Society: Group aiding young women, girls marks 30 years

Alternatives for Girls, an organization committed to helping homeless and high-risk girls and young women, marked its 30th anniversary Thursday with the 2017 Role Model Dinner at Cobo Center.

WDIV-TV news anchor Rhonda Walker served as emcee, adding her vivacious personality and firsthand knowledge of helping young women.

Some 400 people attended the event, raising more than $300,000 that will support all of Alternatives for Girls programs throughout the year, allowing it to provide shelter, crisis intervention, educational and college preparation, and support for victims of human trafficking to hundreds of girls and young women.

“We are overwhelmed by and grateful for the incredible support from everyone who attended the event and our many corporate sponsors,” says Amy Good, Alternatives CEO. “This was the most successful event that we’ve ever had. It will continue to be our privilege to translate the generous financial support into powerful services and opportunities for the girls and young women we serve.”

The presenting sponsor of the event was DTE Energy Foundation with Don Manvel and Barbara Whittaker as co-hosts. The honored Role Models were Cindy Estrada, vice president of the United Auto Workers, Carol Goss, former CEO of Skillman Foundation, and Dr. Rosemary Sarri, professor emerita of social work at the University of Michigan.

The evening also included dinner, silent and live auctions (which raised over $45,000), an inspiring testimony from a young woman named Sheria, who is from the Alternatives for Girls shelter program, and the “Fund the Mission” exercise, which raised $56,000.

Chuck Bennett is the creator of TheSocialMetro.com and is the Fox 2 News Style Ambassador.