Compassion in Action: A Behind-the-Scenes Look at Healing Vine Harbor
At Healing Vine Harbor, we often highlight our TALK Workshops, mentoring programs, and the stories of women who have overcome incredible obstacles. Some of the most meaningful moments, however, happen quietly behind the scenes through simple acts of care.
While our Executive Director, Tracey Questell, is in New York supporting her family this season, our team is rallying around her in the same way she so often rallies around others. Instead of asking her to write the Executive Director’s message, our staff stepped in to share the heart of this work and the stories of the women whose lives are changing every day.
To do this well, I sat down with Victoria Muñiz Randall, our Program Coordinator and Social Worker, to hear firsthand what compassion looks like in everyday practice. What she shared reminded me why Healing Vine Harbor exists and why your support matters so much.
Victoria and two outstanding social work interns, Kate and Maddison, are currently walking alongside 22 women who are navigating some of the most challenging seasons of their lives. Here is what that support looks like.
Showing Up After Hours
One client could only meet in the evening after a long day of work and caregiving. Victoria met her for coffee at the time that worked best for her and sat with her for two hours while she talked through her fears and hopes.
Support does not always look like a formal appointment. Sometimes it is simply being present, listening closely, and helping someone feel seen.
Restoring Dignity in Small, Tangible Ways
Another client was overwhelmed by a cluttered room and did not know where to begin. Victoria scheduled time to go to her home and help her sort, organize, and create a space where she could breathe again.
Healing often begins with dignity, and sometimes that begins with a clean room and a caring presence beside you.
Addressing Unsafe Living Conditions
One woman living alone was paying $876 a month for a one-bedroom apartment, yet she was dealing with drifting cigarette smoke from neighbors and a persistent pest issue. It was more than an inconvenience. It affected her health, her sleep, and her ability to heal.
Victoria and Tracey visited her home, inspected the space, identified cracks where pests and smoke were entering, cleaned the area, and sealed what they could. When Tracey noticed drafty windows, she returned with plastic coverings to help keep the cold out.
Many women in our community are fighting invisible battles like this one. At Healing Vine Harbor, no one faces them alone.
Making Sure No One Goes Hungry
Healing Vine Harbor partners with agencies across the county to ensure clients have access to food resources. Independence is an important part of our model, yet life does not always cooperate. Transportation can fall through. Work schedules change. Family responsibilities increase.
When this happens, our team steps in. Tracey, Victoria, Kate, or Maddison will pick up food on a client’s behalf and deliver it when everyone’s schedule allows.
No woman in our care will go without food. That is part of our promise.
This Is the Healing Vine Harbor Family
This is what it means to meet people where they are, emotionally and physically.
It is compassion in action.
It is kinship made real.
It is the heartbeat of Healing Vine Harbor.
We share the transformation that happens through our TALK Workshops and mentoring programs, but we have not always shared the small, quiet acts of love that take place between those moments. Our team — Tracey, Victoria, Kate, and Maddison — pours their hearts into this work.
Will You Support Healing Vine Harbor This Holiday Season?
As we enter this season of gratitude and giving, we invite you to help sustain this deeply human work.
Your donation provides:
emergency support
transportation assistance
1:1 guidance from trained social workers
stable pathways to housing and independence
Every gift matters. Every dollar provides immediate support to women rebuilding their lives.
You can give here: Healing Vine Harbor | Kindful
You can also purchase items from our Amazon.com Wish List.
If you have already donated this year, thank you. Please consider sharing this post with someone in your network who may want to support this mission.
Thank You for Standing With Us
Thank you for believing in this work and for standing with us in compassion and kinship.
We wish you and your family a warm and peaceful Thanksgiving week.
With gratitude,
MaryBeth Simon
Marketing Coordinator
Healing Vine Harbor
P.S. Do You Have a Story of Compassion in Action?
If you do, we would love to share it. Email us at Admin@healingvineharbor.com, and I will help you bring it to life.