The “Loose Change Jar” started years ago at CDCW—a little blue glass vase in the office. If staff, volunteers, or guests had a dollar or two to spare, they’d stick it in the Change Jar. When a guest came into the office needing change for the bus, or money to cover prescription costs, we’d reach in the little blue vase. A bit of spare change was all we could do, since monetary gifts from our donors always go directly to running our programming.

What may be a small, everyday expense for some is a barrier to others— a barrier that prevents people like our guests from seeking healthcare, obtaining ID’s, and even finding housing.

Although our little blue vase was limited, it was a step towards breaking down these barriers.

This Giving Tuesday we want to EXPAND the Loose Change Jar by transforming it from community petty change to an actual fund to support our clients’ immediate needs.

This new and improved “Loose Change Jar” will cover ride shares to detox facilities, bus change to medical appointments, fees for new IDs, prescription costs, and other everyday expenses that we cannot fund through general donation appeals.