Women’s Empowerment Receives $100,000 from Kelly Foundation

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A representative from the Kelly Foundation presents a check for $100,000 to Women’s Empowerment

Women’s Empowerment has received a grant of $100,000 from the Kelly Foundation for their work to empower women experiencing homelessness to find jobs with upward mobility and a home they can afford now until they can secure permanent housing during the ongoing housing crisis in Sacramento.  

“The Kelly Foundation has been a long-time partner of Women’s Empowerment, and we are grateful to receive one of their largest grants to help unhoused women secure safe homes for their families as rent prices rise and housing availability falls,” said Lisa Culp, executive director, Women’s Empowerment.

Grant funds will support Women’s Empowerment’s quarterly two-month program where each woman works one-on-one with a social worker, housing specialist and employment specialist. She attends classes and support groups and receives free transportation assistance, onsite childcare, meals at no cost and more. Funding also will assist the nonprofit’s lifetime services for graduates, including counseling, job search and retention support, financial assistance, paid job training and more. Program graduates can receive paid training in a variety of industries including property management, healthcare, solar energy, mobility, manufacturing and more. Grant funds also will support the group’s Trellis Gardens transitional workforce housing program where graduates who have secured employment, but still cannot afford market-rate housing for their families, can live in cottages for 12-18 months as they work to increase income, savings and credit scores and prepare to move into permanent housing.

Women’s Empowerment offers the most comprehensive job-readiness program in the Sacramento area designed specifically to help women break the generational cycle of homelessness for themselves and their children. In 2024, 155 graduates secured employment or enrolled in advanced training or school, and 89% of graduates maintained or improved their housing. Since 2001, 1,920 women have graduated from the program with more than 4,000 children. Women’s Empowerment is funded through private donations from the community and grants. To make a donation: Womens-Empowerment.org.

The Kelly Foundation envisions a Greater Sacramento region where everyone has a chance to live in a safe and affordable home; access to meaningful work, a sustainable environment, healthy food, and quality education; and where each person’s ability to thrive is connected to the well-being of the community. The Kelly Foundation was founded in 1988. In 2009, the River City Bank Foundation merged with the Kelly Foundation. For more information: KellyFoundationSacramento.org. 

Women’s Empowerment Receives $50K from Anthem Blue Cross

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Women’s Empowerment has received a grant of $50,000 from Anthem Blue Cross Foundation to provide substance use recovery and mental health support to unhoused women in Sacramento so they can find safe homes and employment.  

“We have a deep understanding of the complex issues that lead to homelessness, including substance use and mental health, and how they work together to impact employment and housing,” said Lisa Culp, executive director, Women’s Empowerment. “We are grateful to Anthem Blue Cross Foundation for prioritizing recovery and mental health so more resources will be available to women in our community who are working to break the cycle of homelessness.”

Women’s Empowerment provides women in the program with trauma-informed counseling, mental health support, access to mental health resources and referrals for substance use treatment so they can gain a home and employment. The local nonprofit offers onsite therapeutic substance use treatment and community support through its weekly Wellness and Recovery Support Group for women in the program. Women also work with staff housing and employment specialists to find homes and employment.

“Substance use disorders continue to be a public health challenge that’s taking too big of a toll in our communities across the state and right here in Sacramento County,” said Beth Andersen, president, Anthem Blue Cross Commercial Plan. “Along with partners like Women’s Empowerment, we continue to take a holistic approach and invest in the mental health and well-being in our communities, particularly with a focus on helping those who are struggling with a substance use disorder.” 

Women’s Empowerment provides a two-month employment-readiness and empowerment program, paid job training, childcare and support services so women and their children can break the generational cycle of homelessness. The nonprofit offers the most comprehensive job-readiness program in the Sacramento area designed specifically for women experiencing homelessness and their children. In 2023, 165 jobs were secured by graduates, and 189 women either secured or maintained housing. Since 2001, 1,903 women have graduated from the program with more than 4,000 children. Women’s Empowerment is funded through private donations from the community and grants. To make a donation: Womens-Empowerment.org.

The Anthem Blue Cross Foundation, an independent licensee of the Blue Cross Association, is a philanthropic arm of the Elevance Health Foundation. The foundation works to address health equity by focusing on improving the health of the socially vulnerable through strategic partnerships and programs in communities with an emphasis on maternal child health, mental health, and food as medicine. Additionally, the foundation responds to disasters when communities need it most. The foundation coordinates the company’s year-round Dollars for Dollars program, which provides a 100% match of associates’ donations, as well as its Volunteer Time Off and Dollars for Doers community service programs. ®ANTHEM is a registered trademark of Elevance Health. The Blue Cross names and symbol are registered marks of the Blue Cross Association. To learn more about the Anthem Blue Cross Foundation and the Elevance Health Foundation, visit www.elevancehealth.foundation and www.medium.com/elevancehealthfoundation. 

Women’s Empowerment Holds Holiday Gift Drive

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A Women’s Empowerment graduate in a Santa hat makes beaded bracelets as holiday gifts with her grandson at the annual Holiday Craft Party

Local residents can spread holiday cheer to Sacramento women and children who have experienced homelessness by contributing to Women’s Empowerment’s annual Holiday Drive. The nonprofit is seeking fully assembled gift bags that include a $25 Target and Walmart gift card, winter hat, socks and holiday candy. Assembled gift bags are needed for for all ages from infant to adult. For those who prefer to make a financial donation, the average cost of a gift bag is $40, but any amount is helpful. Items also can be purchased individually through the group’s Amazon wishlist at www.womens-empowerment.org.  Items are needed at Women’s Empowerment, 1590 North A Street in Sacramento, by Dec. 11. 

“These gift bags provide warm and celebratory items for the women and children in our programs during the holiday season, but they also demonstrate that they have a community of love and support encouraging them as they work to break the generational cycle of homelessness,” said Lisa Culp, executive director, Women’s Empowerment.

Items will be distributed to families at Women’s Empowerment’s upcoming Holiday Craft Party in mid-December where women and children will create gifts for family and friends. At the event, mothers also will have the opportunity to choose gifts for their children, thanks to a toy drive held by California State Assemblymember Kevin McCarty, District 6. 

Women’s Empowerment provides a two-month employment-readiness and empowerment program, paid job training, childcare and support services so women and their children can break the generational 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. In 2023, 165 jobs were secured by graduates, and 189 women either secured or maintained housing. Since 2001, 1,903 women have graduated from Women’s Empowerment with their 4,000 children. Women’s Empowerment is funded through private donations from the community and grants. To make a donation: Womens-Empowerment.org.

Women’s Empowerment Receives $60K from U.S. Bank

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Graduates from Women’s Empowerment’s latest job readiness session gather after their ceremony in September

Women’s Empowerment has received a $60,000 contribution from U.S. Bank to provide Sacramento women experiencing homelessness with job-readiness programs, paid job training and transitional workforce housing so they can secure employment with upward mobility as they work toward affording permanent housing.

“U.S. Bank continues to be an important partner in our work,” said Lisa Culp, executive director, Women’s Empowerment. “We are grateful for this contribution to support unhoused women as they search for permanent homes during the ongoing housing crisis.” 

Each woman in Women’s Empowerment’s initial two-month employment-readiness and empowerment program receives free transportation assistance and childcare for children up to age 5 in the group’s onsite child development center. She works one on one with a social worker, housing specialist, employment specialist and volunteer career mentor, and attends a range of classes on job-readiness, empowerment and more. 

Graduates of the two-month program can enroll in Women’s Empowerment’s paid job training programs in manufacturing, property management, mobility, solar energy, medical assisting and more. Women’s Empowerment also offers its Trellis Gardens transitional workforce housing program for graduates who have secured employment, but still cannot afford market-rate housing for their families. At Trellis Gardens, they can live in cottages for 12-18 months as they work to increase income, savings and credit scores and prepare to move into permanent housing.

“Supporting the development of a dynamic workforce is an investment in today and our future,” said Ashley Bocek, community affairs manager, U.S. Bank. “We’re proud to work with organizations like Women’s Empowerment to help people succeed in their careers, gain greater financial literacy and build thriving communities.” 

In 2023, 165 jobs were secured by Women’s Empowerment graduates, and 189 graduates secured or maintained housing. Since 2001, 1,903 women have graduated from the program with more than 4,000 children. Women’s Empowerment is funded through private donations from the community and grants. To make a donation: Womens-Empowerment.org.

U.S. Bancorp, with more than 70,000 employees and $686 billion in assets as of September 30, 2024, is the parent company of U.S. Bank National Association. Headquartered in Minneapolis, the company serves millions of customers locally, nationally and globally through a diversified mix of businesses including consumer banking, business banking, commercial banking, institutional banking, payments and wealth management. U.S. Bancorp has been recognized for its approach to digital innovation, community partnerships and customer service, including being named one of the 2024 World’s Most Ethical Companies and Fortune’s most admired superregional bank. Learn more: usbank.com/about.

Women’s Empowerment Receives $50K from Yocha Dehe Community Fund

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Women’s Empowerment Executive Director Lisa Culp meets with a program graduate at her home in the nonprofit’s Trellis Gardens transitional workforce housing program

Women’s Empowerment has received a grant of $50,000 from the Yocha Dehe Community Fund to provide transitional workforce housing for Sacramento women experiencing homelessness with their families.  

“We are so grateful for the generosity of the Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation and their commitment to ensuring women who are working and have children also have safe, affordable housing as they work to increase their salaries and afford market-rate rent during Sacramento’s housing crisis,” said Lisa Culp, executive director, Women’s Empowerment. 

Women’s Empowerment created its Trellis Gardens transitional workforce housing community at an existing development in Sacramento this past year, subleasing 16 cottages to graduates of the program who have families and have secured employment but cannot afford market-rate housing. The gated community is just one mile from four schools, two parks and a grocery store, and close to public transportation. Children in the cottages receive developmental assessments, and local financial institutions provide financial education for residents so they can prepare to move into permanent housing when they are finished at Trellis Gardens. 

“Taking care of others and helping them thrive is how we honor our values as a native community,” said Mia Durham, Yocha Dehe tribal secretary and community fund chair. “Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation truly understands the struggle and stigma of being unhoused, and the detrimental impact it can have on women and children. We are grateful for the opportunity to partner with Women’s Empowerment to support this critical effort to provide local women and children with a safe place to live.”

Women’s Empowerment provides a two-month employment-readiness and empowerment program, paid job training, childcare and support services so women and their children can break the generational 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. In 2023, 165 jobs were secured by graduates, and 189 women either secured or maintained housing. Since 2001, 1,903 women have graduated from the program with more than 4,000 children. Women’s Empowerment is funded through private donations from the community and grants. To make a donation: Womens-Empowerment.org.

The Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation is committed to building strong communities and helping those in need, establishing the Community Fund to advance this mission. The Community Fund has established partnerships with more than 400 organizations throughout Yolo County, the state and nation, and granted nearly $40 million in philanthropic aid to support programs and initiatives dedicated to assisting people in need. The Community Fund prioritizes grants that help people help themselves in critical areas: education, Native arts and culture, environmental protection, Native rights and tribal sovereignty, and health and wellness. For more information: visit www.yochadehe.gov/giving/community-fund. 

Women’s Empowerment Receives $15K from Union Pacific

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Women’s Empowerment has received a grant of $15,000 from Union Pacific’s Community Ties Giving Program to help women experiencing homelessness in Sacramento find jobs and safe homes during the housing crisis.  

“We are proud to once again partner with Union Pacific’s Community Ties Giving Program to ensure unhoused women can find and retain employment so they can afford a safe home for themselves and their children,” said Lisa Culp, executive director, Women’s Empowerment. 

Women’s Empowerment provides a two-month employment-readiness and empowerment program, paid job training, childcare and support services so women and their children can break the generational 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. In 2023, 165 jobs were secured by graduates, and 189 women either secured or maintained housing. Since 2001, 1,870 women have graduated from the program with their 4,002 children. Women’s Empowerment is funded through private donations from the community and grants. To make a donation: Womens-Empowerment.org.

“Union Pacific proudly supports organizations that improve the quality of life where our employees live and work,” said Liisa Stark, vice president of public affairs, Union Pacific. “Investing in high-quality, nonprofit programs puts our communities in a position for future growth and prosperity.” 

For more than 160 years, Union Pacific has been committed to Building America – serving as an economic engine and improving the standard of life for millions across the country. Building upon this heritage, the Union Pacific Community Ties Giving Program’s mission is to build safe, prosperous, vibrant and inclusive communities by investing in high-quality nonprofits and programs in the cities and towns in which Union Pacific operates and its employees live and work. For more information: www.up.com/aboutup/community/foundation/index.htm. 

Women’s Empowerment Receives $55K from U.S. Bank

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Women’s Empowerment has received a $55,000 grant from the U.S. Bank Foundation to provide Sacramento women experiencing homelessness with job-readiness programs and paid job training so they can secure employment and safe housing for their families.

“U.S. Bank has been one of our most steadfast partners, and we are grateful that they continue to prioritize ending homelessness in Sacramento, one woman and one family at a time,” said Lisa Culp, executive director, Women’s Empowerment.

Women’s Empowerment provides a two-month employment-readiness and empowerment program, paid job training, childcare and support services so women and their children can break the generational 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. In 2023, 165 jobs were secured by graduates, and 189 women either secured or maintained housing.

“Supporting the development of small businesses and a dynamic workforce is an investment in today and our future,” said Ashley Bocek, community affairs manager for Sacramento, U.S. Bank. “We’re proud to work with organizations like Women’s Empowerment to help people succeed in their careers and build thriving communities.”

U.S. Bank is committed to powering human potential and creating lasting change in communities through its Community Possible platform that includes philanthropy, community investments and team member volunteerism.

Since 2001, 1,854 women have graduated from Women’s Empowerment with their 3,837 children. Women’s Empowerment is funded through private donations from the community and grants. To make a donation: Womens-Empowerment.org.

U.S. Bancorp, with approximately 75,000 employees and $668 billion in assets as of Sept. 30, 2023, is the parent company of U.S. Bank National Association. Headquartered in Minneapolis, the company serves millions of customers locally, nationally and globally through a diversified mix of businesses including consumer banking, business banking, commercial banking, institutional banking, payments and wealth management. U.S. Bancorp has been recognized for its approach to digital innovation, community partnerships and customer service, including being named one of the 2023 World’s Most Ethical Companies and Fortune’s most admired superregional bank. U.S. Bank is committed to powering human potential and creating lasting change in communities through its Community Possible platform that includes philanthropy, community investments and team member volunteerism. To learn more, visit the U.S. Bancorp website at usbank.com and click on “About Us.”

Women’s Empowerment Holds Holiday Gift Drive

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Local residents can provide joy and winter items to Sacramento women and children who have experienced homelessness by contributing to Women’s Empowerment’s annual Holiday Gift Drive. The nonprofit is seeking winter hats, socks and gloves for all ages from infant to adult, as well as teen gifts, $25 Target and Walmart gift cards, holiday candy, and empty medium and large gift bags. For those who prefer to make a financial donation, the average cost of a gift package is $40, but any amount is helpful. Women’s Empowerment especially needs gift cards, gifts for teens, and winter hats for teens and adults. Items are needed at Women’s Empowerment, 1590 North A Street in Sacramento, by Dec. 11. For more information, visit www.womens-empowerment.org.

“The holidays can be especially challenging for the women and children we serve who are working to overcome homelessness,” said Lisa Culp, executive director, Women’s Empowerment. “We want the women and children in our program to experience joy this holiday season, as well as warmth in the face of a cold, wet winter. Our annual Holiday Gift Drive not only gives people the chance to provide care and hope for those who have been unhoused, it tells each woman and child in our program that they are important to their community.”

Items will be distributed to families at Women’s Empowerment’s upcoming Holiday Craft Party in mid-December where women and children will create gifts for family and friends. At the event, mothers also will have the opportunity to choose gifts for their children, thanks to a toy drive being held by California State Assemblymember Kevin McCarty, District 6.

“At Women’s Empowerment, we believe there is dignity in giving,” Culp said. “So often unhoused women and children do not have the resources to give gifts to their loved ones. We are grateful that this community helps us ensure they have that joyful and proud experience of giving.”

Women’s Empowerment provides a two-month employment-readiness and empowerment program, paid job training, childcare and support services so women and their children can break the generational 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. Last year, 121 graduates secured employment or enrolled in paid training or education. Since 2001, 1,837 women have graduated from the program with their 3,894 children. Women’s Empowerment is funded through private donations from the community and grants. To make a donation: Womens-Empowerment.org.

Women’s Empowerment Receives $25K from Kaiser

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Women’s Empowerment has received $25,000 in new support from Kaiser Permanente to help Sacramento women experiencing homelessness during the ongoing housing crisis. Kaiser is supporting Women’s Empowerment’s work to empower unhoused women with economic opportunity so they can keep their families healthy.  

“Kaiser Permanente has been one of our most steadfast supporters over the years, and we are grateful for their continued investment in our work as we find new ways to help women overcome homelessness during the prolonged housing crisis in Sacramento,” said Lisa Culp, executive director, Women’s Empowerment.

Women’s Empowerment provides a two-month employment-readiness and empowerment program, paid job training, childcare and support services so women and their children can break the generational 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.

The grant from Kaiser will fund Women’s Empowerment’s work with unhoused women in Sacramento to ensure they have a wide range of tools to secure quality jobs and careers that lead to a livable wage and safe home for their families, including job training and support groups for women who have experienced domestic violence or substance use.

“We’re proud to support Women’s Empowerment and its efforts to reduce homelessness and increase access to steady jobs in the Sacramento area,” said James (Jay) L. Robinson III, senior vice president and area manager for Kaiser Permanente Sacramento and South Sacramento. “Providing access to safe, stable housing and opportunities for employment are part of Kaiser Permanente’s commitment to improve the health of the communities we serve.”

Last year, 121 Women’s Empowerment graduates secured employment or enrolled in paid training or education. Since 2001, 1,837 women have graduated from the program with their 3,894 children. Women’s Empowerment is funded through private donations from the community and grants. To make a donation: Womens-Empowerment.org.

Women’s Empowerment to Hold Gala Sept. 21

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Sacramento nonprofit Women’s Empowerment will hold its Transformation Gala on Sept. 21 at 5:30pm at the Pavilion at Haggin Oaks, where guests will raise funds and celebrate the program that educates, empowers and employs unhoused Sacramento women so they can support their families. Fifty program graduates will join community members at the event for dinner, live auction, Fund-A-Dream and award ceremony. Two graduates will share their stories rising from homelessness. The annual gala is the organization’s largest fundraiser of the year, raising a fifth of the annual budget. To purchase tickets, sponsor a graduate to attend or become a sponsor, visit Womens-Empowerment.org/Gala.

“We are proud that many community members consider the Women’s Empowerment Gala to be one of the most inspirational events in Sacramento each year,” said Lisa Culp, executive director, Women’s Empowerment. “This event is unique because it brings together women once unhoused with the community who supported them in their rise from homelessness. They leave our program transformed and proud to be Women’s Empowerment graduates, and it shows in their radiant smiles and passionate voices at our Gala. We hope the community will join us for this genuine, powerful event that raises critical funds so Sacramento’s unhoused women and children can thrive.”

Women’s Empowerment provides a two-month employment-readiness and empowerment program, paid job training, childcare, transitional workforce housing and support services so women and their children can break the generational 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. Last year, 121 graduates secured employment or enrolled in paid training or education. Since 2001, 1,822 women have graduated from Women’s Empowerment’s program with their 3,882 children. Women’s Empowerment is funded through private donations from the community and grants. To make a donation: Womens-Empowerment.org.