A young girl and her grandmother were walking down the beach. It was a beautiful afternoon and the tide had pulled back leaving hundreds of starfish stranded on the sand. The girl began picking up starfish and throwing them back into the sea. Her grandmother said, “Why do you run about? There are hundreds of starfish and you can’t possibly save them all.”Her granddaughter stopped, looked carefully at the starfish in her hand and, as she threw it back into the water, said, “Maybe not, Grandma, but I can make a difference for this one.”

In the vast sky of challenges and adversities, every child holds the potential to be a rising star. With the right environment and support, these young souls can illuminate the darkest of nights with their resilience and hope. This year, at our 17th Annual Starfish Luncheon, we celebrate the journey of turning potential into brilliance.

Our theme, ‘Rising Stars’ is a tribute to the incredible transformation we witness every day in the children we serve. It’s a celebration of how, with nurturing and care, these children can rise above their circumstances, shining bright and strong. Children who have witnessed or been in an environment around domestic violence face many challenges that can follow them through adulthood, and Women In Distress makes every effort to help these children get on the right path.

We are thrilled to honor three stellar donors whose generous support has been pivotal in creating an environment where our little stars can thrive. They are our Rising Stars – not just for their financial contributions but for their unwavering belief in our mission. Their support has enabled us to rise to the occasion, time and again, to meet the needs of our community’s most vulnerable. Because of them, we can provide the care, education, and empowerment these young stars need to shine. Join us as we honor our Rising Stars – our children and our donors – and reaffirm our commitment to nurturing a brighter future for every child survivor in our community.