Last Kiss of Summer Gala A Huge Success!!

The Last Kiss of Summer Gala held on September 27th at the Four Seasons Hotel in Georgetown was a huge success!! The picture above is from last year's Gala event with Ludy Green (Black Suit), daughter Megan, Kathleen "Kassie" Brown (Brown Dress), and myself, Stephanie Willson (Burgundy Gown and Shawl).

The atmosphere was incredible. The silent auction was beautiful with many items that had been donated. Thank you to all our donors that helped to make the event possible: Stephanie Willson Jewelry , Borghese, Inc., Freed Photography & Videography , Green and Blue , Gregory Fine Portraits , JW Marriott Orlando Grande Lakes , Main Event Caterers , Marriott Wardman Park Hotel , Sassanova , The Family Groove , The SalesDoctor , The Studio Theatre , Tranquil Space Yoga , Lana Hamilton of Grace + Gumption, Washington Nationals , and many many more. Thank you, thank you for helping to break the silence!

The seated dinner was excellent! The Four Seasons started us off with salad, then salmon, and finally dessert. During that time we had speakers and introductions. A video was played with a woman silhouetted in the shadows as she spoke about her heart wrenching tale of desperately trying to survive her divorce with little resources and the humiliation of having to ask friends constantly for help. It's truly a shame that our court systems allow this sort of abuse to be perpetuated.

Another one of Second Chance's clients went on-stage and told her tearful tale, in Spanish - the only language she can speak. This woman spoke from her heart about her trials and tribulations in trying to get survive her situation and the loving help and support that she received from Second Chance in helping her with housing, food, child care, English training, and job placement. The English translation moved the room and it was difficult to hold back a tear.

Tanya Brown, internationally acclaimed domestic violence advocate, author, and sister of Nicole Brown Simpson gave the keynote address. Tanya spoke from her heart and moved the room with her personal story and sharing the life of Nicole Brown Simpson. Tanya Brown gave a speech that penetrated and moved the room. It is truly a wonderful service that Tanya is doing by sharing her story as she delivers her message so powerfully in a way that many women wish they also could share. Thank you Tanya for breaking the silence!

The event had a live auction, which was made possible by many donors including German Embassy in Washington, DC and Toka Salon and Day Spa. Followed by dancing to a fantastic live band!

The event had many wonderful volunteers who made the event possible, such as Kathleen "Kassie" Brown and many other wonderful women. The incredible effort of many Second Chance staff made the event possible, such as Tawanna McCants and Judy.

Most of all, this organization would not even exist and women would never receive the services that are not found elsewhere if it were not for the incredible Founder and President of Second Chance Employment Services, Dr. Ludy Green, and her husband Joseph Green. Thank you Ludy and Joe for making it possible for all of us to break the silence together!

A Summer Kiss for the Last Kiss of Summer

On Thursday, September 27, 2007 I attended the Last Kiss of Summer Gala last night. We had a great turn out and it was a lot of fun!!

I donated the necklace for the silent auction which is shown in the photograph above that I named Summer Kiss since the necklace was specially commissioned for this Gala event to help raise money for Second Chance Employment Services which is a non-profit that connects at-risk women with suitable employment. Summer Kiss is a hand-crafted, hand-wired triple strand necklace, approximately 22" in length. Summer Kiss is made of two (2) types of turquoise in chips and 8mm rondelles, 8mm freshwater pearls, Sterling Silver Wire, Sterling Silver O-Ring Clasp, and Seed beads.

Tanya Brown, Nicole Brown Simpson's sister was the guest speaker and I was honored to hear Tanya's heart-felt story and plea for helping at-risk women. It was earth moving to hear Tanya speak last night and she touched me and many others last night with her story. Thank you Tanya for protecting women and breaking the silence!

Second Chance Gala Speaker Announced!

The following is a press release for Second Chance Employment Services upcoming special guest speaker at our annual fundraiser, Last Kiss of Summer!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Media Contact: Kirk Monroe
(202) 486-7144
kirk@kmpcr.com

Hollywood and Washington to Join Forces
for Victims of Domestic Violence in Last Kiss of Summer IV

WASHINGTON, D.C. August 4, 2007—What do tickets to the Academy Awards, the Four Seasons in Georgetown, and Nicole Brown Simpson’s sister have in common?

They all will be key parts of one of Washington’s most unique events, the Second Chance Employment Services annual fundraising gala to be held September 27th. The event is called Last Kiss of Summer IV, and has become an annual affair that has raised more than $1 million to help hundreds of abused, elderly, welfare-recipient, and otherwise at-risk women attain long-term employment.

Tanya Brown, internationally acclaimed domestic violence advocate, author, and sister of Nicole Brown Simpson will give the keynote address. Based in California, Tanya Brown founded the Nicole Brown Simpson Foundation and has dedicated her speaking and writing career to educating the public about the dangers and impact of domestic violence. She has joined forces with Second Chance Employment Services to promote its mission of independence and empowerment through the gala.

The black tie dinner/dance event will also feature an exclusive auction to include Academy Awards tickets, Emmy Awards tickets, unique embassy dinners and tours, along with numerous other one-of-a-kind experiences. Although the primary purpose of the evening is fundraising through the sale of individual tickets, corporate sponsorships, table sales, and auction proceeds, the gala has established a reputation as one of Washington’s most elegant and spirited events.

Second Chance Employment Services (SCES) is a non-profit organization of human resource (HR) professionals that seeks to promote financial security for victims of domestic violence and their dependents through comprehensive training and career placement services in the Metropolitan Washington area and New York City. SCES founder, Dr. Ludy Green, is a fifteen year veteran of HR management. Along with her many accomplishments, Dr. Green has a heart for volunteering and has made it her organization’s mission to provide less fortunate women with comprehensive support, free of charge.