Parenting is a challenge even in the best of circumstances, but it can be especially trying when you’re a young, single mother with no roof over your head. The Haven of Grace is an Old North St. Louis nonprofit offering shelter and other critical services to pregnant, homeless young women age 18 and up so they can have healthy babies and enjoy promising futures. The organization has been helping women build better lives for three decades now, so it has a great deal to celebrate.
The Haven of Grace relies mostly on private donations to support its operations, and events are an important part of its fundraising program. This year, the organization is spicing things up with a new masquerade gala, Revealing the Faces of Hope, at an unconventional venue—the conference center at the Lewis Rice law firm, which is donating use of the space. “The center is a beautiful area on the 25th floor of the building,” says Moneta Group financial adviser Laura Hessel, who co-chairs the event with Tom Wall. “Its main room has a lovely half-moon window overlooking downtown and the Gateway Arch, perfect for gala photo opportunities. It will be a wonderful evening of mingling, food, champagne and cocktails.”
Hessel says the 30th anniversary event Feb. 24 will offer some traditional features like a live auction with several high-end items. But rather than packing a lot of other activities and presentations into the evening, The Haven of Grace wants it to be remembered simply as “a really fun party” with lots of opportunities for socializing and learning about the organization. “It’s a masquerade, so we hope to see some elaborate masks,” Hessel notes. “Another new feature we’re including is a set of posters featuring residents, staff members and board members. Guests download an app on their phones and hold them up to the posters, which then ‘come to life’ on the screen and tell each person’s story. It’s a very creative idea, and we think people will have a lot of fun with it.” LustreLights will provide music, and weather permitting, a photographer will capture memorable rooftop shots of guests with the Arch in the background.
Proceeds from the gala provide young mothers with shelter, prenatal care, assistance with GED studies, help getting into college or landing a job, and other important services, Hessel says. They also learn skills like budgeting, balancing a checkbook and cooking nutritious meals. “We’re not a large organization, but we really make a difference for the families we serve,” she notes. “These women are at a tough point in their lives and have nowhere else to go, so we help them learn how to help themselves. They create a supportive community for each other, and are as committed to positive change in their lives as we are.”
The organization’s maternity shelter houses 10 mothers, and there are seven transitional apartments. “After women leave here, we stay in contact with them for up to 10 years,” Hessel explains. “We’re one of few organizations that do that. Recently, a former resident helped cater an event for us. She used our services years ago, and now she has her own business and is giving back.”
Hessel says she loves being involved with The Haven of Grace because it strengthens families and creates a community of lasting support. “We may not be changing the world en masse, but when we can improve life for one individual, it means the world to her,” she says.
The Haven of Grace is dedicated to helping young mothers have healthy babies and successful futures. Its ‘Revealing the Faces of Hope’ gala will be held Feb. 24 at Lewis Rice. Pictured on the cover: Attorney John Hessel of Lewis Rice; resident Alicia Townley and daughter Makenzie Porter; gala co-chairs Laura Hessel of Moneta Group and Tom Wall of Mitchell Wall. For more information, call 314.621.6507 or visit havenofgracestl.org.
Cover design by Allie Bronsky | Cover photo by Tim Parker Photography
Pictured at top: The Haven of Grace helps young mothers build healthy family lives.
Photo: Cindy Tiefenbrunn
