Support Sojourner House at a Party inside an Enchanted Forest
This month's fourteenth annual Masquerade Ball will raise critical funds to support the group's victim advocacy and violence prevention work.
Fairy Amy Lovera at the Sojourner House Masquerade Ball. Photo courtesy of Sojourner House.
Halloween may have come and gone way too soon, but that doesn’t mean the party is over. Before the holiday season is upon us, the Sojourner House is hosting its fourteenth annual Masquerade Ball on Fri., November 22 from 7-11 p.m at the Graduate Providence hotel. Grab your ticket now to enter a fairy tale dream as this year’s theme takes us into an “Enchanted Forest” described as, “Amid moss covered tablescapes and twinkling lights, fairies (and their friends) will sip shimmering cocktails, enjoy delectable hors d’oeuvres and find treasures at the silent auction.” If you were hoping to be a fairy this year and had to shelf that idea for next Halloween, pull that attire back out of the closet and get ready for a magical evening.
The night will include treasured performances from Toys 2 Men, DJ Dayglow, Extraordinary Rendition Band (ERB) and more as well as a woodland-themed dessert contest. Celebrity judges include Laura Afonso of Buns and Bites, Elyse Major from Hey Rhody, Katie Corcoran of Rhode Island Native, Jariah Gray from Two Hungry Bitches and Rhode Island Monthly’s own editor-in-chief, Jamie Coelho. These special guests will be tasting a variety of savory sweets to challenge some of the city’s finest bakeries including Sin, Flower Bakery (last year’s winner), Cakes by Eboni, Johnson and Wales Pastry Arts Club, Marti’s Cupcakes & More and La Casa Azul, to be awarded the confectionary masterpiece title. Guests will be welcomed to sample these top-notch treats after the contest. Tickets are $150 per person or $200 for a “VIP ticket” which includes a glass of fine prosecco and access to the VIP lounge.
One of the beautiful cake designs at a past Sojourner House Masquerade Ball. Photo courtesy of Sojourner House.
This highly anticipated Sojourner House event upholds its mission of gathering critical funds to support the group’s victim advocacy and violence prevention work. The organization began in 1976, when a group of Providence residents and Brown University students, staff and faculty members came together to provide guiding resources to help victims and survivors of abuse. Since its formation, Sojourner House has assisted more than 60,000 individuals in rebuilding their lives after abuse. The goal for this year’s annual fundraiser is to raise $200,000 to support victim advocacy work and expand the life-serving services they provide to survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault and human trafficking.
Clients of Sojourner House have access to emergency shelter, transitional and permanent housing, clinical therapy, necessities such as food and hygiene products, intensive case management, immigration advocacy, support groups, sexual health advocacy and other services. The focus is going even further as they are making the organization is making its way to schools and professional settings across Rhode Island to facilitate violence prevention education as well as workshops.
The Masquerade Ball is an uplifting evening to forget about today’s worries, but it’s also an occasion that brings hope to victims feeling stuck, survivors who are starting over after years of trauma, and youth who will benefit from the education of learning the signs of abuse with the hope to prevent more individuals from experiencing domestic violence.
Sojourner House Masquerade Ball. Photo courtesy of Sojourner House.
The idea for the theme “Enchanted Forest” translates to “a place where seeds of hope are planted and beauty blooms out of darkness. For one magical night, this fairy tale realm will open to those who stand against violence and sparkle with music, laughter, and whimsical entertainment.” Guests will not only enter a magical ballroom, but they will also be one of the many seeds that stand strong with survivors and plant hope by raising funds. A safe space creates a new beginning for victims to regain stability to spread their wings. Grab your wand for the evening and sprinkle support for the Sojourner House, while helping to change the lives of those who will benefit from the aid of this fundraiser. Get tickets!
If you are in need of assistance, contact sojournerri.org.
