Kate's Island Shop

Women for Women International 
Kate’s Island Shop is inspired by the brave work of this organization. We are in awe of the resilience of the survivors, by the increasing attention being brought to this issue, and the hope that we are beginning to achieve change. 
Since 1993, Women for Women International has helped more than 478,000 marginalized women in countries affected by war and conflict. They serve women in 8 countries by offering support, tools, and access to life-changing skills to move from crisis and poverty to stability and economic self-sufficiency. 
With 400 staff and trainers around the world, this global team is united in their belief that stronger women build stronger nations, and is committed to helping women achieve their goals and realize their dreams, by listening to and working directly with them to ensure their programs respond to their needs.
The mission of Women for Women International is to bring women together in a safe space to learn life, business, and vocational skills. 
Women increase their ability to earn an income with new skills that are in-demand. They learn about their legal rights, and become knowledgeable about health and nutrition. The result: stronger, self-sufficient women who are able to create sustainable change for themselves, their families, and their community.
Women are at the center of their approach, working with those living in the hardest places in the world, helping them realize their own power. Through in-depth assessments, they target ultra-poor and vulnerable women then meet them where they are. 
Some statistics to consider:
1 in 3 women still experience sexual violence globally. At its root is a lack of understanding of how brutally devastating sexual violence and abuse is – alongside the systemic undervaluing of women. 
Worldwide, as many as 650 million women alive today married before they turned 18.
At least 200 million women and girls aged 15-49 have undergone female genital mutilation in the 30 countries with representative data on prevalence. In most of these countries, the majority of girls were cut before age five. More than 20 million women and girls in just seven countries (Egypt, Sudan, Guinea, Djibouti, Kenya, Yemen and Nigeria) have undergone female genital mutilation by a health care provider.

Approximately 15 million adolescent girls (aged 15 to 19) worldwide have experienced forced sex (forced sexual intercourse or other sexual acts) at some point in their life. In the vast majority of countries, adolescent girls are most at risk of forced sex by a current/former husband, partner or boyfriend. Based on data from 30 countries, only one percent ever sought professional help
We are a women owned business whose mission is to not only uplift and encourage the women we encounter on a daily basis, but to be a voice for women who cannot speak for themselves, and our goal is to live in a world where human suffering is nonexistent. Sunday, March 8th is International Women’s Day, and we are asking you to encourage women in your area by supporting their businesses. Or, go to www.womenforwomen.org to learn more about supporting globally. Together, we can be the change...

Pet Network Humane Society ​

Pet Network is a grass roots organization that was formed to eliminate the suffering of unwanted animals on the North Shore of Lake Tahoe. Volunteers started bringing cats and dogs from the Tahoe Vista Shelter into their homes and cleaned, groomed, and fed them; nursing them until they were restored to health and ready for adoption. The founders and other volunteers posted flyers of the adoptable animals and eventually printed a newsletter called the Pet Connection. Operating with a few donations, they continued fostering animals, always with the goal of having their own adoption building. In 1991 their dream came true, and Pet Network became a corporation. 

A home is not complete until you share it with a pet. Pet Network Humane Society saves the lives of innocent, abandoned dogs and cats, and bring joy to those who open their hearts and homes to adopt these animals. For over twenty years, Pet Network has rescued animals from overcrowded public shelters where they face euthanasia. They provide medical care, sterilization, and safe shelter while volunteers comfort and socialize their four-legged residents until each one finds its new family. No animal runs out of time at their shelter.

Through compassion, respect and responsibility this wonderful organization provides professional programs and services that benefit animals and people in our community.

Pet Network also has education programs that teach children about responsible pet ownership while working to reduce the overpopulation of unwanted pets.

 Our love of animals is no secret, and Kate’s Island Shop is proud to support this organization and will donate a portion of our proceeds for the month of February to these amazing humans. Check out all of the beautiful animals who need of forever homes at http://petnetwork.org/ Together, we can be the change...

​My Two Front Teeth & The Family Giving Tree


When we heard the name of this great organization, My Two Front Teeth.Org we were so excited to share it with you all this holiday season. This Bay Area non-profit organization reaches out to needy children during the holidays to fulfill Christmas wishes. However, my staff and I were brought to tears when we discovered that this small non-profit merged with a bigger non-profit called The Family Giving Tree, and that the possibilities would be phenomenal! 


My Two Front Teeth is an organization that teams up with local giving trees and creates an online presence allowing givers to play Santa to those in need all over.  The selfless reason they merged with The Family Giving Tree was simple: by merging and combining resources, talent and expertise, they would be able to reach even more needy children in need during the holidays season. 


The Family Giving Tree began in 1990 as a San Jose State University MBA class project. Two students, Jennifer Cullenbine and Todd Yoshida were asked to “create a program that adds value to someone else’s life.” They created the Family Giving Tree with the hope of providing holiday gifts to 300 children in East Palo Alto. Fueled by the success of their first year, Jennifer decided to continue and expand the organization. Now, In the 20th year of the program’s existence, the total number of gifts and backpacks donated had grown to over 700,000, making the Family Giving Tree the largest gift and backpack donation program in California.


The names and exact wishes of children are collected and printed on wish cards. These cards are then shared with people in the community who select one (or more) wish cards and take pleasure in shopping and fulfilling the wish.  Leaders then collect these gifts and drop them at the organization’s warehouse where they are sorted and organized for pick-up by agencies and schools. See our Journey Of A Wish for a visual representation of this process.  Each child gets to actually choose their own toy/gift! Remember when you were a kid and would pore through the Sunday paper in search of the latest toy advertisements during the holidays? Well, this organization allows these children to do exactly that! And then they guarantee that they will get exactly what they want, not just charity gifts which might be chosen and distributed at random. 


Kate’s Island Shop has set a goal of providing making 30 children’s dreams come true this Christmas! Help us make this goal a reality by purchasing in-store or online! Together we will be the change we want to see in the world!

The holiday season is a time for enjoying time with your family and friends, not for stressing out.  But stress seems to be unavoidable when you’re rushing around everywhere, trying to juggle decorating, shopping for the perfect gifts, figuring out travel plans, hosting parties, and just feeding your family. By shifting your thoughts and making yourself a priority, you can enjoy the holiday season more and freak out a little less!

Remember what the season is about.
Try to remember that the holidays aren’t about gifts, lights or the perfect party dress. They’re about celebrating something special with loved ones. So sit back, relax, and enjoy the people you are with. Try to be in the moment while you are surrounded by those most important to you.

Prioritize your priorities
Figure out what your priorities are. Take some time to get clear about what’s most important to you during the holidays...spending quality time with loved ones perhaps? Remember those closest to you spell love T-I- M-E

Adjust your expectations
Adjusting your expectations and perspective is important to simplify the holidays. Stop aiming for a Pinterest perfect Christmas...it’s not realistic and will only leave you exhausted and disappointed. Let go of your unrealistic expectations and keep your focus on your priorities and what matters most to you. Your friends and family won’t remember (or care) if you had five different kinds of cookies. But, they will remember spending a fun night laughing, talking and enjoying your company

Stick to a budget
Before you go gift and food shopping, decide how much money you can afford to spend. Then stick to your budget. Don't try to buy happiness with an avalanche of gifts.
Try these alternatives:
* Donate to a charity in someone's name.
* Give homemade gifts.
* Start a family gift exchange.

Take a breather
Make some time for yourself. Spending just 15 minutes alone, without distractions, may refresh you enough to handle everything you need to do. Find something that reduces stress by clearing your mind, slowing your breathing and restoring inner calm.
Some options may include:
* Taking a walk at night and stargazing.
* Listening to soothing music.
* Getting a massage.
* Reading a book.

Focus on GRATITUDE
Remembering to focus on gratitude can go a long way to shift your perspective during the holidays. Actively look for things to be grateful for. Take the time to notice and appreciate the simple joys during the holidays.
Remember, you and your family’s holiday memories probably won’t be about who got what, or how many dessert options there were. What will be remembered is the time spent together.

Thank you for being family, near and far...Happy Holidays from Kate’s, wherever you are! ​

Let me tell you the story...
I went to Walley World, you know the Mart of Walls that carries pretty much everything? Yeah, that one. I've been dying for a new TV, so this was the day I decided to go. Man, oh, man was it packed in there... I felt my bubble instantly popped as I slowly walked through the sea of people. Apparently there's no such thing as elbow room on Black Friday. After what it felt like an hour, I finally reached the TV I wanted, and then I swiftly made my way to the front of the store. If walking to the electronics section seemed like an hour, waiting in line felt like being at the DMV! There was like a wave of impatience that hit me & then rippled towards the end of the line. It was definitely not just me who felt this way. I let out a big sigh of relief as I finally make it to the beginning of the line. I felt so proud of myself for  making it through all that chaos. I excitedly exited the store to my car but suddenly, something put me in shock...
A car with no headlights on was quickly coming towards my way! I was like a dear in headlights, although in this case theirs was off. In the split moment I gained some senses back, "MOVE!" was all I thought to myself. I heard the tire screech, & I felt like my heart was ready to pop out of my chest. I finally let go of my cart & ran to save myself but luckily the guy stopped just in the nick of time! Such a relief. 

 Life is truly valuable & nothing is worth replacing it with. That's why we're giving you the option to do some relaxed shopping from the comfort of your home. No dreadful lines, no dealing with the rush, and zero opportunities for you to get ran over!

Hocus, Pocus, & Refocus​
​Tap into the spirit of Halloween by being playful, imaginative and child-like. Doing fun poses brings us out of our shells, just like dressing up!

Some of these poses helps to sculpt muscles and will help burn off all that candy!