Voices of Women to hold 5th annual benefit honoring Cesar Chavez Service Clubs

By Dave Fidlin | SDUN Reporter

Before the tragic events of 9/11 left an indelible scar on the nation’s history, Jenni Prisk had contemplated forming an organization aimed at empowering the oppressed.

When the tragedies happened, Prisk did her part to make the world a better place. The end result: Voices of Women, a non-profit organization touted as a group for peace-minded people to come together and share their commitment toward education and international issues in United States foreign policy.

Voices of Women was officially formed Oct. 17, 2001, and by fast-forwarding a dozen years, Prisk and supporters have seen Voices of Women grow, spurred by a group of volunteers who hold a number of lectures and other events throughout the year. Voices of Women lends its support to disparate organizations, including the Daraja Academy for Girls in East Africa.

Closer to home, Voices of Women also supports two organizations: The Tomorrow Project, a San Diego group teaching formerly homeless women business skills, and the United Women of East Africa Support Team, which is comprised of East African refugee women who currently live in San Diego.

In the past five years, Voices of Women has added an annual benefit to its list of functions. The organization’s Beyond Borders Benefit is held at Top of the Park in Bankers Hill, and the 2013 gala is planned for Oct. 24.

Prisk said the Beyond Borders Benefit is not only an opportunity to put the spotlight on empowerment and the virtues of education, it also is an evening of showcasing other nonprofits with like-minded mission statements.

Last year, for example, members of the North Park-based Eveoke Dance Theatre were honored. This year, recognition and a financial contribution is going to Cesar Chavez Service Clubs for the organization’s work within San Diego schools.

“It’s rare you have one non-profit organization recognizing another non-profit organization,” Prisk said. “But we feel it’s important to lend our support to like-minded organizations that have aligned their missions with ours. We’ve realized it isn’t just about us.”

Prisk said she and other members of the board overseeing Voices of Women take the award ceremony seriously and spend considerable time looking into assorted San Diego-based organizations.

“We take some time to look at them, and we do it real carefully,” Prisk said. “We feel that there is tremendous power in partnership. The more organizations in San Diego partner together, the greater the impact on the city as a whole.”

Anne Rast, director of the board overseeing Voices of Women, said Cesar Chavez Service Clubs’ mission statement mirrors the one set by Voices of Women.

“Through education programs, the Service Clubs teach about service to others, helping the most needy, nonviolence, accepting all people, respect for life and celebrating community,” Rast said. “Much like Voices of Women, their excellent work assists girls and women in our local community.”

To showcase their mission, the Service Clubs’ logo is divided into five elements that represent the organization’s core values: a dove for nonviolence; a heart for embracing others in a positive and loving way; a tree for respect of self, others and the environment; a hand symbolizing being active in the community; and the Earth, represeting the “greater good for this world,” their website states.

Education and empowerment are the overarching themes of the benefit, and Prisk said she hopes attendees keep both ideals at the forefront of the evening. But a number of festivities are planned, including cocktails and a three-course dinner with a jazz concert.

There also will be several guest speakers and a silent auction to raise funds for future programs sponsored by Voices of Women.

Prisk said she and other Voices of Women leaders remain committed to growing the organization by adding events and lending support to organizations whenever possible.

“We like to think of ourselves as a small, but mighty, organization,” Prisk said.

For more information on Voices of Women, visit voicesofwomen.org or call 858-642-6771. For information on Cesar Chavez Service Clubs, visit chavezclubs.org.

AT A GLANCE
WHO: Voices of Women
WHAT: Fifth annual Beyond Borders Benefit
WHEN: 6 to 10 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 24
WHERE: Top of the Park, 525 Spruce St.
COST: $85 in advance, $100 at the door; advance tickets can be purchased via PayPal at voicesofwomen.org/who-we-support/beyond-borders-benefit/ or by sending a check: 8677 Villa La Jolla Dr. #1214, La Jolla, CA 92037