Save Mart Companies C.A.R.E.S. Foundation recently presented Women’s Empowerment with a grant for $25,000 to support health and employment programs for homeless women. Funds will provide weekly domestic violence support groups, cooking and nutrition classes, and wellness and recovery groups. Funds also will support onsite employment specialists and social workers who help homeless women secure employment, regain housing and create a healthier lifestyle.
“The majority of our students are survivors of domestic violence, and many struggle with substance abuse, mental health challenges, diabetes and high blood pressure,” said Lisa Culp, executive director, Women’s Empowerment. “We believe that employment is the best long-term solution to ending homelessness, but securing a job first starts with ensuring you can be a healthy, active employee. We are so grateful to Save Mart for continuing to prioritize the health of homeless women and children in our community.”
The grant check was presented by Victoria Castro, Save Mart Companies public affairs manager, and Andy Butler, Save Mart store manager, at a Women’s Empowerment graduation ceremony.
“Through the Save Mart C.A.R.E.S. Foundation, The Save Mart Companies has had the pleasure of working with Women’s Empowerment for the past eight years,” Castro said. “We are so proud to partner with such an amazing group like Women’s Empowerment with all of the invaluable services they provide to the community.”
Women’s Empowerment was featured on NBC’s The TODAY Show in 2015 for offering the most comprehensive job-readiness program in the Sacramento area designed specifically for women who are homeless and their children. The award-winning organization has graduated 1,503 homeless women and their 3,600 children. Last year, 92 percent of graduates found homes and 77 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 through private donations from the community and receives no government funding except for in-kind rent from the County of Sacramento. To make a donation: www.womens-empowerment.org.