Handbags Earn Youth Award for Giving Back

Haley Anthonisen, a local college student passionate about helping her community, recently earned the Youth in Philanthropy Award from the Association of Fundraising Professionals. The honor was based on her years of commitment to giving back—which all culminated in a handbag.

Haley first approached our organization in 2005. She had started a business, Haley Corina Handbags. Using recycled men’s neckties, Haley put her sewing talent to work crafting beautiful, silk purses. From the start, Haley set a goal that a portion of each bag sold would benefit Women’s Empowerment.

Holiday Helpers' Guide

In response to the phone calls from many of you looking for ways to help in this current crisis, we’ve compiled this holiday helpers’ guide. The need may be greater than ever, but if we each help with a little, together we can accomplish a lot! Please spread the word to family and friends. The opportunities include:

Host a Stocking Drive!

You can bring joy to a homeless woman and her children this holiday season by holding a stocking drive. We need new, unused, unwrapped gifts and stockings using our wish list.  Send a financial donation, and we’ll do the shopping for you!

Help us win $50,000! 
If you're using the social networking tool Facebook, now's your chance to help our cause raise money. The Women's Empowerment Cause on Facebook just entered America's Giving Challenge, which gives us a chance to win $50,000! Between now and November 7th if we get the most donations on our Cause page, we are eligible to take home between $1,000 and $50,000.

This year's Women's Empowerment Gala was an amazing success!  Thanks to everyone who helped us celebrate our graduates and all they've accomplished.  To view photos from this year's Gala, go to http://www.photoreflect.com/pr3/thumbpage.aspx?e=5361863.

Be Part of the Success: September 9, 2009 Graduation at 10:00 A.M.

Women will share inspiring stories of challenges overcome in this moving graduation ceremony. Meet the women and their children. Take part in a celebration of their hard work and dedication.

Donate dresses! We need formal dresses for the formerly homeless women who attend our annual Gala. Regardless of era or style, we'll take it and pass it on to a deserving woman as she celebrates independence.

Please join us!
The 8th Annual Women’s Empowerment Gala
A Celebration of Independence

Help us celebrate!
• Hear stories of women building better lives with their children.
• Learn about the hidden affects of the economy on the women graduating our program, and our bold plans to provide solutions.
• Help us delight in being named Nonprofit of the Year!