Heads Up

Benefit Luncheon Raises Funds, Renews Hopes

Thanks to the generous support of sponsors and 500+ guests, Building Changes raised more than $250,000 through its annual benefit luncheon on May 5th!

This year's theme was "BE THE CHANGE," a concept echoed in Danny Glover's keynote address (see related blog entry: Architects of Our Own Rescue) and in an exercise led by Carla Javits, President of REDF, where guests were asked to write down their fears and then their hopes -- specifically, one thing they would commit to doing to turn their fear into hope.

Another high point of the event was a very moving video presentation, which combined compelling images with the powerful words of Julia K. Dinsmore, from her poem, My Name is Not "Those People," as voiced by Danny Glover. The poem is included in Ms. Dinsmore's recent book, My Name Is Child of God ... Not "Those People": A First-Person Look at Poverty.

During the luncheon, Building Changes also presented special awards to The Boeing Company and Employees Community Fund (ECF) of Boeing Puget Sound for their legacy of outstanding support and visionary philanthropic leadership. Liz Vivian, Senior Manager of Global Corporate Citizenship at The Boeing Company, and Dick Walker, President of the ECF Board of Trustees, were on hand to accept the awards (shown in the photo below with Betsy Lieberman, Building Changes' Executive Director, and Sam 'Tripp' Hunter, Building Changes' Board President).

We are proud of our long-time partnership with Building Changes and deeply profound work the organization is doing. Betsy, the Board and Staff of this powerful organization continue to lead the way on one of the most important issues to the Boeing Company and to our region -- improving economic opportunities for people who are experiencing homelessness, while revolutionizing the entire human service delivery system to help more families work more effectively towards long-term economic self-sufficiency. It is absolutely incredible work that is happening, and we are so honored to have been a partner in it. That kind of change is a gift to the wider community, because people who live confidently, people who are provided opportunities to contribute their talents and their skills will together create the kind of vibrant, healthy, and prosperous community , in which individuals, families, and children can all thrive.

—Liz Vivian, The Boeing Company

All of the funds raised through the luncheon will directly support Building Changes’ efforts to end homelessness in Washington State and to ensure that everyone has the opportunity for a home, a healthy life, and a good job. We are so grateful to our sponsors, guests, board, staff, and volunteers for making the luncheon such a success.

Even if you weren't able to attend this year's luncheon, it's not too late to make a gift to Building Changes! Your contribution will still be matched dollar for dollar thanks to a challenge grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. In addition, those who make individual gifts of $250 or more will receive a complimentary copy of the CD, Give US Your Poor - 17 New Recordings to End Homelessness, which includes Danny Glover's recording of Julia Dinsmore's poem, My Name is Not "Those People."

We are lucky in this community that Building Changes chooses to do their work here. Many of us walk by people who are homeless every day and we want to do something, but we don't know what to do. Building Changes knows what to do, and they know how to do it. They are a trustworthy group, they doggedly pursue a focused mission with excellence, they innovate, they deliver at scale on the promise of ending homelessness for thousands of people.

—Carla Javits, President, REDF

To view more photos from Building Changes' benefit luncheon, go to the Team Photogenic event website.