A Night of Hope: VAWFSC's 7th Annual Every Baby Deserves a Home Gala

On October 2, 2026, Virginia Women and Family Support Center hosted its 7th Annual Every Baby Deserves a Home Gala, a heartfelt fundraiser dedicated to supporting women and families experiencing homelessness.

The evening brought people together in support of women and families, creating an atmosphere of warmth, generosity, and shared purpose. Through engaging conversations, personal stories, and special moments throughout the program, guests were reminded of the meaningful impact we can make when we unite behind a cause.

More than 230 guests gathered for an unforgettable evening filled with hope, inspiration, and the power of community. From laughter and conversation to meaningful moments of recognition and storytelling, the gala was a beautiful reminder of what we can accomplish when we come together. This special evening would not have been possible without the generosity of our community, sponsors, volunteers, and supporters.

Reflecting on the evening, Terri Davis shared her appreciation for the community that came together to support VAWFSC’s mission:

“It was wonderful to see so many people come together, dressed to the nines, to celebrate and support this important cause. I am so proud and honored to be part of VAWFSC and its mission to provide hope, healing, and transformation for women and children in our community. Together, we can make a difference, one mother, one baby, and one family at a time.”

— Terri Davis, Board Member

The Every Baby Deserves a Home Gala was made possible through the generous support of Alfred Street Baptist Church, Movement Mortgage, Micron, Virginia Housing, NOVEC HELPS, Freedom Bank, David Treadwell, Elisa Bracero, Robert Frisby, Atlantic Union Bank, Dunamis Touch Counseling, Nick Alveioli, and Olive Branch Baptist Church. We are deeply grateful for their continued commitment to our mission.

Guests were also welcomed by beautiful floral centerpieces generously donated by Melanie’s Florist, adding an elegant touch to the evening.

The celebration began with a lively social hour featuring music by Chemistry Band, a Northern Virginia-based Neo-Soul and R&B group founded in 2021. Known for their high-energy performances, dynamic musicianship, crowd-favorite mashups, and versatile sound spanning Neo-Soul, R&B, Southern Soul, and Funk, Chemistry kept guests entertained and dancing throughout the evening.

We were honored to have Sheyna Burt serve as our Mistress of Ceremonies. Her grace, energy, and presence helped set the tone for an evening centered on community and support. A distinguished attorney representing families, common interest communities, and charitable nonprofits in Virginia and Washington, D.C., Sheyna is a graduate of The College of William & Mary and William & Mary’s Marshall-Wythe School of Law. Her career reflects a strong commitment to service, leadership, and the arts.

The evening also included several meaningful moments of recognition. Micron received a certificate of appreciation, presented by Mayor Michelle Davis-Younger, in recognition of the company’s continued commitment to VAWFSC’s mission throughout the past decade.

Delegate Josh Thomas was also recognized with a certificate of appreciation for his longstanding support of VAWFSC and its mission.

Reverend Sean K. Rousseau received a certificate of appreciation for his continued support and for uplifting the mothers in our program.

Guests were then treated to an inspiring performance by Cynáa-Nicole Moorman, a vocalist, musician, and songwriter from Northern Virginia. With more than a decade of experience in music, dance, and acting, along with a talent for piano, Cynáa-Nicole brought a beautiful blend of artistry, authenticity, and passion to the stage, captivating everyone in attendance.

Guest speaker Maritza Gabriel, a survivor of domestic violence and sexual assault, shared a powerful message of hope, resilience, and empowerment. Through her personal story and advocacy, Maritza has dedicated her life to encouraging women to recognize their worth and know that they can overcome adversity. Her heartfelt message resonated deeply with guests, reminding everyone of the strength it takes not only to survive but also to thrive.

The evening’s keynote address was delivered by DeBorah Gilbert White, Ph.D., a social psychologist, diversity and inclusion specialist, and nationally recognized advocate for housing justice and individuals experiencing homelessness. As the founder of HerStory Ensemble LLC, Dr. Gilbert White brings both professional expertise and lived experience to her advocacy for homeless rights, affordable housing, dignity, and equity. She also serves with the National Coalition for the Homeless Faces of Homelessness Speakers Bureau, where she shares her story and works to advance racial equity in homeless service systems nationwide. Her powerful story and message resonated deeply with those in attendance, inspiring greater awareness, action, and advocacy for women and families experiencing homelessness.

David Treadwell also reflected on the organization's mission and the importance of meeting the everyday needs of mothers and their children:

“It’s a blessing to celebrate VAWFSC’s 10 years of meeting basic needs of some of the most vulnerable among us. Yes, every baby needs a home … and dinner and mom does too.”

— David Treadwell, Board Member

The evening came to a lively close with a saxophone performance by Tim Brown, bringing guests together once more through music and celebration.

The gala was a meaningful reflection of what can happen when a community comes together. Through the generosity of individuals, organizations, sponsors, and volunteers, Virginia Women and Family Support Center can continue providing stable housing, maternal health resources, and comprehensive wraparound support to women and families experiencing homelessness. We are deeply grateful to everyone who gives their time, resources, hearts, and hands in support of this mission.

As we celebrate 10 years of serving women and families, we are reminded that this work is made possible by a community that believes every mother and baby deserves the opportunity to build a stable and hopeful future.

Dr. Eugenia Gardner shared her thoughts on the organization's milestone and its vision for the future:

“As we celebrated the Virginia Women and Family Support Center’s 10th anniversary, we honored a decade of compassion, hope, and transforming lives. Our new capital campaign is a bold investment in the future—one that will strengthen our ability to care for women and families for generations. Together, our community is building more than a legacy of service; we are building pathways to stability, dignity, and opportunity. Because every child truly deserves a home.”

— Dr. Eugenia Gardner, Board Member

If you were unable to join us but would still like to support our work, you can help us reach our goal of raising $3.1 million to expand housing options and opportunities, advance health access and services, and create economic opportunities for women and their children experiencing homelessness. Visit vawfsc.org/foundationforthefuture to make a meaningful contribution.

Together, we are helping ensure that every baby truly deserves a home.