Hi! My name is Chloe Penwell and Project Night Light is a project I started as a high school student in San Francisco to support women and teens entering domestic violence shelters. When someone leaves a dangerous situation, the first night in a shelter can be one of the hardest moments of their life. It can feel frightening, uncertain, and overwhelming. Many shelters are doing everything they can, but they often do not have enough funding to provide every essential item a new arrival may need that first night. I wanted to do something meaningful to help make that experience a little less stressful and a little more comforting.

Through this fundraiser, I am raising money to create First Night Kits for women and teens arriving at shelters. Each kit will include thoughtful essentials and small comforts such as a bag, a cozy teddy bear, a handwritten note of encouragement, pajamas, socks, period products, deodorant, dental products, and a hairbrush. These items may seem simple, but they can help someone feel cared for, dignified, and safe during a very vulnerable time.

My hope is that each kit brings a sense of warmth and support to someone starting over. Every donation, no matter the size, will help me put together more kits and reach more women and teens in need. Thank you for supporting Chloe’s Nightlight and helping make a difficult first night feel a little brighter.