With over 550 guests who gathered to raise awareness and more than $400,000 for Mecklenburg County survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault, this year’s Breakfast of Hope was nothing short of extraordinary!
We opened with the short film Transformative, a moving story following a working mom navigating domestic violence, where one courageous choice changed the course of her life forever.
Safe Alliance President & CEO Laura Lawrence shared how our organization is expanding services to meet the growing needs of our community, especially as we prepare to open The Umbrella Center next year. The Umbrella Center will be a single point of access center for survivors in Charlotte-Mecklenburg.
Our featured artist, Meredith Connelly, then introduced her dear friend and our keynote speaker, Tana Greene. With raw honesty and strength, Tana shared her journey from being a 16-year-old mother in an abusive relationship to becoming a business founder, mentor, and recognized advocate. She reminded us, that even after leaving her abuser, the challenges don’t end, as her abuser tried to manipulate her out of receiving child support, but through courage and resilience, she persevered.
Tana shared how speaking her truth publicly for the first time, years later at a high school event, was terrifying, but it became the turning point in her healing journey. By leaning into her story, she found purpose, empowered others, and discovered the strength to help break the stigma surrounding domestic violence. Her story reminded us that even in the darkest moments, hope and transformation are possible, and with support, survivors can spread their wings and create the life they dream of.
This year, we also celebrated our community’s incredible generosity. Thanks to our sponsors, table captains, guests, and supporters, we had our most successful Breakfast of Hope ever, raising record-breaking support to ensure survivors have access to safe housing, counseling, advocacy, and transformational resources.
The community's contributions make real, lasting change possible. Together, we are helping survivors spread their wings, break free from the cycle of abuse, and create lives filled with hope and opportunity.