Wine Country Times

Marianne Estournes, board member and chair of the Maintenance Committee at Women’s Recovery Services (WRS) in Santa Rosa, said the nonprofit is seeking financial help to improve its Children's Program by renovating their outdated playground that no longer meets county safety requirements. Estournes gave her statement to Wine Country Times on Aug. 5.

"WRS does its best to provide full-life experiences for the women who come to us for their recovery," said Estournes. "They work hard in their program as they create a new life of stability and love with their children. A safe place to gather, play, relax and grow is a unique, but important, part of their program and we strive to provide it for them. A new playground at WRS will greatly enhance our program in so many ways."

The goal of WRS is to break the cycle of addiction for women by providing a safe, healthy residence that allows neglected children to remain with their mothers through the recovery process, according to its website.

According to Estournes, WRS is lacking a safe outdoor space for their child residents to play, which she described as "critical for a child to mature, learn and blossom." She said the current play area does not meet county safety requirements due to poor drainage, outdated equipment, and built-in hazards. The playground surface is made of dirt, making it muddy in the winter and dusty in the summer. Additionally, there are many exposed roots from a nearby Monterey pine tree, creating tripping hazards for both children and adults.

WRS applied for a grant in April from an anonymous local foundation, a local grantmaker that supports children with developmental disabilities. According to WRS Executive Director Diane Madrigal, who wrote the letter for the application, the grant would provide $62,957 to renovate the space into a playground with updated surface material, leveled pathways, new equipment and age-appropriate features. WRS is still waiting on a response from the foundation.

Despite those funds, Estournes said that the grant, if approved, would not cover the cost of removing the hazardous pine tree and that funds will have to be raised in other ways to remove it. "Our agency is grateful to the community of supporters who help enormously with our programs and overall function," she said. "Any financial assistance with this critical piece or any part of our overall project would be of benefit to us."

As chair of the Maintenance Committee, Estournes oversees the immediate short- and long-term maintenance needs of the four WRS facilities. She is also one of two board members who established WRS’ newest program called Weekend Discoveries. For more information visit https://womensrecoveryservices.org.