September 2025

Greetings, Jim!

Helping Our Women is thriving because of you and your engagement with our community. Whether you volunteer, sometimes read this email, donate, receive services, or you're a community partner - together we are responding to the challenges of living in the geographically remote towns of the Outer Cape that over 325 women face because they need access to healthcare beyond our immediate area. 

This newsletter is packed with updates including: program updates; ticket info about the Jazz Prelude to Oysterfest cocktail party on October 16th; our plans for a tent at Oysterfest; volunteer appreciation sail on the Hindu; and the record-breaking success of the Patio American Grill's Drag Brunch fundraiser and the Provincetown Community Compact's Swim for Life - two organizations that have each supported HOW for over 20 consecutive years. 

While the summer season may be over, we are as busy as ever and I just want you to know how honored I am to be moving forward with you in service of our mission, our community, and the lives of the women we serve - together we are the heart of HOW. - Gwynne

Upcoming Health & Wellness Programs - Open to all women

Check out our September calendar for all our upcoming programs

View & Print the September Program Calendar

HOW Wellness Education Series: Managing Stress & Fear

September 17, 1-3 pm - On-line 

Stress and fear are common and challenging feelings for all of us, especially when we have or are dealing with a health issue. Learn to manage stress and emotions in challenging times. Facilitated by Elise Tofias Phillips, M.Ed., CEO Navigate Health and Wellness Coaching and Consulting. 

Workshop Highlights Include:

• Learn about the stress response cycle and the physiology of stress
• Discover coaching tools like active listening and reflection skills to support yourself and others in need
• Understand the impact stress and fear has on our health and wellness
• Explore positive coping strategies to build resilience

Registration required: Email [email protected] or call 508-487-4357

Kat’s Sound Baths 

Experience Deep Relaxation with Crystal Alchemy Sound Baths. Let the soothing frequencies of Crystal Alchemy Singing Bowls guide you into a state of calm and balance. These immersive sound baths offer a meditative escape that supports your natural healing process, promotes inner peace, and restores equilibrium. 

Whether you're new to sound healing or a returning participant, this gentle experience is a beautiful way to reconnect with yourself and unwind from daily stress. 

You’re welcome to bring a mat and lie down, or sit comfortably in a chair. 

Upcoming Sessions:

• September 11 at 3:00 PM
• September 25 at 10:30 AM
• October 23 at 3:00 PM
• November 6 at 10:30 AM

To register, call 508-487-4357 or email [email protected]

Upcoming Community Events & Fundraisers

A Jazz Prelude to Oysterfest

To Benefit Helping Our Women

Thursday, October 16 at 6:00pm

The Chequessett Club Wellfleet

Join friends on the Outer Cape for this Delightful Cocktail Party as we kick off Oysterfest Weekend!

Buy Your Ticket Today

Come see us at Wellfleet Oysterfest & Buy Your Raffle Ticket to Win 'Winter Sea'

A framed 20x20 Oil Painting by Wellfleet artist Lorrie La Pointe, valued at $2,800. 

Lorrie La Pointe’s work is inspired by the Outer Cape’s natural landscape. She is represented by the AMZehnder Gallery, Wellfleet and is in the permanent collection of The Cape Museum of Art, Yale New Haven Hospital, Bridgeport Hospital and private collections. Lorrie lives in Wellfleet with her husband, Bob, and daughter, Sasha. They farm a six-acre shellfish grant for oysters and clams. 

Tickets available for purchase in person only at the Jewelry Studio of Wellfleet (cash/check only) and at our tent at Wellfleet Oysterfest. Or come to the HOW offices (3 Main Street, Eastham and The Commons, 46 Bradford Street, Provincetown) $10/ticket

HOW Community News

2025 Drag Brunch raises record-breaking $200K! $1 Million over 21 years!

With the $200,000 raised at the 2025 Drag Brunch, HOW can continue providing $100/month to 150+ women to ease the burden of living with a chronic or serious health condition, as well as emergency financial assistance. 

An ENORMOUS THANK YOU to Joachim Sandbichler (HOW Board Member), his husband Mark Ferrari, and the Patio Team for over 21 Years of outreach & fundraising! 

And thanks to our MC Mackenzie who brought many of Provincetown's talented Drag performers to the party!

Volunteer Appreciation Event 8/19: Sailing aboard the Hindu

With deep gratitude, we thank Captain Erin and her all-female crew—Jessie and Jen—for a beautiful sail out of Provincetown Harbor. Thanks to their generosity, 35 HOW volunteers and staff enjoyed meaningful time together on the water, surrounded by sunshine, sea air, and community spirit. 

Thank you to the Hindu and to all our amazing volunteers who make our work possible!

38th Swim for Life - Sept 6

300+ Swimmers raised $300K+ 

Over the past 37 years, the Provincetown Swim for Life has donated more than $960,000 to HOW—and this year over 300 swimmers raised over $300,000 which means the Swim is on track to reach $1 million in direct support for the women we serve! Thank you to the Provincetown Community Compact, all the volunteers from HOW and other nonprofits who made the day a success -- and the swimmers, in Provincetown and Wellfleet, as well as those that swim at home or walk and send in their fundraising contributions!

Summer interns are back at school! 

Please join us in expressing our heartfelt thanks to Faye and Siena for all the incredible work they contributed to HOW this summer. Their dedication and energy made a real impact, and we’re so grateful for their time with us. We wish them all the best as they head back to school—and we hope to welcome them back next summer! 

Thank You, Faye and Siena!

Help Us Keep Things Cozy at Our Fall Fundraiser on October 16th! 

We’re getting ready for our Fall Fundraiser on October 16th, and we’re looking to borrow an outdoor propane space heater to keep guests warm and comfortable. 

If you have one available to lend, please contact Pam at 508-487-4357 ext. 8 or email [email protected]. 

Thank you for supporting our event and helping us create a welcoming space!

Volunteer for HOW

Interested in Supporting HOW Clients as a Volunteer? 

You can make a difference by providing social support to clients, working with staff, or by providing transportation to healthcare appointments on the Cape. Some volunteers work every week and some work on specific events or on periodic projects. A few positions require special background or training but most only require time and compassion. Request for rides is at an all time high! 

Email Lisa at [email protected]

for more information on how to volunteer.