More than 500 local residents joined with 100 formerly homeless women to raise a recordbreaking $200,000 at Women’s Empowerment’s 15th Anniversary Gala in May. Funds raised will benefit the local nonprofit job training and empowerment program for women who are homeless and their children. The event, which also honored the group’s 1,322 graduates, included opportunities for community members to mingle with graduates who wore evening gowns donated by the community. Guests enjoyed a formal dinner, live and silent auctions, live music and stories from women who are no longer homeless.
“When we started this organization 15 years ago, we never could have dreamed that we would raise $200,000 at this beautiful event that doubles as a way to celebrate all of the amazing women in Sacramento who have broken the cycle of homelessness for their children,” said Lisa Culp, founding executive director, Women’s Empowerment. “The Sacramento community outdid themselves this year in showing their support for local women who are working so hard.”
Celebrating its 15th anniversary this year, Women’s Empowerment was recently featured on NBC’s TODAY Show and CNN’s Impact Your World for offering the most comprehensive job-readiness program in the Sacramento area designed specifically for women who are homeless and their children. The 2014 Organization of the Year has graduated 1,322 homeless women and their 2,750 children. Last year, 93 percent of graduates found homes and 83 percent found jobs or enrolled in school or training. The program combines self-esteem courses, job training, health classes and support services to help homeless women across diverse ages, races and cultures. Women’s Empowerment is funded solely through private donations from the community. To donate online: www.womens-empowerment.org.