Women of Hope - Austin Children's Shelter


Four Women Share Their Passion for Helping Kids Through New Women’s Group
Irene Williams	Ronda Gray	Sherri West	Mindy Bakker

Nearly 50 women braved the summer heat to come together for fun, fellowship and a good philanthropic cause. Hosted by ACS board members Ronda Gray, Sherri West and Irene Williams and ACS supporter, Mindy Bakker, the Austin Children’s Shelter Women of Hope was inaugurated on August 25, 2011. In the beautiful setting of the Gray’s home, CEO Kelly White and Director of Therapeutic Services Sheerin Hall talked about the challenges faced by the children, youth and young adults served by the Shelter. “Our young people come to us with unimaginable stories of abuse and neglect and our caring staff is there to assess their needs and provide for them for as long as they need our support, and sometimes beyond” said Kelly.

The brainchild of Irene Williams, the Women of Hope has three goals: to raise $100,000 annually in

“...we needed to find a way to provide as
much support as
possible so that everyone we serve has a chance to succeed.”

support of Austin Children’s Shelter; provide an opportunity for a hands-on service project; and provide an opportunity to socialize with likeminded, generous women in Austin.

“We know there are plenty of women’s groups supporting worthwhile causes in Austin” said Irene, “but we also know how passionate the four of us are about a cause as important as this one. The children of ACS have no one, and we needed to find a way to provide as much support as possible so that everyone we serve has a chance to succeed. We wanted to give money, provide direct service, and

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spend time with some great people. And we think Women of Hope will give us the chance to do just that.”

And speaking of success, the Women of Hope’s first evening signed on 21 Founding members with gifts of $5,000 and 10 annual members with gifts of $1,000! “We were touched, but not surprised, by the generosity of our friends” said Ronda Gray. “We knew that once we made them aware of the important work of ACS they would want to do whatever they could to help us be successful.”

To learn more about Women of Hope or to become a member, click here or contact womenofhope@
austinchildrenshelter.org.