated to ending relationship and sexual violence.
Dante Ulanday - News Moderator 
MISSION BEACH – The Mission Beach Women’s Club, a philanthropic nonprofit founded in 1926, has donated $35,000 from the proceeds of its annual fundraiser toward a safehouse for women and children in the beach community.
Money from its annual fundraiser — a casino night — went to the Center for Community Solutions, a San Diego-based group dedicated to ending relationship and sexual violence.
San Diego County District Attorney Summer Stephan spoke at the fundraiser about the importance of having a safe house in the community.
“District Attorney Summer Stephan has become a loud voice for justice and safety for the community, including a focus on exploitation and crimes against women,” said Cordelia Mendoza, who headed the fundraiser. “Stephan’s willingness to speak two years in a row at our fundraisers has helped both our efforts and the community.”
The Women’s Club’s venue, built on the bayfront in North Mission Beach in 1918 by the YWCA, also contributes to the club’s annual charity activities.
“This year, we allowed 20 nonprofits to use our club for fundraising and meetings, free of charge or at a significantly reduced rental rate,” said board member Nancie Geller, who manages the venue.
The total value of its donated use was $35,000.
Additionally, 14 other charities received a share of an extra $31,350. Those groups included the Armed Services YMCA San Diego, Artreach, Assistance League Greater San Diego, Elder Help San Diego, Free Flight, Generate Hope, Inc., Project Street Vet, San Diego Ritecare Childhood Language, Tap Fever Studio, The Music Company, Inc., and Unscripted Learning.
“The grants will allow each group to create and fund programs that the community can utilize,” said philanthropy chair Cinda Brockman. All recipients received their checks at a Mission Beach Women’s Club dinner meeting in June.
Rental income from the organization’s clubhouse, acquired by the Women’s Club in 1938, makes community donations possible. “Our venue has become a wonderful source of income, and the word is out in the community that we offer a beautiful space with reasonable rates,” Brockman said.
