Women working their way back from homelessness will be celebrated at a special event later this month in Sacramento, but organizers are still in need of sponsorships for those being honored.
The annual Women's Empowerment Celebration of Independence Gala honors the women who've graduated from the non-profit's nine-week job-readiness training course.
“The women who have gone through our program are the highlight of the event,” said Holly Byrom of Women’s Empowerment. “Every year we invite 75 graduates – women who have risen out of homelessness – to be our honored guests and ambassadors that evening.”
“We are celebrating these women’s accomplishments,” Byrom continued. “Everything that they have done to break that vicious cycle of homelessness – to re-enter the workforce, to find a safe home.”
The May 23rd fundraiser includes a formal dinner, live music, and silent and live auctions. It costs $125 to attend the gala and 35 graduates are still in need of sponsorships. Other sponsorship opportunities are available as well.
“For so many women who are homeless, isolation is such a factor,” Bryom explained. “The Gala really bridges the gap between the world of isolation and homelessness and the world of community and dignity of work.”
Now in its 17th year, the award-winning non-profit has graduated more than 15-hundred women. Over 90 percent of last year's graduates have found homes and three-quarters of them now have jobs or are enrolled in school or training.
Women’s Empowerment is funded through private donations from the community and receives no government funding.