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Barbara Tellefson
Unity Shoppe, Inc.
1219 State Street
Santa Barbara , CA 93101 USA
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| Industry: |
Social Services |
| Born: |
April 21, 1936, Dinwiddie, Virginia |
| Current Organization: |
Unity Shoppe, Inc. |
| Type of Organization: |
501 ( c ) ( 3 ) California Public Benefit Corporation |
| Major Product: |
Developed a more efficient way of helping low income people by providing a "Central Distribution Facility" where people can shop for food, clothing, household goods and basic needs. All local non-profits are given the opportunity to refer their qualified low-income clients (children, families, the elderly and the disabled) to the Distribution Center for services at no cost to their agencies or to their clients. People are qualified, documented and duplications are eliminated so more people can be helped with better and more consistent support services during times of crisis. 260 other charities refer over 14,000 unduplicated people year-round for services. Over 2 million dollars in goods are distributed year-round. This allows people to supplement limited incomes while working toward self-sufficiency. Over 70 percent of those sent are in the workplace. Over 1500 local children operate the "free store" where they learn merchandising, inventory control, customer service and office skills for future job opportunities. |
| Area of Distribution: |
Santa Barbara County |
| Expertise: |
Program Development, Fund-raising-Event Coordination; Public Speaking-Volunteer and Employee Training Programs |
| University/Degree: |
High School Degree |
| Title: |
Program Founder, President of the Board and Director of Operations |
| Honors & Awards: |
Santa Barbara Woman of the Year; Soroptimist Woman of Distinction; California State Legislature Women of the Year; Distinguished Service Award by Anti-Defamation League, The University of Notre Dame; California State PTA and the Santa Barbara Business and Professional Women: Letters of Appreciation from Presidents Reagan, Bush and Clinton, Governor Deukmejian, Pete Wilson, Senator Gary Hart, Congressman Robert Lagomarsino and Assemblyman Jack O'Connell. The Unity Shoppe was honored by the Presidents Daily Point of Light Foundation and "Voices to Create Positive Change Award by Charming Shoppe's Inc. in Pennsylvania |
| Published Works: |
Newspaper and magazine articles-television and radio interviews-published book " A 90 Year History of Community Giving " |
| Hobbies & Sports: |
Gardening and Travel |
| Family: |
Married to Clair Tellefson (Chief Engineer for Bardex) |
| Email: |
barbara@unityshoppe.org |
| Website: |
www.unityshoppe.org |
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