Chrome Divas of Cedar Rapids rally to refresh Madge Phillips shelter “It was a great project because it was a group of women working to empower another group of women”

The Chrome Divas of Cedar Rapids know how to rally and not just for motorcycles.

Members of the social organization recently pooled their talents, resources and energy to provide a much-needed update to Madge Phillips Center Shelter, a homeless shelter for women and children. The Chrome Divas not only raised funds to remodel shelter's living quarters and children's area, they also selected and purchased new furniture and toys for shelter and completed much of the painting and other work themselves.

'It was absolutely wonderful what we were able to do,” said Cindy Tisdale, Director of the Chrome Divas of Cedar Rapids. 'We created a homier, nicer place for women and children in their time of need.”

'It was a great project because it was a group of women working to empower another group of women,” added Autumn Craft, Director of Resource Development for Waypoint Services, which operates the Madge Phillips Center Shelter in downtown Cedar Rapids. 'The newly remodeled space gives our clients hope that things will get better for them.”

Since the Chrome Divas of Cedar Rapids was founded in 2007, the organization has raised more than $82,000 to benefit local women, children and families, according to Tisdale. Waypoint Services has been a recurrent recipient of the group's generosity. For several years, proceeds from the Chrome Divas' annual 'Santa Lil' Divas” event in December have been used to purchase Christmas presents for the children of Waypoint Services clients.

This past year, with the shelter's tired and dated common areas in desperate need of updating, the Chrome Divas agreed that half of the $8,000 raised from the December event should be directed toward a remodeling project. In addition to providing financial support, they also decided to tackle the chipped paint and worn carpet themselves.

'One of the challenges with communal living and people coming and going all of the time is the amount of wear and tear on the facility,” noted Carrie Slagle, Director of Homeless and Housing Services for Waypoint.

The shelter, with 16 private bedrooms and 40 beds, served a total of 249 women and children in 2013. Clients typically stay for no longer than 30 days before transitioning to transitional or permanent housing.

'It was very institutional and rundown,” Tisdale said of the shelter before the remodel. 'We wanted to create an environment that was warm, comfortable and welcoming for the women and their children.”

The Chrome Divas recruited the help of an interior designer, who helped them select calming and inspiring paint colors. A member who is a day care provider put together a shopping list of toys and other items appropriate for the children's play area. The group also purchased new, comfortable sofas and a flat screen television.

'They put a lot of time and thought into the project,” Craft said of the Chrome Divas' involvement. 'They are an incredible group of women who are so giving to the community.”

Slagle said both the shelter's clientele and staff have been impressed with the results of the remodel.

'I can't say enough how much we appreciate the Chrome Divas' efforts,” she said. 'It is so wonderful to see community members step forward to support our programs and services like they have.”