Women’s Empowerment graduates create gifts for their loved ones at last year’s Holiday Craft Party where they received gifts from the nonprofit’s Holiday Gift Drive. Women’s Empowerment is seeking items for its 2023 Holiday Gift Drive by December 11. Photo courtesy of Thébaud Communications

SACRAMENTO, CA (MPG) - Local residents can provide joy and winter items to Sacramento women and children who have experienced homelessness by contributing to Women’s Empowerment’s annual Holiday Gift Drive. The nonprofit is seeking winter hats, socks and gloves for all ages from infant to adult, as well as teen gifts, $25 Target and Walmart gift cards, holiday candy, and empty medium and large gift bags. For those who prefer to make a financial donation, the average cost of a gift package is $40, but any amount is helpful. Women’s Empowerment especially needs gift cards, gifts for teens, and winter hats for teens and adults. Items are needed at Women’s Empowerment, 1590 North A Street in Sacramento, by Dec. 11. For more information, visit www.womens-empowerment.org.

“The holidays can be especially challenging for the women and children we serve who are working to overcome homelessness,” said Lisa Culp, executive director, Women’s Empowerment. “We want the women and children in our program to experience joy this holiday season, as well as warmth in the face of a cold, wet winter. Our annual Holiday Gift Drive not only gives people the chance to provide care and hope for those who have been unhoused, it tells each woman and child in our program that they are important to their community.”

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 being held by California State Assemblymember Kevin McCarty, District 6.

“At Women’s Empowerment, we believe there is dignity in giving,” Culp said. “So often unhoused women and children do not have the resources to give gifts to their loved ones. We are grateful that this community helps us ensure they have that joyful and proud experience of giving.”

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. Last year, 121 graduates secured employment or enrolled in paid training or education. Since 2001, 1,837 women have graduated from the program with their 3,894 children. Women’s Empowerment is funded through private donations from the community and grants. To make a donation: Womens-Empowerment.org.