Rainbow Village

Breaking the cycle of homelessness, poverty, and domestic violence

We Are Family Benefit Gala

Rainbow Village Witnesses Outpouring from Community during First Ever Virtual Benefit Gala

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Largest Fundraiser of the Year to Support the Programs of Nonprofit Dedicated to Ending Homelessness – One Family at a Time – Proves an Unexpected Success

Duluth, Ga., November 17, 2020 – Each year for the last 22 years, Rainbow Village has played host to its much-anticipated We Are Family Benefit Gala – marking the nonprofit’s largest annual fundraiser. Easily earning the title of the event of the season, guests arrive at The Atlanta Athletic Club dressed in gowns and tuxedos to not only learn about the important work Rainbow Village is doing to help homeless families in need, but also to learn what they can do to help. At the end of last year’s Benefit Gala, the Duluth-based nonprofit had touched the hearts of its 300+ guests and raised an unprecedented $337,893 to support operation and maintenance of Rainbow Village’s campus that houses a community center, family services center and apartments to house 30 families, as well as the life-changing programming it offers that allow families to confidently embark on the journey to self-sufficiency and thrive beyond their time at the “Village.” In the face of COVID-19, Rainbow Village made the difficult decision to take this beloved event virtual. It livestreamed on Saturday, November 7, and by the end of the evening, the nonprofit had raised $220,000 – well above its goal.

“Because we weren’t hosting the Gala at our favorite ballroom at the Atlanta Athletic Club, we didn’t charge admission – which usually helps cover the cost of the venue but also goes towards our fundraising goal,” said Melanie Conner, CEO of Rainbow Village. “For that reason, our goal was a bit more conservative than in years past. Not to mention the fact that our livestream was running up against some contentious college football games and we weren’t certain how much our donor base had been affected by the pandemic from a health and financial standpoint. There were a lot of uncertainties going into the event, but uncertainty is what our residents have faced for much of their lives – they’ve lived and breathed it – but kept the faith. That faith… that HOPE… is what brought them to our door. So, we chose to keep the faith, too, and host the best virtual Gala event we could possibly design. It was different, for sure. We didn’t get to see the faces of those who gave so selflessly and watched our livestream from beginning to end. We could definitely feel the love by the time all was said and done, and we are so incredibly grateful for the amazing show of support.”

In addition to direct donations, the bulk of the funds raised were from sponsorships, purchases from the wine wall and mobile bidding that allowed guests to participate in the silent and live auctions. During the livestream event, virtual attendees were treated to banter from Conner and auctioneer Dean Crownover, a heartfelt testimonial from a former Rainbow Village resident and a “behind-the-scenes” virtual tour of the Rainbow Village campus. For anyone unable to attend the Gala who still wants to show their support for the nonprofit and the families it serves, Rainbow Village has launched its year-end campaign to meet all operational costs for 2020. Included among these costs are the maintenance of its facilities and the unforeseen expenses of Digital Learning support for the children of Rainbow Village, such as the purchase of new technology and the hiring of full-time instructional coaches.

Sponsors of this year’s event, dubbed the 2020 Rainbow Village We Are Always Family Benefit Gala, included: Northside Hospital-Gwinnett, Metro Waterproofing Inc., Wilson-Lewis CPAs, Porter Steel, Pleasant Hill Presbyterian Church, Rock Paper Scissors Branding & Marketing, Quantum National Bank, Community Foundation for Northeast Georgia, Peachtree Corners Business Association, SRD Photography, CIBO & VINO, Jeremy Whigham Design, The Lorentzen Family, The Bass Family, The Fletcher Family, The Morgan Family, The Kress Family and Leslie Harrison.

Donations to Rainbow Village can be made securely online at www.RainbowVillage.org.

About Rainbow Village:  Established in 1991, Rainbow Village is a transformative 501(c)3 nonprofit program located in Duluth, GA that serves families that are currently experiencing homelessness. Our model provides safe housing, education, and community support systems that allow families to confidently embark on the journey to self-sufficiency and thrive beyond our village. To learn more about Rainbow Village, register as a volunteer or make a tax-deductible donation, visit www.rainbowvillage.org.

Rainbow Village “We Are Family” Benefit Gala Gets New Name and Venue for 2020

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COVID-19 Prompts Nonprofit Dedicated to Ending Homelessness – One Family at a Time – to Take Its Largest Fundraiser of the Year Virtual

Duluth, Ga., October 20, 2020 – Just one year ago, Duluth-based Rainbow Village hosted a record-breaking “We Are Family” Benefit Gala at the Atlanta Athletic Club. Over 300 people clad in formal attire descended upon the country club’s ballroom to enjoy silent and live auctions, seated dinner, speeches from the nonprofit’s CEO and one of its graduates, and more. By the end of the evening, the nonprofit with a mission to serve families experiencing homelessness through safe housing, education, and community support systems had raised an unprecedented $337,893. Each year, those Gala funds help support the development and implementation of programs designed to empower the families Rainbow Village serves to confidently embark on a journey to self-sufficiency so they can thrive beyond the borders of this community of transformation. This year, out of an abundance of caution for attendees and staff, Rainbow Village has elected to take its largest fundraiser of the year virtual – streaming live on November 7 starting at 7 p.m. under the new name “We Are Always Family” Benefit Gala.

“In the face of all the challenges, fears and unknowns many of us have endured this year, we have changed the name of the Gala to express our recognition that no matter what life may throw at us… we are ALWAYS family,” said Rainbow Village CEO, Melanie Conner. “Although this event may look a little different from years past, our mission remains the same… to transform the lives of homeless families. While it may look a little different than in years past, the event will still feature many fan-favorite elements – such as our live and silent auctions led by the always engaging Dean Crownover, our famous wall of wine and an inspiring speech from one of our recent graduates who is well on her way to living her best life. Best of all, this year’s Gala is free to attend. We’re hoping that our most fervent supporters will host watch parties to include their closest family members and friends in the incredibly special fellowship and sense of impact that inevitably comes with attendance at our Gala.”

Mobile bidding will allow guests to participate in the silent and live auctions, as well as in a blind selection of numbers from the wine wall for a flat rate of $35. That number will grant the recipient one of a variety of specially procured wines that range from $20 to $100 in value. To participate, prospective attendees are asked to RSVP through the Gala Event page at www.rainbowvillage.org or by texting RVGALA2020 to 76278 and follow the prompts. To learn how to host a watch party, Rainbow Village offers a list of tips and steps at https://conta.cc/3hdkXmH. To preview items in the live and silent auction, Gala guests can visit https://e.givesmart.com/events/gQs/i/.

About Rainbow Village:  Established in 1991, Rainbow Village is a transformative 501(c)3 nonprofit program located in Duluth, GA that serves families that are currently experiencing homelessness. Our model provides safe housing, education, and community support systems that allow families to confidently embark on the journey to self-sufficiency and thrive beyond our village. To learn more about Rainbow Village, register as a volunteer or make a tax-deductible donation, visit www.rainbowvillage.org.

2019 Rainbow Village “We Are Family” Benefit Gala Breaks Records

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Nonprofit Dedicated to Breaking the Cycles of Homelessness, Poverty and Domestic Violence Raised More Than $330K During Annual Fundraising Event October 12 at Atlanta Athletic Club

Duluth, Ga., October 22, 2019 – Marking one of Duluth, GA-based Rainbow Village’s largest fundraisers of the year, the 2019 Rainbow Village “We Are Family” Benefit Gala was hosted at the Atlanta Athletic Club on Saturday, October 12. Over 300 people were in attendance to enjoy silent and live auctions, seated dinner, speeches from the nonprofit’s CEO and one of its graduates, and more. By the end of the evening, the nonprofit with a mission to transform lives by breaking the cycles of homelessness, poverty and domestic violence had witnessed record-breaking results from its fundraising efforts.

“A great deal of hard work goes into planning and implementing the ‘We Are Family’ Gala each year,” shared Melanie Conner, CEO of Rainbow Village. “And each year, that hard work pays off so beautifully. Last year was my first introduction to our Gala, which has been a long-standing tradition for our organization. It’s a very special evening on so many fronts that often includes an account from one of our residents or alumni as they share their story of what Rainbow Village has brought to their lives. This year, there wasn’t a dry eye in the room as one of our graduates, Carrie Chaney – who now serves as Program Alumni Representative on our Board – painted an amazing picture of how our organization had changed her life and the lives of her children. Accounts like hers make it real for the folks in attendance and they feel a true connection to our mission and the families we’re helping. We are so grateful to our supporters, sponsors, board members and staff for the hand they had in making this one of our most impactful Galas to date.”

Carrie Chaney – Rainbow Village Alumnus and Featured Speaker at the 2019 “We Are Family” Gala – with her Friend Jonathan Murray

In 2017, the Rainbow Village “We Are Family” Gala raised $276,000. By 2018’s event, the number rose to an astounding $300,000. This year’s event raised an unprecedented $337,893. The Gala serves as one of the nonprofit’s largest fundraisers of the year, followed by the Rainbow Village Second Chance Golf Classic – which is hosted each Spring. The 2019 Second Chance Golf Classic raised $88,100 for the organization.

 “All of the proceeds from our Gala and Golf Classic go to support the operations and crucial programs available at the Rainbow Village campus,” added Conner. “We have the capacity to house and serve 30 homeless families at any given time. Unlike many homeless programs that simply provide shelter and food, we provide programming in the areas of family stability, physical and mental well-being, education and training, financial counseling, money management, career development and employment assistance. We are devoted to helping the WHOLE family – which is why we also provide programs for children on our campus. The funds we raise through events like this, as well as through grants and donations, pave the way for the homeless families we serve to move on to their NEXT home.”

The next fundraising event on Rainbow Village’s calendar is the 2020 Second Chance Golf Classic, which is slated for May 4, 2020 at TPC Sugarloaf. More information about Rainbow Village, its programs and calendar of events can be found at www.rainbowvillage.org.

About Rainbow Village:  Established in 1991 and based in Duluth, Georgia, Rainbow Village is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization devoted to breaking the cycles of homelessness, poverty and domestic violence. Committed to serving as a “community of transformation”, Rainbow Village applies a holistic, two-generational approach to serving homeless families with children. With the goal of helping families achieve emotional stability and financial independence, Rainbow Village provides housing, early childhood education and after-school care, child and youth programming, financial planning, career counseling, workforce readiness, mental health counseling, community events and more. Rainbow Village accepts applications from homeless families with minor children throughout Georgia. To learn more about Rainbow Village, register as a volunteer or make a donation, visit www.rainbowvillage.org.

Seats and Sponsorships Available for the 2019 Rainbow Village “We Are Family” Benefit Gala

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Nonprofit Dedicated to Breaking the Cycles of Homelessness, Poverty and Domestic Violence Will Host Annual Fundraising Event October 12 at Atlanta Athletic Club

Duluth, Ga., September 13, 2019 – When one thinks about homelessness, they might not envision people dressed in formal evening attire. However, when Rainbow Village hosts its “We Are Family” Benefit Gala each year, tuxedos and little black dresses are precisely what an amazing group of benefactors and advocates wear to show their support for the nonprofit with a mission to transform lives by breaking the cycles of homelessness, poverty and domestic violence. Serving as one of Duluth-based Rainbow Village’s largest fundraisers of the year, the 2019 Rainbow Village “We Are Family” Benefit Gala will be hosted at the Atlanta Athletic Club on Saturday, October 12 at 6 p.m. A number of seats and sponsorships at this popular annual event still remain.

 “Our Annual Gala serves as a celebration of sorts,” said Melanie Conner, CEO of Rainbow Village. “We’re taking a moment to recognize how very far we’ve come and how many lives we’ve touched. At the same time, we’re saying thank you to our many family, corporate, municipal and faith partners for their incredible support in the year since our last Gala. Lastly – and perhaps most importantly – we’re recognizing the fact that we still have so much more to do. Homelessness remains a major issue in this country – impacting more than 56,000 families in this country just last year alone. All of the proceeds from our Gala go to support the operations and crucial programs available at the Rainbow Village campus – which has the capacity to house and serve 30 homeless families at any given time. Unlike many homeless programs that simply provide shelter and food, we deliver the tools our residents need to transition from a life plagued by poverty or just barely getting by to a life filled with promise with the skills to not only survive but thrive!”

Individual tickets are $175/person. A number of sponsorships for this event remain, many of which include tickets or a table for 10 + opportunities for promotion. Gala tickets include champagne reception, seated dinner with complimentary wine, silent and live auctions, games with chances to win prizes and more. A favorite among attendees in recent years is participation in the wall of wine, where guests can purchase a random bottle that is potentially much more valuable than the purchase price. Proceeds from ticket sales, sponsorships, auctions and the wall of wine benefit Rainbow Village to help provide:

  • A safe place for a homeless family to live in one of 30 apartments on one campus in Duluth
  • Empowerment training for adults in the areas of workforce development, financial literacy/economic education, success coaching, mentoring and life skills workshops
  • An after-school program and an early childhood development center
  • And more…

To purchase tickets or sign on as a sponsor of the 2019 Rainbow Village “We Are Family” Benefit Gala, please visit https://e.givesmart.com/events/ddQ/. More information about Rainbow Village and its programs can be found at www.rainbowvillage.org. For those unable to attend the Gala, donations are always welcome and can be made at the Rainbow Village website.

About Rainbow Village:  Established in 1991 and based in Duluth, Georgia, Rainbow Village is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization devoted to breaking the cycles of homelessness, poverty and domestic violence. Committed to serving as a “community of transformation”, Rainbow Village applies a holistic, two-generational approach to serving homeless families with children. With the goal of helping families achieve emotional stability and financial independence, Rainbow Village provides housing, early childhood education and after-school care, child and youth programming, financial planning, career counseling, workforce readiness, mental health counseling, community events and more. Rainbow Village accepts applications from homeless families with minor children throughout Georgia. To learn more about Rainbow Village, register as a volunteer or make a donation, visit www.rainbowvillage.org.