Nonprofit raises funds to get kids off street

It’s not often that one nonprofit raises a record amount of money and then donates the entire sum to another nonprofit. But that’s exactly what just happened.

ConnectW — a local nonprofit organization founded in 1986 and dedicated to creating community by connecting and empowering women in business and in life — raised $13,914 thanks to silent and live auctions at its annual holiday gala.

During its January meeting, which was attended by 80-plus people, Events Chair Amanda Albrich handed over the check to Beulah’s Place, a Redmond-based 501c3 whose mission is to lead homeless teens away from sexual exploitation by criminals and predators and give these at-risk kids help, healing, and most of all, hope.

Over the last 12 months, Beulah’s Place has rescued 15 teens from Bend and Redmond, and given support to an additional 10 whom they were not able to house due to lack of housing. All the teens participate in a six- to nine-month program so that they can complete their high school education, acquire and sustain viable employment, address any immediate physical and/or mental health needs, pursue or acquire permanent transportation means, and prepare for sustainable independent living usually in a rental situation.

A good portion of the money raised from Connect W’s holiday gala will go towards a pending project that will provide Phase II Transitional living units for teens who successfully complete this program. The remaining money will help rescue several new teens this year and provide sustenance support and transportation for current teens still in the process of completing the Beulah’s Place program requirements. Additionally, the nonprofit hopes to start a small college scholarship program for teens wishing to begin studies in Central Oregon.

ConnectW’s membership selected Beulah’s Place as the beneficiary of its 2014 holiday gala at last year’s meeting spotlighting local non-profit organizations. Prior recipients of the group’s fundraising efforts have included Oregon Adaptive Sports (OAS), Meadowlark Manor and CASA (Court-Appointed Special Advocates).

This year, after hearing 7-minute presentations from each of the nominated nonprofit organizations, the membership voted to raise money for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Oregon during this year’s holiday gala. As always, sponsorships and donations from local businesses — who are recognized on ConnectW.org, in all ConnectW’s holiday gala marketing materials, at the event and in post-holiday media—will allow the organization to donate 100 percent of the money raised to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Oregon.

But Big Brothers Big Sisters won’t be the only winner. Past presenters have come away with donations, volunteers and even board members. That’s the kind of win-win outcome we strive for at ConnectW.

For more information about ConnectW’s past fundraising efforts as well as future sponsorship or donation possibilities, please contact ConnectW Events Chair Amanda Albrich at (541) 848-8598 and events@ConnectW.org. We also invite you to join us for our regular meetings which mix business opportunity, networking, friendship and fun. ConnectW meets at 5 p.m. on the third Wednesday of the month at St. Charles.