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Together we raised over $466,000!
More than 325 dear friends and supporters joined us to uplift survivors at our 2023 Gala presented by The Standard. Together this amazing community surpassed our goal and raised a record-setting $466,670 (and counting!) to help ensure that our life-saving services are always available to families fleeing domestic violence.

We are deeply grateful to everyone who helped make this possible — including all our survivor speakers, sponsors, donors, and volunteers!
At the Gala, we heard from survivor and mom of three, Elizabeth. She reflected on her family's time in our shelter, and how building a community at Raphael House and becoming a peer leader in our SWAG (Survivors are Worthy Awesome and Gutsy) support group has changed everything.
 
Elizabeth said, “I don't know what our lives would look like, and I don't want to picture that or look back. The only thing I'm doing is looking forward at what's next, what's possible.

Because of Raphael House, it's possible for us to be safe and to not live in fear."
Please share this video with your friends and colleagues, so they can learn about our life-saving work too.

Missed the event? It's not too late to donate and support survivors!
Photos from our special celebration
Special guest Elizabeth shared, "If I didn't have Raphael House and the amazing community I've built there, I don't know where me and my kids would be... Now it’s possible for us to look out at the future!"

Executive Director Emmy Ritter highlighted our impact over the last 46 years, and how we're building a future without domestic violence.

Oregon Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum (right) and Oregon DOJ Deputy Legislative Director Kate Denison (left) showed their love for Raphael House.

Outgoing Board President AJ Ijaz, of Presenting Sponsor The Standard, invited guests to give generously!

Our friend and long-time emcee Brenda Braxton of KGW News Channel 8 hosted the evening's program.

Alliant Systems bid cards were held high throughout the night, as supporters gave generously during the special appeal, bid frenzy, and auction.

Staff members and former Raphael House participants Ashley Ann Crook (left), Shaykeishya Hardin (center), and Rachel Young (right) shared about being living proof of what's possible when survivors have the support they deserve.
Volunteers sold Dream Destination Raffle tickets and our lucky winner took home 2 round-trip tickets anywhere Alaska Airlines flies!

16 bakeries and pastry chefs helped us raise over $13,500 during our Dessert Dash, including a Salted Caramel creation from Dream Cakes and Key Lime Cake from Little Red's Bakeshop.

During Cocktail Hour, donors had the chance to "dig" for special prizes worth up to $1,500. From gift certificates to event passes, everybody was a winner!

Kelly Russell of Artisan Auctions kept bidding lively on fabulous travel packages, courtside Blazers tickets, and more.

Thanks to our Premier Wine sponsor Stoller Family Estate, everyone could toast to success with us throughout the evening!

In our Survivor Perspectives displays, those we serve shared about their personal experiences with domestic violence through items – including this diamond engagement ring given to a survivor by her abuser.

A group of Raphael House Board Members – current and alumni – gathered for a celebratory photo at the end of the evening!
Event photographer: AJ Meeker
Step and Repeat photographer: Mike Hernandez
Heartfelt thanks to our generous sponsors!
Our gratitude to everyone who generously contributed items, services, and their time!

Raphael House Board of Directors: Meghan Wichern (Board President), Jennifer Gardiner (Board Vice President), Leanne Shapro (Board Treasurer), Angel Jones (Board Secretary), Courtney Lee, Cristi Dayton, Cynthia Cook, Debbie Altham, Julia Banks, Kelsey Rozell, Lilith Hayakawa Mist, Very Rev. Matthew Tate, Michelle Poli-Tonkin, Mika Ingram, Paul Balmer, Sasha Petrova, and Theresa Weil.

Table Hosts: Amy Starr Thomas, Angel Jones, Brown & Brown, Christina McGovney, John Holroyd, Megan Wichern & Nicole Frisch, Multnomah County Dept. of Community Justice – Domestic Violence Unit, Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office, Providence, Reliable Credit, Sikich, Sophie Alweis & Lance Grebner, T Weil ART, and Whole Human & Kayla Jury.

Elected Officials: Attorney General Ellen F. Rosenblum, Representative Annessa Hartman, Representative Maxine Dexter, Multnomah County Commissioner Susheela Jayapal, and Constantin Severe, Public Safety Adviser for Governor Tina Kotek.

Auction and Event Donors: Alaska Airlines, Amanda and Matthew Ives, Artisserie Fine Bakery, Artistic Bliss Portraits, Balboa Fun Zone, Barbara Blizzard, Bee's Cakes, Bolt Fabric Boutique, Breakside Brewery, Brenda Braxton, Brian Malarkey, Brooks Wines, BurnCycle, Campana, Carol Ray, Chef Matthew Ives, Chinook Winds Casino Resort, Church Bar, Clinton Street Theater, Close Knit, Collage, Day Wines, Del Rio Vineyards, Dream Cakes, Duchess Clothier, Durant Vineyards, Ecliptic Brewing, Enchanted Forest, Farina Bakery, Fireside, For Bitter For Worse, Freedom for Great Apes, Freeland Spirits, Fried Egg I'm in Love, Garnish Apparel, Gluten Free Gem, Hillsboro Hops, Hillsboro Topgolf, Holler Treats, Hollywood Theatre, Idiot's Grace Winery, Jen's Pastries, Julia and Kyle Banks, Justa Pasta, Knot Springs, Kris Chambers, Laurelhurst Theater, Lesley Day, Leslie Moore, Literary Arts, Little Banana Bakery, Little Conejo, Little Red's Bakeshop, Mariel Martin, Mary Karter, Next Adventure, Northwest Children's Theater, Oaks Park, Oregon Ballet Theatre, Oregon Symphony, Pambiche, Pastini, Pendleton Round-Up Association, Pip's Original Doughnuts, Pittock Mansion, Pizzeria Otto, ¿Por Qué No? Taqueria, Portland Art Museum, Portland Center Stage, Portland ComedySportz, Portland Opera, Portland Trailblazers, Providore Fine Foods, Reclamation Ink, Revel Meat Co., Sebastiano's, She Bop, Skamania Lodge, Small Baking Company, Smith Teamaker, Soos Creek Wine Cellars, Starlight Knitting Society, Steve Doerner and Luke Jefferson Wines, Stoller Family Estate, Sugar Cubed Cakes, Sugar Me Syd, Sunblossom Farm, The Decemberists, The Hungry Hero, The Reser: Patricia Reser Center for the Performing Arts, The Vintages Trailer Resort, The Yoga Space, Theresa and Garry Weil, Tito's Handmade Vodka, Toda Beauty, Urban Realty Group, Wanderlust Tours, Weird Sisters, Westward Whiskey, White Bird, Whole Human and Kayla Jury, Wild Root Spirits, Willamette Valley Vineyards, Winterhawks, Yip Fitness, and You Matter Beauty.

Thanks also to participating survivors, our staff and volunteers, friends of Raphael House, and anyone we may have missed!