The Downtown Women’s Center recently hosted Dinner With A Cause, its annual fundraising gala, at Vibiana in downtown Los Angeles.

Elected officials and community leaders attended the Oct. 18 event, which included speeches from Downtown Women’s Center CEO Lisa Watson, Congresswoman Maxine Waters (D-Calif.) and DWC advocate Ericka Newsome.

“For all women, the security of a permanent home is the foundation for which we will fight until we see the day that there is no woman unhoused in Los Angeles,” Watson said.

“Ending women’s homelessness requires a sensitivity to these needs of homeless women and organizations like the Downtown Women’s Center are leading the charge in not only fulfilling these needs but in treating women with the respect and dignity that they deserve,” Waters added.

The annual event also honored community leaders in the fight to end homelessness. DWC recognized Anthem Blue Cross Foundation for its commitment to enhancing health in underserved communities. Additionally, DWC honored Councilman Jose Huizar, 14th District, and Richelle Huizar for their work in addressing the city’s affordable housing crisis, and Sondra Salas, of Universal Studios Hollywood, for overseeing DWC’s monthly enrichment workshop, Whole Woman Saturdays.

“Dinner With A Cause” raised funds for the organization’s services for over 4,000 women experiencing homelessness. Newsome, a former client of the center, expressed the importance the organization has in her life.

“My life changed when I found the Downtown Women’s Center. The moment I walked through the doors, I immediately felt welcome. Newsome said. “Just because I was homeless, doesn’t mean I got there because of bad choices. I wasn’t addicted to drugs or alcohol. I wasn’t lazy. I followed all the rules. I am well educated and had a good job. But it wasn’t enough. It was the high cost of housing in Los Angeles that drove me into homelessness.”

For information, visit downtownwomenscenter.org.