Many clubs submit more than one District Matching Grant proposal, but projects ranked below a club’s first priority may not automatically receive funding. That means some worthwhile projects still need a Rotary club to step forward and help carry them across the finish line.
One such project is Security System Updates for the REST Shelter, which supports survivors of sex trafficking in Seattle. REST has identified an urgent need to upgrade its shelter security camera system after recent increases in individuals connected to trafficking approaching the facility and attempting to contact survivors. The proposed project would help install a hardwired security system with improved monitoring, cameras, and recording capacity.
This project would directly support the safety of survivors as they heal and rebuild their lives. REST’s shelter serves approximately 96 survivors each year, and the upgraded system would also help protect the staff and volunteers who provide around-the-clock support.
The Rotary Club of the Pacific NW Ending Sex Trafficking is looking for clubs that may want to be involved but are not sure where to begin, or those who have never taken on a District Matching Grant before. We are ready to partner with an interested club or clubs by helping guide the process, adding funding support, assisting with coordination, and helping ensure that all District and Rotary Foundation requirements, including the final report process, are met.
Clubs interested in learning more or exploring whether this project might be a good fit are encouraged to step forward soon. Together, Rotarians can help meet an urgent safety need and make a lasting difference for survivors in our community.
For more information, contact Rotarian Julie McNamara-Dahl: juliemcdtoserve@gmail.com
For details regarding REST: https://iwantrest.org/
