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.