Grace Centers of Hope presents the 18th annual “Women Helping Women” Luncheon and Fashion Show from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday, May 7 at the Royal Park Hotel, 600 E. University Dr., Rochester. The event will showcase the latest spring fashion trends for women, children and men featuring designs by several Somerset and Birmingham boutiques. They include L.K. Bennett London, Christiane LaRue, Lilly Pulitzer and Saks Fifth Avenue. Carson’s at The Village of Rochester Hills will provide the children’s fashions.
“For nearly 18 years, our annual luncheon and fashion show has given us a tremendous opportunity to bring together individuals of all ages who are interested in making a positive difference in the lives of local women who are homeless,” said GCH CEO Pastor Kent W. Clark. “This year, we are proud to celebrate our new William A. Davis Women and Children’s Center, which will open its doors in mid-May and help us reach more women and children who are in need.”
“Women Helping Women” begins with a silent auction preview featuring an assortment of items ranging in value up to $5,000. Among the top items available for bid are: a $1,500 cruise aboard The Celebrity, Royal Caribbean, or Seabourn Cruise Line; jewelry from John Hardy; and a $500 shopping spree at The Villages of Rochester Hills. The silent auction is followed by a delicious luncheon and high-energy runway show featuring professional models as well as women and children who are participating in GCH programs.
WDIV TV 4 news anchor and investigative journalist Karen Drew will serve as this year’s event host. Drew is a multiple Emmy and Michigan Association of Broadcasters Award-winning journalist who can be seen Monday through Friday on Local4News. Honorary committee members include Christina Bishop of Rochester Hills, Renee Godin – Ferguson of Farmington Hills, The Hon. Lisa Gorcyca of Troy, Danialle Karmanos of Orchard Lake, The Hon. Julie Nicholson of Rochester, Mona Richard of Dearborn, Kathy Shelton of Rochester Hills, and Karen Williams of Bloomfield Hills.
On May 18, GCH will celebrate the grand opening of its new women and children’s center located at 210 N. Perry St., Pontiac. The three-level, 22,000 square foot facility will represent the culmination of the nonprofit organization’s commitment to address the increasing and alarming number of homeless women and children in southeast Michigan. Once completed, the center will allow GCH to expand its current program capacity by 200 percent, making it one of the largest providers for homeless women and children in Michigan.
Through a comprehensive range of programs for individuals and families, GCH daily confronts and solves issues of homelessness, addiction, neglect, poverty and spiritual emptiness. To achieve these outcomes, it incorporates the Gospel of Jesus Christ, personal accountability, life skills education and work-related programs. The nonprofit organization’s $8.2 million annual budget is maintained solely through corporate and private donors. It does not accept any government assistance.
GCH programs include: Emergency Food and Shelter, a short term program that provides immediate assistance to homeless men, women and children; One-Year Life Skills, a Christ-centered residential program for men and women that includes daily classes, work routines, and mentoring; Children’s Program, which offers pre-school and infant child care opportunities through its Hands of Hope Childcare Center, educational and recreational activities, parent support and case management; and After-Care Program that offers program graduates ongoing counseling as well as residential support in its Little Grace Village, a community of single and multi-family homes located in downtown Pontiac.
The Diamond sponsor for the “Women Helping Women” Luncheon and Fashion Show is the Luther Family Foundation. The Executive Sponsor is the Williams Family Fund. Platinum sponsors are Volkswagen Group of America and Toyota Motor Sale. The Gold Sponsor is The Royal Park Hotel. Silver sponsors are Luxe Event Linen, Flagstar Bank, Mad Dog Technology, and Bull Run Press. Bronze sponsors are Denise Warren, Wilshire Benefits Group, Delta Airlines, Taubman, and The Travel Authority. Patron sponsors are Plante Moran, McLaren Oakland, The Village of Rochester Hills, and Tiffany Mausolf. Valet sponsor is Rochester Hills Chrysler Jeep. Luigi Bruni in Birmingham will provide hair and makeup for the models.
About Grace Centers of Hope
Giving hope to the helpless since 1942, Grace Centers of Hope is considered one of the leading faith-based organizations in Southeastern Michigan, daily confronting issues of homelessness, addiction, poverty, abuse and spiritual emptiness. On any given night, Grace Centers of Hope provides transitional and emergency shelter to 150-200 men, women and children, in addition to serving more than 100,000 meals each year. Grace’s $8.2 million yearly budget is maintained solely through corporate and private donors, exclusive of any government assistance. To learn more about Grace Centers of Hope or to make a donation, please visit www.gracecentersofhope.org
About Post Author
