Fresh Start Women's Foundation

Scroll down or select from the list below to read about recent events.

2007 Fashion Gala is a Star Moment for Fresh Start
2006 Volunteer Recognition Luncheon
2006 Secret Garden Theater Event
Auxiliary Board’s 1st Annual Breakfast
Starting Fresh Helps Women Return to School
2006 Golf Classic
2006 Mentoring Party

11th Annual Fashion Gala is a Star Moment for Fresh Start

The 11th Annual Fresh Start Fashion Gala was held at the Arizona Biltmore on February 10, 2007 to support Arizona women who turn to Fresh Start for self-sufficiency.

The evening, hosted by Westcor's Luxury Collection stores, drew a full house of more than 750 people to a spectacular New York Style Runway show. The show included fashions by Escada, St. John , Louis Vuitton, Jennifer Croll, Mahsa (Stella McCartney), and Saks Fifth Avenue showcasing Alexander McQueen. The event also included live and silent auctions, an elegant dinner and a drawing for a 2007 Lexus RX 400h.

The evening concluded with a special video presentation of women sharing their journeys through life and how Fresh Start Women’s foundation has made a lasting impact.

Gala Chairs, Cathy Kleeman and Debbie Simons, exceeded last year’s net proceeds bymore than $1.1 million. The event was a major success and the money raised will benefit thousands of women who are served by the Jewell McFarland Lewis - Fresh Start Women’s Foundation.

2006 Volunteer Recognition Luncheon

The Second Annual Volunteer Recognition event was held on Friday, March 24, 2006. More than 550 volunteers that supported Fresh Start in 2005 from the areas of Education, Mentoring, Events, and Center support were recognized for their involvement with Fresh Start. In 2005, our dedicated volunteers gave over 11,570 hours of their time to Fresh Start.

Over 70 volunteers were present at the luncheon to hear the welcoming comments from Sandy Cowen, Chief Executive Officer, and keynote address by Marlene Klotz Collins, who has a long history in leadership with the Fresh Start Women’s Foundation. Also in attendance were the Foundation’s founders, Pat Petznick and Beverly Stewart.

Mara Miller and Josephine Work, long-term volunteers, both received special honors for 250 hours of service in 2005 and 500 initial service hours.

Fresh Start presented all volunteers with a variety of thank you gifts and hosted a beautiful luncheon event. Anyone reading this article interested in volunteering in administration, career coaching, library, mentor, special events, reception desk, and special needs are asked to contact Donna Martin by phone at 602-261-7148.

A Secret Garden' Theater Event

Friday, April 7, 2006, was a magical evening for many Fresh Start clients and supporters. More than 300 friends of Fresh Start attended the Childsplay production of The Secret Garden at the beautiful Herberger Theater. Thanks to American Express, who generously donated the April 7th, 7:00 pm performance to Fresh Start, all ticket proceeds benefitted the Jewel McFarland Lewis - Fresh Start Women’s Resource Center.

In addition to the play, there was a silent auction and an opportunity for guests to meet the actors and ask questions. The event raised more than $14,000 to support the programs and services offered at the Women's Resource Center.

Many tickets were underwritten which provided a great opportunity to introduce the theatre to Fresh Start clients and their children who would not have otherwise been able to attend.

Auxiliary Board’s 2nd Annual Breakfast
Shared the Heart of Our Vision

The Auxiliary Board’s 2nd Annual Fresh Start Breakfast was another outstanding success led by Committee Co-Chairs, Stacy Bayless and Laura Piel. For those who attended, one could attest that nothing, but pure emotion filled the room as heartwarming stories were presented by the women and clients of Fresh Start. The Breakfast was held at the Arizona Biltmore Resort and Spa on May 4, 2006; nearly 600 friends and supporters were present.

Catherine Anaya, Fresh Start’s Auxiliary Board member and Channel 5 News anchor, was the emcee for the morning’s event. Catherine’s own story of life’s challenges moved the audience and led into other inspiring testimonies. Fresh Start’s Chief Executive Officer, Sandy Cowen, shared the extended impact of our work and a video was shown highlighting our clients’ walks to triumph. Peggy, a Fresh Start mentee, and Elizabeth, a Fresh Start legal client, shared their emotional testimonies.

The Fresh Start Breakfast is an annual fundraising project of the Fresh Start Auxiliary Board. To add your name to the guest list or to become a table host for next year’s free event, please contact Kristina White, Development Manager, at 602-261-7120.

Starting Fresh Helps Women Return to School

On Saturday, August 6th, the Third Annual Starting Fresh event was held at the Women's Resource Center. The event was sponsored by the 1st National Bank of Arizona. Eighty Eight women attended the event which featured workshops on getting scholarships, financial aid, alternative delivery of courses, and how to get started. There were representatives from 13 colleges and universities in the state, two schools of post-High School vocational education, and a representative from an organization that provides student loans. All of the 88 women were delighted with the presentations and the opportunity to get information on various schools. They also very much enjoyed their book bags filled with school supplies, provided by 1st National Bank of Arizona.

The best part is that women who registered for classes were eligible to enter a drawing for one of three $500 scholarships, also provided by the Bank. Of the women attending the event 98% were returning to school in the near future.

2006 Golf Classic

The 12th Annual Fresh Start Charity Golf Classic, was held on Friday, November 10th at the Starfire Golf Club in Scottsdale. Hosted by the Fresh Start Men’s Board, it was a unique and a truly fun experience. Presented by the Pinnacle Nissan Infiniti Dealers, this action-packed event featured 18 holes of golf with a car on every hole and 18 chances to win a brand new Infiniti automobile. Tournament player Amp Lee hit an amazing hole-in-one shot and a 2007 Infiniti FX45. Other prizes included cash, Westcor Gift Cards for closest to the pin on each hole, and a chance to win one million dollars for select participants in the hole-in-one shoot-out.

The 2006 Charity Golf Classic netted nearly $227,000, which directly benefits the Jewell McFarland Lewis - Fresh Start Women’s Resource Center.

The Men’s Board has hosted the fundraiser since 2000 when they first committed to raising over $750,000 in five years for Fresh Start. The group has exceeded its goal by raising nearly $1,484,000 to benefit the Foundation’s unique self-help center for women.

For information on the 2007 Golf Classic, please contact Natalie Dobson, Fresh Start’s Events Manager at (602) 261-7126.

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2006 Mentoring Party

This year marked the 6th Annual Fresh Start Mentoring Holiday Party- a time when mentors and mentees join together in celebration of personal growth and overwhelming victory! Forty mentors and 70 mentees celebrated the emotional testimonies of women breaking down obstacles and building up dreams.

The highlight of the evening was announcing the winner of the 2007 Mentee Inspiration Award. The decision was extremely difficult but Robyn Elliot was selected as this year’s recipient. Former Inspiration Award winners read a poem written especially for the winner. They also presented her with flowers and a gift certificate to Body & Soul Spa for a massage, which they purchased for her.

The evening also included the presentation of the 2 nd Annual Mentor of the Year award, which was presented to Janice Hourihan. Janice has been a mentor since 2003 and fully embodies all the qualities of being a great mentor.

This event is for mentors and mentees as well as invited guests. Contact Kristy Baker-Chorba, Mentoring Manager, at (602) 261-7132 for more information.