History of Hearts Knit Together
My name is Linda Simmons and I am the Executive Director of Hearts Knit Together. The name of our organization came about as I experienced a full-circle of so many who reached out in compassion to those who are suffering.... to those widows who were literally giving their "widows mite"..........to prisoners who crochet for us.....some of them who were the perpetrators who had changed their lives......to so many in the community who demonstrate so much compassion by giving so generously.....to my regular volunteers who so lovingly put their hearts into each welcome kit......to our wonderful corporate sponsors who give so generously of their property, time and means.......and finally, to the recipients whose hearts are touched by our gift and message. All these individuals demonstrated to me the scripture in Colossians 2:2: "That their hearts might be comforted being knit together in love".
Hearts Knit Together had its inception in 2007 in the Temple View Branch, which was comprised mainly of widows and single sisters who were donating hygiene kits to the Homeless Shelter in Salt Lake City. When they turned it over to me, I changed the focus to the YWCA Women in Jeopardy program for battered women and children. I ran this out of my home until July of 2010 when Destinations Travel donated a beautiful space at 1194 West Jordan Parkway, South Jordan UT. When we agreed to give these welcome kits to all 16 battered women's shelters in Utah and 125 kits per month to the refugee program, we were donated another large work space at 2200 South State Street, Salt Lake City, UT, by ASA Insurance Company. Shortly after that Axis Insurance donated storage space to us in the same building as Destinations Travel. I am so grateful to these generous individuals in these companies who so willingly let us use their space.
In November, 2014 we became a 501c3 (non-profit). Then early in 2018 we moved into a beautiful new space with over 8,000 square feet. Unfortunately we now need to pay over $4,000 in rent. Our goal is to get enough corporate donations to facilitate this. We are hoping to have a building donated to us with a minimum of 12,000 square feet and would appreciate any leads that will help make this happen!
We hope in the future to be able to provide these gifts of love as shelters expand and as new ones are formed. Our desire is that every abused woman, man and child, from whatever their circumstances who are seeking refuge, receives one of our gifts of love with a message of hope and love. To that end, we appreciate all the assistance we receive from the community. 100% of our donations are used for that purpose.
Hearts Knit Together had its inception in 2007 in the Temple View Branch, which was comprised mainly of widows and single sisters who were donating hygiene kits to the Homeless Shelter in Salt Lake City. When they turned it over to me, I changed the focus to the YWCA Women in Jeopardy program for battered women and children. I ran this out of my home until July of 2010 when Destinations Travel donated a beautiful space at 1194 West Jordan Parkway, South Jordan UT. When we agreed to give these welcome kits to all 16 battered women's shelters in Utah and 125 kits per month to the refugee program, we were donated another large work space at 2200 South State Street, Salt Lake City, UT, by ASA Insurance Company. Shortly after that Axis Insurance donated storage space to us in the same building as Destinations Travel. I am so grateful to these generous individuals in these companies who so willingly let us use their space.
In November, 2014 we became a 501c3 (non-profit). Then early in 2018 we moved into a beautiful new space with over 8,000 square feet. Unfortunately we now need to pay over $4,000 in rent. Our goal is to get enough corporate donations to facilitate this. We are hoping to have a building donated to us with a minimum of 12,000 square feet and would appreciate any leads that will help make this happen!
We hope in the future to be able to provide these gifts of love as shelters expand and as new ones are formed. Our desire is that every abused woman, man and child, from whatever their circumstances who are seeking refuge, receives one of our gifts of love with a message of hope and love. To that end, we appreciate all the assistance we receive from the community. 100% of our donations are used for that purpose.