Meet Women of Hope

Posted by Realty Austin on August 14th, 2021

Imagine a world where abused and neglected children and youth get the support, services, care, and love needed to recover and thrive in life. Like a guardian angel, the Women of Hope formed in 2011 and have raised more than $600,000 through annual membership dues, fundraisers, and other gifts to benefit the SAFE Children’s Shelter in Austin. SAFE  is a human service agency in Austin serving the survivors of child abuse, sexual assault and exploitation, and domestic violence.

Realty Austin Co-Owner and Women of Hope member, Yvette Flores, sits down with the Women of Hope Founders for a virtual conversation about their mission to impact the lives of mothers and children in need of safe housing.

Q & A With Women Of Hope

Q. Can you give us some insight into the founding of the Women of Hope Organization and your mission?   

A. [Irene] - Women of Hope was started in 2011 by 4 friends, Ronda, Mindy, Sherri West (who could not be here today), and myself. We started it as a way for women in the community to volunteer and financially support the Children’s Shelter. We wanted Women of Hope to be a fun, no-pressure way to give back to the community and meet like-minded generous women. 

The original catalyst had to do with community, both in service to the children and families in need and to one another. With most organizations, you just show up for an hour or two or write a check but we wanted something more enduring and sustaining. We thought about the way we will build relationships with each other and realized it is about reaching out to people who have like-mind, hearts, and passions while continuing to build experiences together - including meetings, retreats events, and most importantly showing up at the shelters. It was all about not making it a transaction-based way to support the kids and families but to make it something more meaningful.

Q. How have you seen your organization and impact on the community grow over the years? (# of members, initiatives gained)  

A. [Ronda] - On our first night, we raised over $80,000 with a little under 30 members. By the end of our first year, we had 55 members and raised $160,000. All of this money being raised is 100% donated to the kids and families at the shelter.

Since 2011, we’ve raised almost $800,000 with annual membership gifts and support events which have raised millions for the shelter over the years. Aside from donations, Women Of Hope make up the planning committees and volunteer at galas, the shelter, and Touch-A-Truck, in which Realty Austin is hugely involved in. In doing all of these things,I have met some of my best friends through charity. Our impact really goes far beyond our annual membership gifts. It’s so nice to have an organization where you can meet people and enjoy the community.

Q. What's the most rewarding part of giving back to SAFE| Children's Shelter?  

A. [Mindy] - The kids, of course! We can’t be on campus right now, but usually, we help decorate for the holidays and try to find some fun things to do with kids from time to time. It’s so hard to imagine what these kids have been through and we just believe that every kid deserves to be loved, cared for, safe, and just be able to be a kid. These kids don’t have that, so being part of Women Of Hope is one way we can help provide them a better present and future. It starts with one kid! One happy safe kid saves other kids. Who wouldn’t want to be part of that? Women of Hope is the best thing I’ve ever done and the rewards are boundless!

Q. How can others get involved in the women of hope organization? 

A. [Ronda]- It’s easy! Just go to Safeaustin.org and “Ways to Give” and you’ll see the Women of Hope web page.  From there you can make your gift of $1,000 which is 100% tax-deductible, and that’s it - your in!  After that, we’ll be in touch to see how you might like to get involved… and that’s the no pressure part - some of our members want to make a gift and that’s it, others just like the social and networking events, and others like to get involved in committees or volunteer. It’s entirely up to you! If you’d like to talk to someone about it, you can call Angela Glode, our Women Of Hope staff member,  at 512-927-4743. 

Their Mission

With a mission to make the world a better place for abused and neglected children and youth served at the SAFE Children’s Shelter, the Women of Hope fulfill their mission through networking and building friendships, service, and issue awareness and advocacy. Their donations directly benefit the SAFE Children’s Shelter programs.

Founded on Friendship

Founded by four friends wanting to make a difference, the Women of Hope foster a fun, no-pressure way to give back to the community of Austin and meet other like-minded, generous women. Throughout the year, the Women of Hope host several opportunities for social gatherings — like the annual Founder’s Retreat where members can network, build friendships and sometimes raise even more money through third-party fundraisers. Members also stay connected through the  Women of Hope newsletter and the Women of Hope Facebook page.

How They Give Back

 Women of Hope members are invited to participate in activities that directly support housing and healing programs at SAFE. Activities include:

• Cooking classes at SAFE for the older youth and young adult residents
• Decking and un-decking the shelter – holiday decorations in each SAFE building and residential housing cottage
• Volunteering at the annual Touch-a-Truck event

Each Women of Hope member makes a gift of at least $1,000 for their annual membership dues. The collective membership due funds is then donated to one of SAFE’s residential programs such as family counseling programs.. Become a member of Women of Hope.

2019 WOMEN OF HOPE FOUNDERS:  

JADE  AUSLEY, REBECCA AUSTEN, MINDY BAKKER,  ANN BENOLKEN, SHELLI BLACKBURN, YVETTE FLORES, PAULA BOON, KELLI BROWN, TAVIA CONKLING, DEBORAH CORBIN, CARLA GEORGE, RONDA GRAY,  DEBI HAMILTON, REBECCA HARDEMAN, MICHELLE LONG HELD, SHANNON HUTCHESON, ANNA JOHNSON, BRENDA LANGFORD, BRIGID LESTER, MELODY McCAIG, LAURIE McNEVIN, AMY MILLS,  VICTORIA REED-FENIMORE, ANNETTE RENAUD, GINA SCANIO, SHANNON SCHMITZ, TERESA SMITH, BETH STABILE, JILL STEARNS, TIFFANY STILLWELL, BOBBI TOPFER, DELYN TYSON, JENNIFER WEGMILLER

2019 WOMEN OF HOPE MEMBERS: 

COLEEN BRIGHTON, DONNA CLAY, CYNTHIA COULSON, JEN DAHLKE, AMANDA DUDLEY, TAMMY DuPONT, ANGELA GLODE, CHELSEA GRAY, FELICIA HESTER, CINDY KLATT, KRIS KRAUS, KELLEY LAMY, LINDA FUNAY McCARLEY, MARY McMAHON, KELLIE MOORE, KRISTI MORIARITY, JENNIFER MUNIZ, KAREN PETERSON, ERICA ROSS, RYLA SIMMONS, VENUS STRAWN, JANET WALKER, ANNE WOOD, RACHAEL WYATT

ETERNAL WOMEN OF HOPE:

JEANNIE STAHL

TOUCH-A-TRUCK 2020 | VIRTUAL RIDE-ALONG EXPERIENCE

Realty Austin is a proud sponsor of the 10th Annual Touch-A-Truck event benefiting SAFE| Austin’s Children’s Shelter. This year Touch-A-Truck is going virtual with a ride-along experience and donations. Explore all the trucks you would have seen in person and give back to SAFE Shelters!