Over $620,000 Raised at Calvary Women’s Services’ 2026 Hope Gala
Media Contact:
Lauren Etti
Communications Manager
Calvary Women’s Services
letti@calvaryservices.org
(202) 678-2341
WASHINGTON, DC, May 8, 2026 – On April 16, hundreds gathered for the 2026 Hope Gala for an incredible evening dedicated to celebrating women ending their homelessness and those that support them. By the end of the night, Calvary Women’s Services had raised more than $620,000 to support women experiencing homelessness.
“More than 1,000 women experience homelessness in our city every night,” said Chief Executive Officer, Kris Thompson. “At Calvary, we provide not just housing, but the support women need to rebuild their lives.”
The evening also included recognition of individuals and partners whose leadership and commitment have been instrumental in advancing Calvary’s mission.
Our 2026 Partner of the Year, the Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO), was honored at the Hope Gala. BIO has been a key partner in the expansion of Calvary’s programs. BIO’s mission is rooted in a mission of expanding access to care and improving lives. That mission is deeply reflected in its partnership with Calvary. This award was accepted by BIO’s Senior Director of Facilities Management & Internal Events, Tanika Majette.
“That’s why one of BIO’s most impactful partnerships is with Calvary, because our missions align: to make people and communities healthier and happier places to live,” Majette shared. “BIO may be tonight’s Partner of the Year, but we are all partners in this worthy and life-changing cause.”
The other award of the evening went to Dee Martin, Bracewell LLP, nationally recognized women’s advocate, and former Calvary Board President. Martin was given the 2026 Hope Award for her lifelong work shaping policy, influencing systems, and opening doors for women all over the world.
In her remarks, Martin shared “In my line of work, we often say, “Hope is not a strategy.” But hope is where every strategy begins.”
While the evening celebrated what is possible, it also underscored what is at stake.
Proposed budget cuts to housing and supportive services in DC threaten access to the very resources that are essential for women rebuilding their lives.
“These proposed cuts follow a year where we have already seen cuts to essential services in our city,” Thompson said. “Many of the resources that support people in breaking the cycles of poverty and homelessness are already starting to disappear. That’s why Calvary’s work matters more than ever.”
With the generosity of our supporters, women across DC will continue to have a path forward and a safe place to work toward independence.
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About Calvary Women’s Services
Calvary Women’s Services provides housing, healthcare, education and employment programs that empower women experiencing homelessness in Washington, DC to achieve stability and independence through a holistic, trauma-informed approach.