SEATTLE — Dignity for Divas provides care packages, programming and support services to women experiencing homelessness in Seattle and other cities in Washington.
“It started with my own journey of homelessness,” said Nikki Gane-Butler, founder and executive director of Dignity for Divas. “The word dignity is the number one point of helping people through trauma. You have to have dignity involved. It’s about how you serve.”
The Dignity for Divas Dream Academy hosts yoga, meditation, financial literacy and beauty classes and workshops. The organization weaves the message of self-care into all of its programming, taking a personal and holistic approach to fighting homelessness.
“It’s really a full circle,” Gane-Butler said. “That’s what it takes to really change and shift your mindset so you can start living your life in a different way.”
Gane-Butler started Dignity for Divas based on her own experience with homelessness after fleeing domestic violence. Her goal is to help women navigate out of homelessness and find their purpose and power.
“I’m really strong on how you serve,” Gane-Butler said. “It’s the way you serve somebody. I built everything off of what I didn’t see was available for me.”
The Champions of Change Celebrity Basketball Game held on June 26 raised money for five local charities, including Dignity for Divas. Champions of Change was started by three former Seahawk players, and the game featured many of Seattle’s favorite athletes. The support from the game means a great deal to Gane-Butler.
“For us, it’s a way for us to build our capacity for real. This will allow us to reach even more women and provide even more services to them.”
If you want to help those experiencing homelessness, there are several ways to support them. Monetary gifts are needed, but there are also plenty of volunteer opportunities if you aren’t able to donate. You can help by offering to cook for an organization, lead a class or clean and organize.
“Find things that you already like to do then do that,” Gane-Butler said.
To learn more about how you can help, visit the Dignity for Divas or Champions of Change websites.
Sponsored by Safeway/Albertsons. Segment Producer Suzie Wiley. Watch New Day Northwest 11 AM weekdays on KING 5 and streaming live on KING5.com. Contact New Day.