By Tonya Netters | Program Manager
FSWW 's 27th Anniversary Legacy Awards and Comedy Affair was nothing short of spectacular! With a display of excellence, resilience and compassion, the room was filled with super-survivors and advocates of domestic violence, long-time donors along with community partners and supporters from around the globe. Hosted at one of Houston’s esteemed ballrooms, the event was at Chateau Crystal on October 18, 2024. The beautifully arrayed ballroom was decorated in purple, black and gold, as guests arrived walking “The Purple Carpet” commemorating Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
The event was media-sponsored by Houston’s CW 39 and MCed by news anchor Sharron Melton. With the theme, “Elegance Meets Laughter!”, FSWW recruited some of the best comedians in the business to entertain it distinguished guests. Comedienne and Houston’s KTSU Radio host, Dunbezzy graciously hosted the comedy affair. Comedian Mason James provided a hilarious escape that lit up the room while Comedian Griff, co-host of the nationally syndicated “Get Up Morning Show” with gospel great, Erica Campbell, was the headliner who resonated and warmed the hearts of attendees.
As part of the festivities, FSWW selected honorees that have supported the FSWW mission through their community partnership along with survivors who have received FSWW services during the year and have made commendable progress. This year, eight community partners received the Unsung Hero Awards. This award honored those community partners who are making an impact in the community by providing resources, direct client services, financial assistance and specialty projects to those underserved.
Five FSWW clients received The Karen Miles Phoenix Award in honor of FSWW long-time volunteer, Karen Miles who was recently murdered in 2024. This award honored those FSWW clients who have displayed an admirable level of strength and determination as they are overcoming their domestic violence trauma and successfully navigating their journey to the healthy life they desire.
Two FSWW families received The Celebration of Life Award. This honor was bestowed upon the families, in honor of their loved one, who was recently murdered by an intimate partner.
Donated items from the Houston Astros, other sports memorabilia, custom earring collection from The Miriam Walker Collection, and other collectors’ items were up for bids during the silent auction with all proceeds aiding victims/survivors of domestic violence.
This year’s Legacy Awards was truly a night to remember, lifting hearts and garnering support for victims/survivors for domestic violence.
Upcoming Events
December 14, 2024, FSWW will host its 20th Anniversary Toy Drive, themed, “Help Us Bring a Smile to a Child” and “Joy with a Toy.” This longstanding organizational tradition is purposed to alleviate the holiday stress and financial strain that many of our clients experience in providing Christmas gifts to their children. As secondary victims, children are often overlooked. However, FSWW makes concerted efforts to ensure our children are lavished with overstuffed gift bags of toys to off-set their otherwise chaotic environments.
This year FSWW is charged with providing gifts to over 100 children and welcomes all the support it can receive. Just click the link to donate: https://www.amazon.com/registries/gl/guest-view/2OBAAE7P8VH0U
Closing out the 2023-2024 grant year, FSWW’s Grant-Year-End stats are as follows:
FSWW served 698 unduplicated clients with 4,000+ services, inclusive of extensive case management services for food, clothing and rental assistance; financial assistance for utilities, phone bills, psychiatric/medication support, car notes and repairs, household items, transportation, furniture, and housing assistance; legal advocacy inclusive of assistance is filing for protective orders, crime victims compensation applications, and court accompaniments. 403 Crisis counseling/therapy clients received 2,635 hours of counseling and 49 support groups with 321 attendees.
FSWW is eternally grateful for the support received through our GlobalGiving partner, as we acknowledge that our organization would not be able to provide the array of services to our domestic violence clients and their families without financial support.
FSWW continues its endeavor to expand our services by acquiring additional funding particularly to address the growing need for emergency housing assistance for domestic violence victims/survivors and their families. FSWW continues to receive an astronomical number of requests for housing, as our clients have escaped abusive situations with no place to go with their children. Due to overcrowded shelters in the Houston-Harris County Metropolitan Area and surrounding counties, we are seeking partnerships with housing developers, builders, housing programs, and other funders to provide our clients with safe housing and a place to build a new life for them and their children.
Due to the confidentiality and safety of our clients, photos are limited
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