Sundari Foundation, Inc.
Rating: 5 stars 23 23 reviews 3,230
Address:
217 NW 15th Street Miami FL 33136 USA
Mission:
The Sundari Foundation is a 501c3 non-profit, non-denominational public charity, dedicated to the education, advancement and social inclusion of poor, disadvantanged and homeless women and children. The first initiative of the Foundation was the establishment of the Lotus House Women’s Shelter in the heart of Overtown, Miami, an area suffering from profound poverty and urban blight in one of the poorest large cities in the United States. Lotus House is a unique women's resource center and residential facility serving women who are homeless or at risk of being homeless, whether due to domestic violence, untreated medical or mental illness, disability, loss of employment, or other economic reasons. For many women, it is the shelter of last resort, as time spent in temporary shelters does not afford them an opportunity to address untreated medical and mental health issues, obtain employment, and save the funds needed to secure affordable housing. This is not a typical short term shelter, but a place where the minds, bodies and spirits of women most in need are nurtured and supported to empower them to improve the quality of their lives on every level, achieve greater self sufficiency, and transition to permanent homes off the streets.
Geographic areas served:
Miami Dade County, Florida
Programs:
Operation of residential facility and resource center, known as lotus house women's shelter, providing free shelter, holistic support services and access to wide range of community resources for homeless women and children, including: food, clothing, counseling, job readiness training and educational workshops, access to medical and mental health treatment, pre-natal care, birthing and parenting classes, infant supplies, and a host of enrichment of activities. Facility serves approximately 350+ homeless women and children each year. After its initial formation, the foundation concentrated its efforts on providing relief to homeless, poor, distressed and disadvantaged women and children. It established lotus house as a prototype women's resource center and transitional housing facility, providing basic human services and resources to homeless, poor, distressed and disadvantaged women in miami-dade county. It elected not to further pursue assistance to the school project of the theodore gibson foundation, which was in the planning stages.
through its wholly owned subsidiary lotus house thrift, llc, the foundation has established a work program and community outreach thrift shop benefiting lotus house women's shelter, providing job training, clothing and furnishings for homeless, poor, distressed and disadvantaged women in furtherance of the foundation's charitable and educational purposes.
through its wholly owned subsidiary lotus wellness center, llc, the foundation established a free, volunteer, health and wellness clinic in furtherance of the foundation's charitable and educational purposes.
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Reviews for Sundari Foundation, Inc.
9 people found this review helpful
I have seen how well the resident's do after living at the two homes run by the Sundari Foundation. They receive job training, counseling, parenting skills and many other things.
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I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
many ways.
How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
About every six months
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2010-4-01
9 people found this review helpful
The Lotus House Women's Shelter is a unique, immensely supportive community environment for homeless women in Miami-Dade County. It provides not only a place to stay and food to eat, but also one-on-one daily wrap around services with each guest in order to help these women gain steady income and become self-sufficient with stable housing and resources. I have personaly seen women who were left with nothing as the result of domestic violence, illness or poverty go through Lotus House's program to obtain housing and dependable income. Lotus House is helping women daily change their lives and get back on their feet. It is a wonderful organization.
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I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
working with the women and staff of this organization, and seeing them go through their program to achieve self-sufficiency.
How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
About every week
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2009-1-01
8 people found this review helpful
Being a volunteer at Lotus House has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. We have fun lessons, while learning a language that it is key for their prospective job career. Women and kids are the integration center of any family. At the shelter, you can feel they are a large, whole, and powerful family, where every one has their own responsabilites and support each other. The staff and President, are always available at the shelter, ready to serve and help at any moment, facing the challanges with such a positive attitude, always with a BIG SMILE!! They are an example for all of us, I am so privilaged to be able to participate and be of service in whatever way I can! In todays society, I just wish children and teenagers new more about this project...
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I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
Some of the women I have had as students of spanish, have already found a job, about to become independent from the shelter, and using spanish in their job...good for them!!!
How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
About every week
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2010-6-01
8 people found this review helpful
My wife and I heard abut Lotus House from someone we know that is familiar with the type of program Lotus House uses to assist women in need. It caught our attention and we visited the House and talked to its leader and got to meet some of the employees and volunteers. Lotus House approach to serve is unique in the sense that helps women with different needs to spend time in the House for a period long enough that lets redirect their lives. It is not a short term shelter to assist in short term basic needs. The women are supported in dealing with their particular need, trained to move forward in terms of employment, they get the message that they are important and that the House is not a quick fix. When you visit the House you feel a sense of peace and love, you see that the people there both the women guests, volunteers and staff really have a common purpose. It is refreshing to see that places like this exist in the middle of the very confused world we live in today. Vivian/Ralph Morera
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I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
Visiting various times to experience the work being done.
How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
About every six months
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2010-4-01
9 people found this review helpful
I first learned about the Lotus House in 2007. I volunteered there for part of a semester for a project in my Women & Leadership course. From my first visit to the property, I was moved. The environment and atmosphere was a calming one, especially in a neighborhood like Overtown. After my semester project, I knew that I wasn't finished with the Lotus House. My heart knew that this organization was a jewel of an organization, and I couldn't wait to get involved again. With the love and help of the Women's Studies student organizations at Florida International University, we coordinated several clothing drives and volunteered at some of their fabulous events to support the Lotus House. I think that it is important that the women that have the opportunity to partake in what the Lotus House has to offer--whether resident, staff, or volunteer--has the opportunity to experience a positive transformation for the body, mind, and soul.
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I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
Empowering the women residents (and alumni) to be part of the their solution. I like that the women take responsibility for the Lotus House's daily activities and participate in all events benefiting the foundation.
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
I don't have any negative feedback for the Sundari Foundation. What I would like to see, in due time, are more organizations like the Lotus House/Sundari Foundation or another home in a location of women in need.
What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
they welcome you with open arms and are truly appreciative of whatever you have to offer.
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
all so kind. And with such a positive spirit that I haven't seen in any other organization.
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
open Lotus House's all over!!! How fantastic would that be for women (and children) in need of attention to their entire being: body, mind, and soul.
Ways to make it better...
I could make more of a time commitment to the Lotus House.
In my opinion, the biggest challenges facing this organization are...
funding.
One thing I'd also say is that...
How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
About every six months
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2010-5-01
7 people found this review helpful
Making art as an adult requires a certain amount of bravery and a willingness to take risks. The rewards are complex and spiritual but the challenges sometimes seem daunting and the justifications for so much time and energy often frivolous. Not so at the Lotus House. As we hang out with the ladies and draw or paint or tie-dye or just gossip while struggling with beading or duct tape or whatever materials we are transforming, some kind of wonderful open aura of ideas and "making" floats around the space. We are all bliss-ed out together by reinventing something. Everyone there is full of talent of one sort or another and many unexpected ideas flow out while we get our hands dirty. Maybe it's the fact that women sitting together start to bond with little coaxing. How can you ignore such a wonderful refuge and resource? Women who leave the Lotus House after their healing experience become productive compassionate much evolved members of society. Bravo.
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I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
so many ways it's difficult to describe. I have made many new friends that I visit often. They are back in the world and we are lucky to have them.
How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
About every week
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2010-5-01
8 people found this review helpful
The Lotus House shelter is a warm and caring space where women in need can find the resources they need to help them get back on their feet. They provide a broad variety of services for the clients in all areas, mind, body & spirit. I am impressed with the whole approach and commitment of the staff. It is a wonderful place filled with hope.
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I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
I have seen women come in distraught and leave empowered to build better lives for themselves.
What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
seeing women become empowered to better their lives.
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
selfless and giving.
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
expand their staff and facility so that all homeless women would have an opportunity to regain their power!
How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
About every week
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2010-5-01
1 person found this review helpful
This organization works. Philosophically sound, the Lotus House theory put into practice has enabled many women to find their center and come to a place where they can support themselves and often, their babies. Everyone participates from residents to volunteers to staff in sensible, practical harmony that produces concrete results; empowering individuals & enabling them to not only survive, but in many cases thrive, in the general community after they move on from the shelter.
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I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
Speaking to women who return to volunteer and share in the Lotus House community.
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
Enable it to grow past the one center.
What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
how much I learn every time I am there.
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
Saavy, relaxed and self-confident. No one has to be a protagonist because this is a community.
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
Maintain the same fiscal responsibility and expand to other neighborhoods.
Ways to make it better...
I were able to spend more time there.
In my opinion, the biggest challenges facing this organization are...
Resources during a rought economy.
One thing I'd also say is that...
The founder/leader is key. Although she doesn't take the spotlight, the visionary behind this organization will leave a legacy that I trust will carry on for generations.
How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
About every month
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2010-1-01
1 person found this review helpful
I have never seen women undergo such positive transformations by being part of an organization as I have seen at Lotus House.
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I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
many ways. Particullarly through the interaction with the women of the shelter. they also have an annual art event where the women participate that si spectacular. I have also experienced through their thrift store where I have purchased some items.
How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
About every six months
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2009-12-01
1 person found this review helpful
The experience I have had with the women and volunteers at the Lotus House have always been so positive. The shelter helps so many women and babies and I am happy to donat all that I can to help them. The volunteers are very helpful and appreciative.
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I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
I have seen the women look cared for and safe in their environment. The positive reinforcement, job training, good nutrition and health care make this shelter invaluable to the commumity.
How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
About every month
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2010-5-01
