Article Contributed on: 8/17/2008 9:41:15 PM
More than five years ago, one woman made a life change that brought her from a life of poverty and incarceration to one of stability and structure.
Peggy and her husband had abused cocaine for 15 years and were incarcerated for selling drugs to support their habits. With two children to provide for and little else to turn to, Peggy wanted to set goals and take her life in a different direction. Peggy came to the Women's Bean Project in Denver, a social enterprise helping women in poverty get back on their feet.
While at the Women's Bean Project, Peggy met
Sally Allen, a professional organizer based in Golden who helped her and other women set goals, manage time, paper and money through organizational workshops.
"Each session brings something new and valuable to the women to improve their life skills. I also love the problem solving that goes on among the women," said Allen, who last year received the National Association of Professional Organizers service award for her involvement with the Women's Bean Project and other non-profits.
Allen, owner of A Place for Everything, LLC (www.aplaceforeverythingllc.com), assesses environments and habits, then creates systems and maintenance programs to build clutter-free home and workplace environments.
"By learning organizational skills, the women can begin to get the chaos out of their lives and focus on the skills needed to get and keep a job," said Tamra Ryan, executive director of the Women's Bean Project.
As a result of her participation and training at the Women's Bean Project, Peggy was hired by the Women's Bean Project as a mentor for new program participants. She and her husband are back together with their children, have their own apartment and have been clean for several years. Peggy also completed her GED with the help of the Women's Bean Project and has completely turned her life around.
Allen is volunteering for the fourth consecutive year to present her workshops, "Making Time Work for You, Overcoming the Time Bandit," to Women's Bean Project participants to demonstrate practical ways to help create better lives for themselves and their families.
Allen gives customized organizing workshops to corporations, seniors and their families, and other groups. In all of her workshops, she teaches basic organizing principles so people can unclutter their lives and clearly focus on their goals. For more information on her seminars, contact sa@aplaceforeverythingllc.com or 303-526-5357.