Kingston and Area Real Estate Association Brings Comfort and Care to Women Rebuilding their Lives
Coming together in the spirit of compassion and community, members of the Kingston and Area Real Estate Association (KAREA) dedicated their REALTORS Care® Day to supporting the Elizabeth Fry Society of Kingston, helping extend comfort and hope to women seeking safety, housing, and stability in the Kingston community.
Across local brokerages, REALTORS® donated funds and $1,000 worth of essential items, such as clothing, feminine hygiene products and toiletries, that volunteers then collected to assemble care baskets. 5 REALTOR® volunteers assembled and delivered the baskets directly to the Elizabeth Fry Society, providing women with essential items that foster dignity, comfort, and a sense of support during challenging times. In addition to the donated items, KAREA members also raised $1,675, which was presented to the Elizabeth Fry Society to further support their housing and community programs.
“These everyday products are often expensive and difficult to afford when women are trying to stretch limited budgets to cover rent, food, and other basic needs—especially for those caring for children,” said Dr. Rennais Gayle, Executive Director of the Elizabeth Fry Society. “By providing these essential items, REALTORS Care® is helping to ease financial pressures, promote dignity and self-care, and support women on their journey toward stability, independence, and a brighter future.”
The Elizabeth Fry Society of Kingston plays a vital role in helping women access safe, affordable housing and rebuild their lives with dignity. Through supportive and transitional housing programs like Kaye Healey Homes and the Joyce Detweiler Residential Program, the organization offers a lifeline to women and families experiencing homelessness, poverty, or re-entering the community after incarceration. These initiatives provide more than a place to live, they create a foundation for stability, independence, and hope.
For Kingston-area REALTORS®, whose work revolves around helping people find homes, supporting an organization so deeply rooted in housing access and empowerment resonated on a personal level. Their REALTORS Care® Day efforts helped strengthen that mission by ensuring women in transition had the essential items and comfort they need to feel supported as they take the next step toward secure housing and a brighter future.
Reflecting on the day’s volunteer efforts, Mary Ambrose, President of KAREA, stated, “I think it’s really important that REALTORS® unite together during these collaborative, community events. We often work independently so it’s really nice to have a common goal, where we can get together and support our community”.
The Kingston and Area Real Estate Association’s REALTORS Care® Day is just one of many ways its members give back to their community year-round. KAREA members are actively involved in supporting local causes, from organizing spring food drives and volunteering at events like Ribfest and craft beer festivals to raise funds for the Partners in Mission Food Bank, to contributing to Homes for Heroes through galas and fundraisers that provide relief for veterans.
