GALA HELPS ABUSED WOMEN GAIN MEANINGFUL JOBS AND ECONOMIC FREEDOM IN RECESSION

(Dr. Ludy Green - Center)
News Relase: CONTACT: Carole Funger, Gala Co-Chair

Regina Varolli, Second Chance Employment Services
regina@varolli.com

James Quiggle, media relations
jamesq@InsuranceFraud.org

GALA HELPS ABUSED WOMEN GAIN MEANINGFUL JOBS AND ECONOMIC FREEDOM IN RECESSION

Economic downturn spurs increase in domestic abuse nationally and in D.C. area

WASHINGTON, Oct. 1, 2009—Pamela Johnson’s husband called her a leach, controlled their finances and forced her to beg for grocery money. He even refused her money for a doctor when their son fell ill. Pamela finally escaped, but lived in poverty with her three children. Today she’s a successful accountant thanks to career placement from Second Chance Employment Services.
Johnson’s life changed several years ago. But often-violent domestic abuse of vulnerable women like her is increasing around the U.S.—and the D.C. area—during today’s recession. To help abused women secure life-changing careers and economic independence, Second Chance Employment Services held the “Last Kiss of Summer” charity gala September 24 at the Four Seasons Hotel in Washington.
The keynote speaker was activist and actress Louise Stratten. Her sister—actress and Playboy Playmate Dorothy Stratten—died a terrifying death that shocked the nation when Dorothy’s controlling husband tortured, shot and killed her.
Founded by Dr. Ludy Green in 1991, Second Chance is America’s only private nonprofit agency focusing on helping abused women from around the U.S. gain meaningful positions with full health benefits. Quality jobs that create financial independence, experts agree, form the lifeline that allows victimized women to permanently escape the gravitational pull of abuse. More than 600 women have found career-track positions through Second Chance.
The “Last Kiss” gala helped Second Chance continue providing free support, including: meaningful jobs via Second Chance’s corporate partners and other networks…job training…resume-writing and interviewing skills…translation services…business apparel.
Second Chance even provides free dental work, cosmetic surgery and psychological counseling for women who were severely beaten and traumatized.
Abuse of women by husbands, live-in partners and boyfriends is an ongoing societal ill, but has increased in many areas of the U.S. during this recession, experts say.
Several Washington-area agencies also report recent increases—making domestic abuse of women a local recession-related issue.
Women from high-income suburban households to low-income urban minority families are victimized. Some women are even prisoners of human trafficking.
Abused women often have few jobs skills and have little or no money to build new lives. Even women with impressive career backgrounds and advanced degrees may lack the confidence to leave often-violent relationships.
With many government social-service agencies slashing budgets in this recession, private nonprofits such as Second Chance play a vital and growing role in helping at-risk women gain meaningful jobs that allow them to lead independent, abuse-free lives.

Thank You 2008 Gala Donors

Thank you to all the 2008 Auction Donors to the Second Chance Employment Services annual gala Last Kiss of Summer. A listing of all the donors are listed with corresponding links to their businesses in the right column under the heading "Donor List for Silent and Live Auctions for Last Kiss of Summer Gala 2008" and will remain posted until September 2009.

Cynthia de Lorenzi Partners With SCES

Second Chance Employment Services is proud to welcome a new partner, Cynthia de Lorenzi!

Cynthia de Lorenzi has given so much to the community. SCES is pleased that a woman of such dynamic background has partnered to help at-risk women find suitable employment. Ms. de Lorenzi’s many accomplishments include:

- Co-founding Success in the City (SITC) in 2004. SITC is the unconventional networking organization for senior level executive women to encourage, embrace and celebrate the value of meaningful peer relationships and friendship.

- Business ventures in GoGawGaw, an international Web development firm and de Lorenzi Group, a business development firm dedicated to connecting business to opportunity.

- Co-founding the North Texas Technology Council in 2002 and served as its CEO and continues to serve as an Advisor.

- Served as the Southwest Regional Director of the Concord Coalition, a nonpartisan, grassroots educational organization advocating fiscal responsibility and reform of entitlement programs to ensure the viability and fairness for all generations.

- Serves as a Board member of the Community Business Partnership & Women’s Business Center to provide the training, assistance and support women need to start and grow successful small businesses in Northern Virginia.

- Ms. de Lorenzi’s has been vital in the regional efforts of the Telework Coalition, including leading by example and implementing telework programs in her own businesses and serving on the planning committee for Washington Area Council on Telework (WACOT) conference.

- Founded the Bob de Lorenzi Scholarship fund at George Mason University in honor of her late brother. The Bob de Lorenzi Scholarship will be awarded annually to an adult man or woman, returning to school after a personal or career interruption, to complete an education delayed or postponed.

- Helped initiate the Bob de Lorenzi Telework Award given to individuals or entities that demonstrably followed the ideals and commitment to foster telework and telecommuting, as pursued by Bob de Lorenzi, a founding member of the Telework Coalition.

- Selected by Washington Business Journal as one of 2006 top 25 Women Who Mean Business awardees
- Winner of the 2003 Bob de Lorenzi Memorial Telework Award
- Co-founder of Success in the City
- Co-founder the Washington Bureau for ISP Advocacy
- Board Member, Community Business Partnership & Women’s Business Center
- Board Member, TelecomHUB

- Board Member, Telework Coalition
- Board Member, Livingston Communications, LLC
- Special Advisor, Stargazer Foundation
- NVTC – Tech Emergence Committee – Vice Chair
- Capital Gaines – Advisor for a new Distributed Work Concept
- Forum Moderator for Capital Society Forum – An organization of CEO’s seeking to further develop leadership skills
- Finalist for 2004 Women in Technology Entrepreneur of the Year
- Served on the Virginia Joint Commission on Technology and Science’s (JCOTs) Advisory Committee on Computer Crimes
- The Association of Contingency Planners (ACP)
- The Mid-Atlantic Telecommuting Advisory Council (MATAC)
- Co-founded the North Texas Technology Council (NTTC)
- Time Magazine's Person of the Year 2006
- Advisory Board of Vitalia MedSpa

Cynthia de Lorenzi also writes the blog for Success in The City called “Powder Room Diaries”. A link to Ms. de Lorenzi's Blog is found in the right column of this page. You know I love that she is a blogger!!

I am so excited and would like to give a warm welcome and thank you to Cynthia de Lorenzi for partnering with Second Chance Employment Services.

Last Kiss of Summer IV Host Committee

As I had reported before, the Second Chance annual Last Kiss of Summer gala in 2007 was a huge success! Above is a picture of the Host Committee. Here are just a few of the people in the above:

Front Row: Ludy Green (center in white), David Blanken (2007 gala chairman, right of Ludy in black), James Schenck (2006 gala chairman, left of Ludy in blue)

Back Row: Barbara Freedman (behind David Blankin in black), Stephanie Willson (left of Barbara), Joseph Green (far right in dark suit)

Thank you David for chairing this event and making it so memorable!

Toka Salon's Diva Night for Last Kiss of Summer!!

Teresa Beaman Yurt, a beautiful petite blond, and her generous husband Nuri Yurt , owner and founder of Toka Salon, are donating a fabulous and exciting package to Second Chance Employment Services for the upcoming Gala on September 27th at the Georgetown Four Seasons - Last Kiss of Summer! Teresa Beaman Yurt, co-owner of the famed Toka Salon located in Georgetown and Penn Quarter, will be donating the ultimate spa package for that special get together of your dreams: Diva Night which is the ultimate spa and party package for 35 people valued at $6500.00!! This exciting item will be featured as one of Last Kiss of Summer's live auction items.

Toka Salon has been honored both with celebrity clients, such as First Lady of the United States, Laura Bush. Toka Salon has also featured in the media, such as Washingtonian, Washington Life, Home & Design, and Washington Flyer.

Here's an excerpt from the Washingtonian on Toka Salon :

First Lady Goes Glam
by Ann Limpert
February 2005:
Just after the 2005 inauguration, Mrs. Bush began seeing Nuri Yurt, owner of Georgetown's Toka Salon, who also styles twin daughters Jenna and Barbara. Looser layers and subtle highlights have given the First Lady her best look yet.

Thank you Nuri and Teresa Yurt for helping so many at-risk women become gainfully employed!

Upcoming Meeting in August

This is a reminder that there will be an upcoming meeting for our upcoming gala Last Kiss of Summer next month on Wednesday, August 22nd at 6pm.

There will be more details to follow later!

Successful Meeting at Sangam!

Second Chance Employment Services held it's upcoming Second Committee Meeting last Wednesday, June 20th at the Sangam Restaurant discussing our exciting upcoming gala, Last Kiss of Summer.

Second Chance would like to take the opportunity to give special thank you to Edward Dean the owner of Sangam for his generosity in hosting our meeting on the house for us. We would also like to thank Rich Massabny for introducing Second Chance to the wonderful food at Sangam . Thank you to everyone that attended!!

Reminder of Upcoming Comittee Meeting

Second Chance Employment Service is reminding everyone about our upcoming Second Committee Meeting which will be taking place next Wednesday, June 20th at 6pm the the Sangam Restaurant located at 1211 N. Glebe Road, Arlington, VA 22201. Sangam has outside parking free of charge and it is also located close to Ballston Metro Station. Sangam is also the two time grand prize winner for the Taste of Arlington and featured in the Sun Gazette!

Second Chance would like to take the opportunity to give special thanks to Rich Massabny of PM Arlington who has generously acquired a space for us at Sangam. Second Chance would also like to thank Sangam for hosting our meeting!

Our upcoming Gala is already selling sponsorships and tables. We are also receiving donations and support with local businesses.

Last Kiss of Summer is going to be a fabulous event!!

Hanley Foundation

Second Chances Employment Services would like to thank the Hanley Foundation for being a GOLD SPONSOR for our upcoming 2007 Gala: Last Kiss of Summer!

The Hanley Foundation has expressed their support and how pleased they are to show their support!

It is through the incredible support of foundations such as the Hanley Foundation that Second Chances Employment Services can provide free services to help abused women enter the workforce!

Upcoming Committee Meeting!

Second Chance Employment Service is proud to announce our upcoming Second Committee Meeting which will be taking place on Wednesday, June 20th at 6pm the the Sangam Restaurant located at 1211 N. Glebe Road, Arlington, VA 22201. Sangam has outside parking free of charge and it is also located close to Ballston Metro Station. Sangam is also the two time grand prize winner for the Taste of Arlington and featured in the Sun Gazette!

Second Chance would like to take the opportunity to give special thanks to Rich Massabny of PM Arlington who has generously acquired a space for us at Sangam.

Second Chance would also like to thank Sangam for hosting our meeting!

Our upcoming Gala is already selling sponsorships and tables. We are also receiving donations and support with local businesses. Last Kiss of Summer is going to be a fabulous event!!

Donation Forms Going Out and Online!

Our Last Kiss of Summer Gala is kicking off in excitement for our upcoming event! The picture above is from our silent auction from our 2006 Gala. Nancy Mraz, President of HP Productions, Inc., (seen in the center with the sassy print top) and Janice Nicols of Serenity Day Spas (seen at the right in the lovely black dress), are both admiring some of our donated auction items.

Second Chance Employment Services will begin taking donation forms soon for our silent auction. In the right margin of this blog we will soon be hosting a list of those who have donated their items to our silent auction as we count down to September 27th! Click here to download our Donation Form so you can be included in the list!

Additional contributions can be made through Network for Good and Paypal.

We free services to help abused women enter the workforce. The only way we can continue to aid at-risk women in becoming independent of their abusive situation is with your help!

Support Second Chance With A Banner

Second Chance Employment Services has a banner for it's upcoming Gala: Last Kiss of Summer. We would like to thank The Family Groove for inspiring us to make this banner. We would also like to thank Jason Waag for giving me ideas on making the banner. I worked on making this banner over the Memorial Day weekend and will list websites and blogs in our right hand column that post this banner on their website until after our exciting Gala on September 27th.

To host this banner on your website or blog and be listed under our "Internet Sites Hosting SCES Banner" on our blog. It is through your support and generosity that Second Chance is able to help at-risk women for free. Thank you!

Upcoming Gala!

Here is a picture of me, Stephanie Willson (red dress), at the Last Kiss of Summer 2006 Gala. Second Chance Employment Services is so excited about our upcoming 2007 Gala: Last Kiss of Summer! We have updated our website so that you can now download Our Letter to Our Friends, Donation Form, and our exciting Sponsorship Opportunities!!

Second Chance continues to receive media attention; FOX News, CNN, and Washington Business Journal is only to mention a few from the long list. We’ve just received an Award from the US Attorney General’s Office as the most innovative business in the country for battered and abused women.

Additional contributions can be made through Network for Good and Paypal.

We provide the following free services to help abused women enter the workforce: Job search training, resume development, interview counseling, as well as medical and dental care, housing, clothing, childcare, transportation and food needs. The only way we can continue to aid these families in becoming independent of their abusive situation is with your help!

Successful Committee Meeting

Yesterday Second Chance Employment Services held its committee meeting which was generously hosted by Napoleon Bistro owned by Fatima Popal. There was a houseful of 26 attendees of renowned benefactors in the community, such as Dr. Ronald Pearlman our Chairman, Dr. Tina West, George Webb, and Dr. Claudia Cotca to name a few of the many young and energetic members of our committee. There was much excitement and discussion regarding sponsorship of our upcoming gala called Last Kiss of Summer to be held on September 27th!