Executive Director Message

March 9, 2012

I have been very busy sharing the mission of Conchetta House with organizations, and working to gain funding for our newest applicants.  Here is an email that I recently received:

“I live with my single mother and 13 year sister. We moved here from Texas about 6 years ago and have been struggling financially since day one. In fact when I went home yesterday evening I was stunned when I walked up to my door and saw the “Pay or Vacate” posted on the door. We received the eviction last Friday and as of today, we had until Wednesday to be out (Mar 7).  My aunt and Uncle were nice enough to lend us the funds. We have been in evictions before so it’s like an on going process for my family. When we first arrived to Washington, my mom applied for housing but has been on the waiting list for 6 years. I’m working at H&R Block and going to school full time to help out my mom when I can with any little thing ( gas,food,personal items ect.) I’m so motivated by her struggles to pursue a higher education. I’m just so tired of seeing her struggle. The same day you came to speak with the class I was running late because I had to fix my laptop. By the time I was finished there was only 20 mins left in the class so I decided not to come, but something within me told me to go to class anyway. I feel like that something was God, that He placed it on my heart to be able to meet with you and learn more about your program. Thanks so much for coming to talk to our class. My family and I are really seeking assistance and every little lead could make a difference. I would appreciate any suggestions or references you have for us. Your message was so powerful to me! I’m also interested in doing some volunteer work over the summer in reference to your program if it’s possible. If you could email me back I would appreciate that. “

Conchetta House is the only organization in the country listening and responding to emails to help low income families stay in college and become empowered.  When you donate , you money goes directly to the people who need it most, families who just want a chance of making a difference in their own lives.

I am honored to do this work, and I hope that you will be as inspired as I am to make a difference in the lives of families!  Adopt this family today, and let’s help them gain a brighter future!

January 3, 2012

I am so very excited that people are truly interested in our Christmas Jar program!  Here is the body of an email that I just sent to one family who want to both help, and help us place our jars in businesses!  Let’s make our change make an impact for the 2012 Holiday Season!

“Oh Thank you! I am so excited to have you helping Conchetta House in our desire to make this the best Holiday Season ever for single parent families!

All you need to do is to give to  me your address and phone number and my kids and I will drop off a jar within the next two weeks!  I would love to give you as many as you can place!

You see, I am passionate about helping single parents get through college because I truly believe that education is the biggest stepping stone to a brighter future for both the parents and the kids!  The more I work at this, the more I have uncovered a story that many don’t realize is happening, that single parent families are living in their cars or are homeless on EVERY COLLEGE CAMPUS!  It is with this epidemic that I am fighting, to create a safe haven for the kids while the parents can focus on making their lives better, safer, and more successful.

I also believe that less stress in a parent’s life gives them the opportunity to be a better parent, which leads to a better future for the kids.

This Christmas Jar idea came from a book of the same name by Jason F. Wright, and I believe that people truly want to help, they just needed a way to be able to do that.  This is the perfect way!

I am also looking for Jar Ambassadors in every city to make a HUGE impact on families in Western Washington, using just our change.  If you are interested , I would be happy to have your skill set to help us.  We would provide the jars, and you would just let people know you have them, and get us the contact information for the jar’s location!  ( We will be highlighting the businesses that have our jars on both our website as well as on Facebook and at our events! Also we will thank the families who are helping us on the webpage, unless you choose to remain anonymous)

Conchetta House is so very honored at your willingness to be of service, in what ever way makes sense for you!”

If your business is interested in being a location for our jars, please contact sandy@conchettahouse.org and we will highlight your business on our website, Facebook page, and at our events!  If you are an individual who has always wanted to help Conchetta House, this is the BIGGEST volunteer opportunity we have ever had!  Just contact me at sandy@conchettahouse.org and I will get your started!

Thank you and looking forward to making a difference with you!

Sandra Kozlowski

Executive Director, Conchetta House

Message from the Executive Director

Dear Friends of Conchetta House,

In our first year of Conchetta House , our name is beginning to be recognized in the Western Washington region as a resource for homeless single parents who are working their way through college.  This work has been challenging and rewarding as we have impacted the lives of families forever through housing and support.

v      We have built relationships with other non profits in housing

v      We have built a relationship with Highline Community College

v      We have built a solid relationship with the Landlord Liaison Project with the King County YWCA to assist our families with eviction prevention, short term rental subsidies, and move in costs.

v      We have been mentored by Vine Maple Place and are receiving supportive assistance with aspects of housing management.

v      By using an unpaid Executive Director and Marketing Expertise, we have been able to keep expenses down while moving the mission of housing during education forward.

v      We have increased awareness of Conchetta House through the use of social media and live events.

v      We have worked with our families, developing plans for self sustainability while both in college and after graduation.

By far the most urgent aspect of our work is the balance of need versus available funding.  Being “the new kid on the block”, many grants have been out of reach due to our being new, and it has been difficult to draw attention to a need that has been completely overlooked, the housing of single parent families while in college.

Yet it is that very need, and the look of the children’s faces that keeps us going.  The look of RJ and his sister when they realized that they no longer had to live in their car and running in fear, now they had a home.  Or when one of the moms’s cried when she finally earned a 3.4 GPA…or when she got a job on her college campus.

And it is the kids.  Strong families build strong futures for us all.  Support the parents and they will support the kids.  And the joy in the faces of the kids when their parents do well? Priceless!

Thank you to those who have helped us in this past year in all the ways of support.  As we move forward, I look forward to Conchetta House being a place where families can get a second chance to build their lives in safety and support moving forward to be truly self sufficient.  We look forward to you joining our effort in even a stronger way in the year of 2011-2012.  Your comments and questions are welcomed.  Please feel free to contact me at any time!

Gratefully,

Sandra Kozlowski

Founder/Executive Director

Our efforts, the Overview

Our Mission: To provide a subsidized housing program for single parent families in college.

Our Vision: For families to rebuild their financial lives so they can become self sustaining citizens