As Sacramento nonprofit Women’s Empowerment celebrates its 20th anniversary year empowering women and children experiencing homelessness, community members are invited to enjoy take-out meals from local restaurants on Sept. 30 at 6:30pm for the group’s virtual gala fundraiser. The event is sponsored in part by the Poswall Family Foundation and will include a 20th anniversary video featuring graduates from the past two decades, live auction and award presentation. The annual gala is the organization’s largest fundraiser of the year, raising a fifth of the group’s budget.
Anyone can watch the virtual gala at no cost but should RSVP to receive an early look at auction items. Those who purchase a VIP ticket for $200 will receive a meal for two from their choice of Alaro Craft Brewery, Mulvaney’s B&L or Matteo’s. Meals will include starters, entrées, dessert, and wine or cocktails to enjoy at home while streaming the gala online. Those who become host partners at $1,500 can host up to 10 people, receiving meals from the restaurants, as well as a snack platter, centerpiece and more. Community members also are needed to sponsor graduates at $100 so they can attend a backyard dinner the night of the gala to safely celebrate their success together. To purchase tickets, sponsor a graduate or RSVP, visit womens-empowerment.ejoinme.org/WEGala. Ticket and sponsorship sales close Sept. 13.
“This is a night to gather our incredible community that has made it possible for two decades of women and children to overcome homelessness in the face of daunting hurdles,” said Lisa Culp, executive director, Women’s Empowerment. “As we move into our next decade of work, we carry with us a pandemic and housing crisis. We will need every resource possible to ensure we can continue as a community to support our graduates as they work to rise from homelessness amidst formidable circumstances. Community members who purchase gala tickets will help jumpstart our financial resources for the next decade.”
Celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, Women’s Empowerment provides a nine-week employment-readiness and empowerment program, paid job training, childcare and support services so women and their children can break the cycle of homelessness. Women’s Empowerment offers the most comprehensive job-readiness program in the Sacramento area designed specifically for women experiencing homelessness and their children. Eighty-two percent of graduates secure a job or enroll in school. Despite the housing crisis, 75 percent regain a safe home for themselves and their children. The award-winning organization has graduated 1,710 women and their 3,802 children. Women’s Empowerment is funded through grants and private donations from the community. To make a donation, visit Womens-Empowerment.org.