We at Empowered Gifts (EG) want to help liberate disadvantaged and underprivileged women from their shackles of domestic abuse, homelessness, and other socio-economic hardships all through—
The Power of the Purse.
Our one-of-a-kind, Los Angeles-based 501(c)3 nonprofit works through gift donation, financial-literacy education, and skill-based training all with the goal of securing employment. By gifting new and gently loved professional handbags, the initial step into the job force ensures each woman looks, and feels, the part—
Empowering women, one handbag at a time.
Sell your possessions and give to those that need. This will store up treasure for you in heaven that will never fail…
Purses of Heaven that will never wear out or develop holes. Your treasure will be safe, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys.
For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Luke 12:33-34
Click below to read about our mission and more about the Empowered Gifts movement.
Mission
Empowered Gifts mission is to empower WOMEN to regain their dignity through gifting handbags and training services to assist with successful employment or entrepreneurial endeavors.
Vision
Empowered Gifts vision is to project an initiative for women’s empowerment, of gifts-opportunities, wisdom-education and wealth-economic empowerment resulting in rewarding self–fulfillment for those we service.
Founder
Global humanitarian and entrepreneur, Candy Williams, brings her formidable experience in coaching/mentoring, consulting and financial management to Empowered Gifts (EG); giving women, displaced through domestic abuse, addictions, homelessness, or economic layoffs the means and inspiration to reclaim their lives and careers. Having dedicated herself to helping women recover their liberty and grace, this innovative and determined Trinidadian-American is a powerful and deeply spiritual leader. As EG’s founder, her professional background with Fortune 500 companies speaks volumes, and provides the organization with a solid foundation; holding management and consulting positions in companies such as JP Morgan Chase, Bank of America, Citibank, The Walt Disney Company, McDonald’s Corporation, 3D Systems, Estee Lauder Companies and more. Under her leadership, Empowered Gifts has grown from gifting a dozen or so handbags (to empower a small group of women professionally) to a global initiative – providing recommendation and referrals for all aspects of women’s career development.
Ms. Williams honored by Business Life Magazine as “2016 Woman Business Achievers” she continues to exemplify her life as mentioned “no person was ever honored for what he received. Honor has been the reward for what he gave.”
— Calvin Coolidge
Williams comes from an prolific family. She credits her grandparents John and Joan Williams who were the pillars for there family, as the source of her entrepreneurial spirit and philanthropist aspirations. Music held a strong presence in the family and thus was the initial form of entrepreneurship. Her grandfather, John “Buddy” Williams a legendary calypso band leader has left a treasure chest of music in the New York Smithsonian. However, she credits her grandmother, Joan Williams as the true influencer of her charter and philanthropic endeavors. Joan a self-taught, career tailor from Trinidad, and the “go to” seamstress for all things fashion inspired her granddaughter to understand and value the importance of fashion in women’s lives, in general, and the unique importance of handbags as a symbol of where we carry our power. Her grandmother was a mentor to many women in her community and was an advocate for social economic justice. Thus, for Williams, there is a deep personal connection to handbags and helping women as inspiration and legacy; proving a fit starting point for founding her organization.
FOUNDER’S PERSONAL MISSION:
To push beyond believe the ideology that a women’s handbag carries power… Holds optimism of wealth… Can revolutionize economic growth in local communities and around the world.
#Employed Women Matter
Volunteers
Interested in joining our team?
To learn more about volunteering or internship opportunities with EG,
please call us at 844-GIFTS-41 (844-443-8741)
or email info@empoweredgifts.org
We appreciate your interest!
Handbag Gifting
We know that handbags and women are like inseparable twins. Women cannot live without a handbag… because it is more than an accessory it reflects a part of who we are and the power within. We accept new or gently loved Handbags and Wallets that are in good condition, and you yourself would be happy to receive. If so desired please include your email in your donation & we will provide a word of ``Thanks`` from the recipient...
Empowered Workshops/Events
We host events throughout the year to recognize, the accomplishments of the women we service has they complete skill based training, and receive jobs to take the next steps in their lives. Our events are done collaboratively in local communities with professional advisors, education donors and City/State leaders. In 2016 the Shelters that have or will benefit from our programs are as follows:
more...
To further inspire the recipient of your donation, please place a anonymous handwritten note including one, or all of the following:
- Your wish or words of encouragement for her professional or personal success.
- If used describe your career/ journey with your this handbag
- Other uplifting words, mantras, poems, psalms, quotes, or musings
Alert Empowered Gifts when and where to pick up your donation and we will come to you with an In-Kind form for your generous taxable donation.
Note: Due to the many requests that Empowered Gifts have received, we accept handbags throughout the year
Where to Deliver Your Donated Handbags
As your heart desires please mail your donated Handbags to the following address:
3950 Laurel Canyon Blvd.
PO Box 50051
Studio City, CA. 91604
more...
Calendar
2017 Highlights:
- January 2017 Highlight
January 2016 (New Beginnings)
- Coming attractions:
Workshop\Programs\Seminars\Promotional Giving
February 2016 (Handbags Full With Love)
- Collect Donations of New Professional Styled Handbag
- Donations of Feminine Hygiene Products
March 2016 (Women’s History Month)
- Chrysalis-Women’s Empowerment Program in Santa Monica, CA:
Workshop & Handbag Gifting Event - Collaboration with Arbonne Int- Skin Care & Claudia Russini-Accessory & Handbag Designer in West Hollywood CA:
Women’s Empower Happy Hour Workshop & Handbag Donation Event
April 2016 (Month to Sponsor)
- Mission Trip for The Shiloh Church Of Oakland CA:
Youth Development trip for a young women to The Dominican Republic to the Central Mountain region & Northern Coast - MEND Poverty-San Fernando, CA
- Project Glamour 2016 For HS Seniors-Prom Night Purse Give Away
May 2016 (Honoring Mothers)
- New Directions for Veterans, Los Angeles CA.,: Celebrating Military Women
June 2016
- EG Meets The Hon. Barbara Lee Congresswoman US House of Repres.
July 2016
- Brighton Collectibles Stores, Sherman Oaks, CA
- Press Releases & Recognition Empowered Gifts chosen as an Recipient of the annual (10,000 handbags-10 days) Trade In Handbag Event
- Los Angeles Chamber Online Business Magazine Release Article on Empowered Gifts Org.
- EG Meets Hon. Ron Gaplin LA City Controller
September 2016
- Domestic Violence Awareness workshops and gifting opportunities
- Hilton Los Angeles/Universal City Choses EG As Charitable Organization to Receive Donations
- EG Participates in Mayor Eric Garcetti’s Welcome Home Project (Vote Yes On Measure HHH)
October 2016
- Appreciation Day Celebration, Watts CA
- EG Honors Educators Florence Griffith Joyner Elementary LAUSD Partnership School
- Vintage Rose Battered Women’s Shelter Corp. CA
November 2016
- Holiday Giving
- Good Shepherd Ctr.,LA CA. Zonta Burbank Chapter Partners with EG on Handbag Giveaway
- LA Chamber Event EG Participates in “Principal For A Day”
- LPCC Mission – Thanksgiving Day Event, Chatsworth CA Handbag Bouquet Giveaway
December 2016
- AEOM TR, San Jose, CA – HolidayCheer.org EG provides handbags and accessories to low income women
- Breast Cancer Angels, Los Alamitos, CA – EG provides holiday healing gifts of handbags and accessories
- Foster Care Boys LA, CA – 1st holiday celebration EG and LPCC Missions provides new wallets and gifts
We seek to EMPOWER
Empowered Gifts (EG), is a premier Initiative for empowering economically challenged women, through gifting opportunities-Handbags as a source of hope, empowering them to Walk Out of disparity, to Walk In to lives of prosperity as they enter the workforce.
Handbag Gifting
Empowered Gifts was created as a call to action to promote the achievements of disadvantage women entering the workforce. Handbags are given as the initial step in the interviewing process ensuring that each woman looks and feels the part regardless of career choice. Gifts are also given for employment longevity and for transformers of their local communities.
Job Placements (Coming Soon)
2017 will launch an expansion of our services entitled, Empowered Gifts Enterprise (EGE). We will provide jobs (internships and permanent placements) in the greater Los Angeles Metropolitan region. By matching specific skilled workers with clients, saving business time and money, while providing our workers with honesty and a dignified hand-up. Driving optimal levels of success, by engaging high-performance and inciting our workforce into greatness, aligning their talent with the company’s growth. EGTA aspires to provide qualified female staff the means to financial stability, to businesses increased productivity and to the City and State economic resurgence.
EG’s Empowerment Workshops
EG’s workshops are unique and innovative dedicated to inspiring and guiding women to re-connect their skill and to what is expected in the work environment. Through guest speakers, discussions and a variety of other dynamic activities, participants will develop tools to successfully navigate through issues every woman faces with finding and keeping jobs.
WHAT WE DO
Help Empowered Gifts
Your financial contributions are vital to the woman who want a swift in their lives. Your donations weather a handbag or monetary enables Empowered Gifts to provide gifting opportunities, financial literacy education, and skill based training, for successful employment or entrepreneurial endeavors, which ensures economic empowerment to those we service. Empowered Gifts accepts your generous donations all year around.
“I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”
Maya Angelou~
THANK YOU IN ADVANCE FOR HELPING US TO EMPOWER OTHERS!
150
Handbag Donations (2013 - 14)
290
Handbag Donations (2015)
368
Handbag Donations (2016)
818
Happy Clients (Total 2013 - 2015)
Our Work
“In every day there are 1,440 minutes, that means we have 1,440 daily opportunities to make a positive impact” –Les Brown
WANT TO HELP US FURTHER OUR EMPOWERMENT EFFORTS?
Feedback About Empowered Gifts
Our Partners
Get In Touch with Us
As your heart desires we appreciate your donated Handbags
ADDRESS
3950 Laurel Canyon Blvd., PO Box 50051, Studio City, CA. 91604
Phone
844-GIFTS-41
Fax
747-998-5164
info@empoweredgifts.org