Grace Centers of Hope event aids women facing abuse, homelessness

Grace Centers of Hope (GCH) presents the 25th Annual “Women Helping Women” Luncheon and Fashion Show from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, April 22, at the Royal Park Hotel, 600 E. University Drive in Rochester.

The event, which is presented by Marx Layne & Company, showcases the hottest spring fashion trends from some of the most notable designers and brands. Tickets are $150 per person and include a silent auction preview, delicious luncheon, and fabulous fashion show. All proceeds benefit GCH’s Women’s Program, which supports women who are faced with issues of homelessness, addiction and abuse.

“The Women Helping Women Luncheon and Fashion Show has truly become a signature event for our nonprofit organization, helping to raise meaningful awareness about the very difficult
challenges our program participants face,” said GCH CEO Pastor Kent W. Clark. “We know it takes a community to change someone’s life for the better and that is why we are incredibly
grateful to our event sponsors, volunteers and hundreds of women who join us every year to generously lend their support.

Exciting agenda

“Women Helping Women” begins with a silent auction and raffle preview that features variety of dining, entertainment and lifestyle experience items, including: a $2,500 Visa shopping spree; a Diamond’s Direct diamond necklace featuring a 14 karat white gold graduated circle pendant with brilliant round cut diamonds valued at $1,300; and a Rochester Weekend Getaway with a
one-night stay at the Royal Park Hotel, breakfast voucher to Park 600, and Oakland Kitchen & Bar Gift Card and a couples spa day at Nourish, Mind, Body & Soul.

The silent auction and raffles are followed by a delicious luncheon and high-energy fashion show hosted by the vivacious Cheryl Hall Lindsay of RGA Model Management and featuring professional models and women enrolled in the GCH Women’s Program.

World-renowned designers showcased

This year’s designers include: Anne Fontaine, a Paris-based fashion designer whose ready-to-wear brand is sold in 85 retail shops around the world; and Lilly Pulitzer, a fashion sensation and creator of authentic American sports resort wear, who for more than 60 years continues to create authentic printed styles.

Wardrobe and accessories also will be featured from fashion retailers and brands: J. McLaughlin, an American sportswear brand with a focus on excellence in design; Dolce Moda, which is known for its extensive selection of fashion-forward merchandise for men and offers its customers tomorrow’s top trends; Saks Fifth Avenue, a world renown luxury department store;
and Franklin Village Boutique, a cozy, on-trend fashionable boutique offering customers unique and contemporary apparel with a wide selection of handbags, accessories, and handcrafted jewelry.

WDIV’s Drew will host

Karen Drew, WDIV TV 4 award-winning news anchor and reporter, will serve as this year’s mistress of ceremonies. For more than 25 years, Drew has been informing viewers with her investigative reporting and from the anchor desk of First at 4 p.m. and the 5:30 p.m. newscasts.

GCH offers a comprehensive range of programs and services to help individuals and families overcome 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’s $7.8 million annual budget is maintained solely through corporate and private donors. It does not accept any government assistance.

GCH programs include: One-Year Life Skills Program for men and women (daily classes, individual case management, group case management, routines to develop workplace skills and  financial planning); an After-Care Program, which allows graduates of the one-year program to remain connected to GCH and receive ongoing support by living in Little Grace Village, a drug-free, healthy Christian community consisting of more than 50 homes in downtown Pontiac; and a Children’s Program, which provides parents with FREE pre-school and infant care at the Hands of Hope Childcare Center for their children while they are participating in programs and working to improve their lives; and the Career and Education Center — offers a variety of classes such as GED prep courses, career search workshops, financial planning, and more.

To learn more about “Women Helping Women” or to purchase tickets, visit the GCH website.

For sponsorship opportunities, please contact GCH SpecialEvents Coordinator April Melik at 248-334-2187 or via email at amelik@gracecentersofhope.org.