SPOKANE, Wash. — Mark Peterson and the 4 News Now Extreme Team are working all week to renovate and enhance the headquarters of Spokane's Women Helping Women Fund, allowing it to ultimately help more women.
For 32 years, the organization has been building community and supporting local women and children, and looks to do even more.
Thirty two years ago, six women had an idea that there was power in their pocketbooks. Since then, the organization has been empowering women and children in Spokane to reach their full potential through various nonprofits.
"We've been able to continue to grow and now we support about 50 nonprofits a year through various grants," Geniva said. "And then we also support scholars, women balancing the cost of tuition and childcare."
With so much growth, they've outgrown their 300-square-foot office in downtown Spokane. With the help of Peterson and the Extreme Team, some of those nonprofits will have a space inside the brand-new Women Helping Women facility.
GALLERY: Extreme Team project with Women Helping Women
The new building will allow them to do so much more than just work on their own organizations. They can collaborate with others and even rent the space for events.
"We're excited to finally be using the space to its fullest potential," Heather said.
Once this space is finished, nonprofits like Fail Safe for Life will have a space of their own to provide essential services to their community.
"It was really, really devastating," Sabrina Votava said.
Devastation is what led to one nonprofit's formation.
While Vovata was in school, two of her brothers died by suicide just six months apart.
"We were just completely heartbroken and not sure what to do," Vovata said.
Vovata turned that heartbreak into change. Her nonprofit, Fail Safe for Life, aims to end suicide by educating the community and intervening before a life is taken.
For the last eight years, Vovata has been doing that essential work from her living room.
"We've been operating out of my home since our inception," Vovata said.
This space will be available to these nonprofits starting Thursday, February 22.
Watch 4 News Now all week to track Mark and the Extreme Team's progress! You can also check that out plus more on KXLY+.
PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Extreme Team: Transforming the Women Helping Women Fund
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