A Center for Empowering Women

HELP! We are a small church in Carson City Nevada that has the opportunity to create a much needed women's center in our small community, but we need to raise $45000 in the next two weeks to take advantage of a generous offer by a property owner in Carson, to make this center a reality.

Talia, Friends of Existence is a small church that has been operating in Carson City, Nevada for the past fifteen years. For a while now, our members have wanted to make a difference in the lives of women in the Carson City area. We have found that many in our congregation, especially women, for a myriad of reasons (divorce, age, lack of education, etc.), need help developing skills and gaining confidence to re-enter or improve their position in the work force. To this purpose, we have a vision for creating a women's center in our community. One month ago we learned of a property in Carson (201 Fleischman Way, Carson City, NV 89703) that would suit the center's needs. After reaching out to the owner, she has agreed to donate a major portion of the asking price of her building, a gift of over $125,000, towards the center. Being a business woman herself, however, one condition of the donation/sale is that the house close prior to year-end. So, our original inquiry into her possible interest in a donation has turned into an all-out scramble to raise the capital we need to make the center a reality. Over the last month, we have raised $57,000, in loans and donations, but we need to raise an additional $45,000 by the 15th of this month (December 2015) in order to meet her condition. We need the help of generous donors, like yourself, to take advantage of this offer and to get the center up and running. As you consider this, let me tell you of our vision for the center.

We have seen that women truly benefit from a place to go, to learn skills, gain confidence and be a part of something creative, vibrant and alive. Women, in particular, flourish in a community effort, while at the same time, can become overwhelmed and struggle under the weight of feeling like they need to do it alone. This center has the chance to not only enrich the lives of women by helping them to recognize and manifest their talents and their importance to the community, but will also become a place for people to come together, as well as a cultural center for Carson. We see the center initially operating on three levels. The first will be classes. In our spiritual community alone we have many skilled craftswomen, business women, and leaders all eager to share their experiences and skills with other women. In the last month, as we have actively worked to get this project off the ground, more and more women are coming out of the wood work; doctors, lawyers, even the banker who had to turn us down for a loan, all want to come teach, learn, and be a part of this venture. The classes could run from learning a craft, like knitting or sewing, to classes in self-awareness, wellness, and motivational speakers, along with more business oriented classes like how to acquire a loan, write a resume, or what you need to know to start your own business.

The second and third levels will work together to attract people to the center. We want to create a tea shop/boutique where women can sell their arts and crafts and promote their skills and business ventures with others. Tea shops have become all the rage and this one will not only be run by and will employ women in the Carson area, but in combination with the gallery/boutique and events, can also become a cultural center and meeting place for the community at large. Additionally, the shop/cafe will help fund future operations for the center.

We will create times when women can come together to network and find employment. A place where a new housekeeper can meet a professional who needs her home cleaned, or the seamstress can find work until she is able to open her own location. A place where the graphic artist can collaborate with an attorney or shop owner on a new web site. Musicians will be encouraged to play at the center. Women interested in starting new ventures will be welcome to host evenings open to the public sharing their ideas or products. And all of this will happen in a warm and quality environment, one that women will thrive in.

This is our vision at this point, but we fully expect the center to grow and take on a life of its own over time, just like the women who will benefit from its existence.

Please help us to make this center a reality. We need your generous donation, and we need it now. Your tax-deductible gift will change the lives of women in need in the Carson city area. Thank you for making a difference in the lives of women in our small community.