Cara Knox had the will to make a difference.

S. Patrice Sheppard had the way.

The Women’s Foundation saw the chance to do what it does best—match need with talent.

As executive director of Lydia’s House—a nonprofit in Washington, D.C. that provides social services, emotional support and educational resources to low-income families—Sheppard had the resources, skills and experience to make a difference in the lives of low-income families in Washington, D.C., the majority of which are headed by single women.

Burson-Marsteller—a global public relations and public affairs agency—was looking for a pro bono client in the Washington, D.C. area.  With her colleagues, Knox networked with The Women’s Foundation until she found Lydia’s House. 

The two were introduced at The Women’s Foundation’s Leadership Luncheon in 2002.

“The next thing I knew, she was developing an ad campaign for us,” says Shepphard.  “I would never have had the time or expertise to do that on my own.”

Taking Knox’s lead, Burson-Marsteller helped Lydia’s House draft a strategic communications and messaging plan. They developed their Web site, a media tool-kit and secured press coverage through managing interviews and press conferences.   “Before long,” explains Knox, “I joined Lydia’s House’s board of directors as secretary and then served as vice chair. I am also a communications representative for the organization.”

With Burson-Marsteller’s pro bono contributions, Lydia’s House was able to leverage the work they were doing in providing low-income women with financial training on debt reduction, savings and home ownership – programs funded by the The Women’s Foundation’s Stepping Stones—into an additional grant of $800,000 from HSBC-North America for financial educational workshops for women.

Ninety-six workshops to be exact.

It worked. 

Shontis Douglas of Suitland, Maryland, who had fallen behind in her bills, says, “After taking the course, I realized I never really understood how the credit system worked. Lydia’s House laid out the options for me. From this point, on, I have the power to change my circumstances.”

“It’s the model of ‘each one, teach one, each one, reach one,’” adds Sheppard, “The thing that impresses me about The Women’s Foundation is the fact that the generosity of spirit represented by Cara Knox is multiplied countless times throughout the city.”

To learn more about how The Women’s Foundation—and our donors and supporters—are partnering with organizations like Lydia’s House to change lives of women and girls, visit:

• Stepping Stones 2006 Report: Paving Women’s Pathways to Economic Security
• Stepping Stones overview and FEWC grants
• Other Ask Us How

Then Ask Us How you can get involved in changing lives by giving or volunteering!