Overview

An important part of being a member of NAWBO is our responsibility as influential women to support and impact our local community in a positive way.  As a result, NAWBO Greater Raleigh each year adopts local, non-profit organizations that align with our mission.  We select organizations based on their provision of basic needs, mentoring and/or counseling, education, and resources that provide a positive impact in women’s lives.

Member Support

NAWBO Greater Raleigh provides the opportunity for members to support our adopted non-profit organizations by making the membership aware of their missions, fundraisers, service projects, and volunteer opportunities.  We understand many members have personal connections to the organizations they support and appreciate the financial and volunteer support the adopted organizations have received as a result of building awareness.


Non-Profit Partners 2009-2010

NAWBO Greater Raleigh will support Soroptimist International of Raleigh and the Women’s Center of Wake County as the non-profit partner organizations for the fiscal year 2009–2010.  To help our membership understand the missions and service projects of these organizations, we have provided an overview as well as links to their websites for additional information.

NAWBO Contact:
Kim Lewey
Kim@LeweyLandscaping.com
(919) 846-7916

Organization Contact:
Soroptimist International of Raleigh
www.SIRaleigh.org
(919) 833-2740

Women’s Center of Wake County
www.WCWC.org
(919) 829-3711


Organizations Overview

Soroptimist International of Raleigh (SIR)

“Soroptimist” is loosely translated from Latin and means “best for women”.

Soroptimists are committed to improving the lives of women and girls, in their local communities and throughout the world.  They want to:

• Help women achieve economic and political equality
• Serve as a global voice for women
• Provide outstanding leadership development opportunities for women
• Enhance world peace and understanding

Soroptimist International of Raleigh (SIR) was chartered in 1987 and is the local club of the parent organization, Soroptimist International, which links four federations internationally.
 
SIR is an all-volunteer service organization that concentrates in several areas to improve the lives of women and girls.  SIR partners with more than thirty other local non-profits to provide services and act as liaison for community organizations that share common goals.

Member dues, fundraising projects, grants, and contributions fund the programs. Major programs of the club include the Professional Clothing Closet, Ending Violence Against Women, and their Women of Distinction Awards Program.

The Professional Clothing Closet has partnered with the local affiliate of another national organization – Dress for Success – to offer professional clothing for women in need seeking employment, as well as development of skills to enhance their job search and their career goals.

The Ending Violence Against Women program includes elements of STOP Human Trafficking, Domestic Violence, and Teen Violence.  SIR acts as liaison and partners with other organizations including law enforcement, legislators, and community organizations such as Interact and Peace at Work, just to name a few.

The Awards Program includes the Women's Opportunity Award, Making a Difference Award, and Violet Richardson Award.

The Women’s Opportunity Award offers financial assistance to women who need education and skills training to enter or re-enter the workforce. The awards are designed to give women who are the primary source of financial support for their families the opportunity to achieve their career goals.

The Making a Difference program acknowledges those who work to improve the status of women in society and whose efforts consistently help women reach their potential and act as outstanding role models for their peers.

The Violet Richardson program recognizes young women between 14 and 17 who make the community and the world a better place through volunteer efforts.


Women’s Center of Wake County, Inc. (WCWC)

The Women's Center of Wake County, Inc. started over thirty years ago as a grass roots movement to meet the needs of women re-entering the community from prison. Over the last 12 years, the Center has shifted focus in response to the most critical needs of women, addressing the growing issue of homelessness for women with children and single women.

As a non-profit organization, WCWC relies on fundraisers, contributions, and their signature Abbeygail’s Boutique to support their services.  They also offer volunteer opportunities for individuals and companies interested in their mission.

WCWC now serves as one of only two day shelters in Raleigh, and the only one for women and children who are homeless.

WCWC opened Epiphany House as a communal living environment for single women, two additional single-family homes that are rented to low-income single moms, and a permanent housing duplex for single women.

WCWC provides basic needs for women in need that most of us take for granted including safe shelter, food, clothing, and personal care items.  They also provide clinics for domestic violence counseling, HIV and STD testing and counseling, financial and legal counseling, and mentoring for self-sufficiency.

Abbeygail’s Re-Chic Boutique is located at 3800 Hillsborough St in Raleigh (across from the fairgrounds) and offers “sassy to classy” bargains.  Hours and additional information are provided at www.abbeygails.com.  

WCWC is sponsored by two major fundraisers each year – Caffe Luna THRIVE! and Bachelor Bid for Charity.

Caffe Luna THRIVE! is a dinner, silent auction, and networking event where 100% of the event’s proceeds support the operations of WCWC.  In 2009, it is scheduled for Tuesday, September 22nd at Caffe Luna in downtown Raleigh.  Sponsorships are available and appreciated.  Additional information can be obtained through NAWBO’s contact information or http://www.wcwc.org (click on the “Caffe Luna” button).

Bachelor Bid for Charity is an evening black tie silent auction and live bachelor auction complete with food and dance.  It is organized by a local women’s social networking group (the Wackies or W5) as one of its service projects.  Sponsorships, silent auction items, and bachelor recommendations are appreciated.  It is typically scheduled in February/March of each year.


Non-Profit Partners 2008-2009

NAWBO supported Soroptimist International of Raleigh (SIR) and the Women’s Center of Wake County (WCWC) through its financial and volunteer efforts during fiscal year 2008 - 2009.  Our contributions include in part the following:

NAWBO as an organization:
$500 sponsorship of WCWC “THRIVE” Caffe Luna dinner/fundraiser
$500 restricted educational donation for SIR “Opportunity Award”

NAWBO membership:

• Key Note Speaker and attendees for “Dress for Success” series (SIR)
• “THRIVE” Caffe Luna sponsorships & silent auction donations (WCWC)
• Poinsettia purchases (SIR)
• Business clothing donations, drop-off events, & “personal shopper” volunteers (SIR)
• Bachelor Bid for Charity sponsorships, silent auction donations, and volunteers (WCWC)
• Abbeygail’s Closet donations and volunteer efforts (WCWC)
• STOP Human Trafficking Forum attendees (SIR)
• Awards Reception Key Note Speaker and attendees (SIR)
• Women Helping Women Vendor/Networking Fundraiser (WCWC)
• SIR memberships
• SIR & WCWC committees