WOMAN ALONE (501c3)

Mission Statement: 

Our nonprofit is dedicated to providing support, empowerment, and resources to women who have been affected by domestic violence. Our goal is to create a safe and nurturing environment that acts as a haven where survivors can heal and rebuild their lives. By offering comprehensive services that address breaking the cycle of abuse, we can focus on the emotional and psychological needs of victims. 

Through our programs, initiatives, and community engagement,  we aim to raise awareness about domestic violence of every kind, advocate for policy changes, and promote education on healthy relationships in a society that fosters respect.  

Our ultimate goal is to empower survivors to regain their independence and find their voice. Together, we can empower, thrive in a world free from domestic violence, restore hope, and create a brighter future for women and children impacted by domestic violence.

Prior to the eviction I had started planning a large-scale launch event for Woman Alone. I had been planning it in my mind for years, so it didn't take long to get the ball rolling. I reached out to an old industry connection and was able to score 12 gorgeous, brand new Helmut Lang Denim Jackets - worth $440 a piece - to use for the project. I had begun community outreach, and was in active conversation with a luxury venue that typically charges $11,500–$12,500 per day and $17,500 for an entire weekend.

This venue agreed to donate the full weekend to support the event. That level of support and interest speaks to both the legitimacy of my plans and the level of community engagement I had begun to foster. RUPCO’s negligence didn’t just destroy inventory — it dismantled the launch of a nonprofit effort that would have directly helped women in crisis.

Fashion for Freedom was symbolic; a way of saying, “If I can do it, so can you.” A way of saying, “You’re not alone.” I was finally in a place where I had escaped my abuser, built something of my own, and was ready to give back—to help women who were still where I had once been. I was securing a luxury venue that believed in me enough to donate a full weekend valued at $17,500. This event would have helped local artists get their work seen, brought the community together for a greater cause,  launched my nonprofit for domestic violence survivors and been the first step toward creating real, tangible support for women like me.

But because of RUPCO’s negligence and the loss of my store, I have gone from preparing to help survivors to becoming one again. I am back in the same fear, instability, and powerlessness I fought so hard to escape. I can’t help them anymore—because I can’t even help myself. It is something I carry with me every day and it makes me feel sick.