Hand UP for Women is hosting the Hand UP for Change Auction 2022 to raise funds to support women in Knoxville who desperately need a helping hand. The auction begins online on Friday, October 21 at 12:15 a.m. and will last until Sunday October 30 until 10:00 p.m.
People can bid on more than 300 items ahead of the holiday season, making the auction a great opportunity to get some early holiday shopping in while helping local women.
Some of those items include local hand-made art, books, clothing, collectibles, crafts from local makers, gift cards to local restaurants, home and garden gifts, jewelry, various gift baskets, seasonal décor and more. A few favorite items include a Pat Summit signed basketball, a meal with Knox County Mayor Glenn Jacobs, a Volunteer Princess Sightseeing Sunset Cruise, tickets to Soaky Mountain Water Park and a Josh Heupel signed football.
Hand UP for Women has helped hundreds of local women overcome harsh realities to achieve a better life. Through the community’s financial support, this worthy nonprofit can impact even more women across Knoxville and East Tennessee who need resources to get their lives back on track.
For 20 years Hand UP for Women has supported East Tennessee’s broken women who hail from a variety of walks of life. Women who have endured poverty, addiction, abuse or economic instability turn to Hand UP for Women ready to rise from the despair and countless challenges they have faced.
Participants in the program have devoted their lives to changing their pasts and creating bright, stable futures for themselves and their families. More than 100 graduates have built their lives faithfully rooted in God thanks to Hand UP for Women. The goal is to create a healthier, happier and financially independent life and career for women who have dealt with hardships.
“I often tell our participants that to change their lives permanently, they must find a new playground with new playmates,” Executive Director, Eva Pierce, said.
Women build relationships with others who have overcome similar struggles. The women gain a support group, friends and mentors they can rely on. These women have endured hardships most of us can only imagine. Many have escaped abusive relationships, are working to overcome homelessness or drug addiction. Many have found themselves falling into a life of crime when they saw no other way out.
Hand UP For Women has transformed people’s lives including program participant Crystal. who said “I have changed how I treat my life. I am responsible for what I do. I try my best to wake up every day and make the decision to choose to be more Christ -like.”
This Knoxville-based non-profit teaches life skills and job preparedness, through a faith-based approach. The funds raised from the auction will help make the yearlong program better for the next class and allow it to grow. It has a limited budget so donations will make a difference.
For a year women participate in at least eight hours of classes along with mentoring. The long-term investment allows them to gain new friends and have a new life filled with safe and healthy choices.
Classes include setting goals, improving self-concept, learning table manners, dressing appropriately, discovering a career, studying financial security, gaining computer skills, creating a resume, developing interviewing skills, managing relationships and emotion, learning car skills and accepting their past and finding peace with it. They also learn spiritual development with Bible study and participate in milestone celebrations. Women graduate feeling like they have a new family thanks to the support they receive from their fellow students, mentors, teachers and volunteers.
Women who complete the program go on to live self-sufficient, successful lives. Many have come back to Hand UP for Women to mentor, teach classes, donate money and serve Hand UP for Women in a variety of ways.
The goal is to raise $20,000 from this year’s auction to help transform the lives of the women who participate in the program. Those who do not wish to bid can still donate. Donations give participants hope to develop a better life, one that is filled with joy and serving others.
The program’s goal is to “turn hard realities into abundant living.” The community’s support can go a long way to helping each one of the participants achieve success and become a new woman.
The auction is sponsored by Broadway Automotive and Midway Rehabilitation Center.