Gathering for Women

Gathering of Hearts Luncheon
2020-03-02 | CA
The Gathering of Hearts luncheon is one of GFW’s signature events. The luncheon brings together top supporters and community members who are interested in learning more about our work on the Peninsula. Hosted by GFW supporter Donna Ferraro, the meal and view is always stunning and the program, moving.
Please consider supporting Gathering for Women with a donation HERE!

Casa de Noche Buena Groundbreaking
2020-06-01 | CA
In early June 2020, Gathering for Women and Community Human Services announced the virtual groundbreaking of Casa de Noche Buena, the first-ever shelter for homeless women and families with children on the Monterey Peninsula, with the following video. Rehabilitation of the building is expected to take several months, and we hope to welcome our first guests there in November 2020.

Party With a Purpose
2020-06-04 | CA
On June 4, 2020, Gathering for Women convened a virtual event on Zoom featuring Congressman Jimmy Panetta. Click on the image below to view the video recording of the event.

Art Fair 2020
2020-09-01 - 2020-09-30 | CA
Gathering for Women’s first-ever Art Fair was a smashing success, raising more than $3,200 for GFW. The September 2020 event offered friends and supporters the opportunity to purchase art from local artists using an online platform. The Art Fair featured local professional artists who donated their work, as well as artwork created by the homeless women we serve.
More than 100 pieces of art were featured, with 13 pieces of art by local artists sold, and 40 pieces of art made by GFW guests. Proceeds from the sale of art from professional artists will help fund GFW’s day-to-day operations. The proceeds from sales of our guests’ art — which raised more than $1,200 — went directly to each individual artist. “One guest was moved to tears when one of her paintings sold the very first night,” reports Executive Director Staci Alziebler-Perkins. “We can’t wait to have another in Spring 2021!”
The artwork made by our guests showed their versatility, bravery, and amazing talents. All paintings were created on the premises at Gathering for Women during our bi-monthly three-hour painting workshops. The vast majority of our guests had not painted since kindergarten. They remembered the joy of creativity, mixing colors, and the focus and peace it brings to one’s mind. Our guests have been inspired by original photographs, old masters, and local artists.

Music and the Movies - How Does It Really Happen?
2021-02-12 | CA
Celebrating Valentine’s Day with award-winning composer Alan Silvestri!
With a credit list of over 100 films, Alan Silvestri has composed some of the most recognizable and beloved themes in movie history. His efforts have been recognized with two Oscar nominations, two Golden Globe nominations, three Grammy awards, two Emmy awards, and numerous International Film Music Critics Awards.
Silvestri is best known for his collaborations with director Robert Zemeckis, with whom he worked on films including Romancing the Stone, the Back to the Future trilogy, Who Framed Roger Rabbit?, Contact, Cast Away, and Forrest Gump. His music has also accentuated the action in films as diverse as Predator, The Mummy Returns, Father of the Bride, Parent Trap, Lilo and Stitch, Night at the Museum, and Marvel’s Avengers: Endgame.
Silvestri and his wife Sandra are long-time residents of Carmel Valley, and founders of Silvestri Vineyards.
On February 12, Alan Silvestri offered a special presentation exploring how his music has been used to enhance the action, drama, and laughs in numerous major Hollywood productions, sharing clips from some of his most famous films, first without music and then with it. For a sampling of the movies and music he has worked on, view the trailer below. Please join us for this unique and exciting evening, with all event proceeds benefiting Gathering for Women.

Casa de Noche Buena Grand Opening
2021-03-01 | CA
On March 21, 2021 we celebrated the grand opening of Casa de Noche Buena, the area’s first homeless shelter for women and families with children, with an online event featuring performances by jazz artists Tammi Brown and Amina Figarova. Click here to view a recording of the event.

Mother's Day Cooking Demonstration
2021-05-01 | CA
In May of 2021, celebrity chef Tene Shake hosted a virtual cooking class to teach participants how to cook a lovely three course meal for Mother’s Day.

Volunteer Appreciation Picnic
2021-07-01 | CA
We recently celebrated our volunteers – long time and brand new – at an afternoon fiesta. It was so fun to see them talk and laugh together! We are always looking for volunteers to join our ranks.

Art Fair 2021
2021-09-01 - 2021-09-30 | CA
Gathering for Women’s second annual Art Fair again features more than 100 works of art made by both local professional artists and the homeless women we serve. Proceeds from the sale of art from professional artists will help fund GFW’s day-to-day operations, while the proceeds from sales of GFW guests’ art will go directly to each individual artist. Last year’s Art Fair raised more than $3,200 to support GFW operations and $1,200 for our guests.
To view and purchase artwork, CLICK HERE.
The artwork made by our guests shows their versatility, bravery, and amazing talents. All paintings were created on the premises at Gathering for Women during our bi-monthly three-hour painting workshops. The vast majority of our guests had not painted since kindergarten. They remembered the joy of creativity, mixing colors, and the focus and peace it brings to one’s mind. Our guests have been inspired by original photographs, old masters, and local artists.

Community Breakfast 2021
2021-11-05 07:00 - 09:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | CA
Join us for the return of our Community Breakfast, November 5th, 2021, from 7 – 9 am in the Monterey Marriott’s Ferrantes Bay View Room. Register at this link.
The event will feature a conversation on Resilience with Dr. Susan Swick, Executive Director of the Ohana Center for Child and Adolescent Behavioral Health.
Sponsored by Tim Allen Properties, Dole Fresh Foods, Community Hospital of the Monterey Peninsula/Montage Health, Fenton & Keller Attorneys at Law, and Treehouse Mortgage Group.

We Are All in This Together - Film Screening
2022-06-18 19:30 - 21:30 | CA
Due to the success of local filmmaker Daniel Troia’s film, WE ARE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER at the PG Lighthouse Cinema this past April, another free showing is scheduled for Saturday, June 18th at 7:30 p.m., at the Golden State Theatre.
Some people were turned away in April as the two Lighthouse theatres were overflowing. It was a free event; however many attendees donated to Gathering for Women, a local nonprofit serving homeless and housing insecure women on the Monterey Peninsula. GFW Executive Director Staci Alziebler-Perkins said, “We are so grateful to Daniel for sharing this inspirational film and for his support for the most vulnerable in our community.”
This award winning film documents Daniel’s extraordinary bicycle journey from Monterey to New York without any cash or credit cards, relying on the kindness of strangers all along the route. He bought a visor camera and a drone to film his journey. He suffered through cold, rain, hunger and fatigue but never gave up on his quest to find out what people were really like when facing a homeless bedraggled stranger with only a sign saying, “Biking across country. Ran out of food. Anything helps.”
Tickets are free and can be reserved by clicking here: We Are All In This Together

Community Breakfast 2022
2022-10-19 08:00 - 09:00 | CA
Join us for the return of our Community Breakfast, October 19th, from 8 – 9 am in the Seascape Room of the Asilomar Conference Grounds. Register at this link or scan the QR code.
The event will feature a conversation on meeting the housing needs in Monterey County with Kate Daniels-Kurz, District 5 Monterey County Planning Commissioner and Policy Advisor to State Senator John Laird.
Sponsored by Integris Wealth Management

Women for Women
2023-05-13 | CA
The idea of bringing a group of amazing women together to support important local causes was the brainchild of Monterey artist, René Romero Schuler. “With a collaborative spirit, there is nothing we can’t accomplish.” says Schuler.
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Still fairly new to California, Schuler has endeavored to establish her roots in the area she now calls home, and has gathered up some incredible local talent in support of an organization with a cause very dear to Schuler. Having experienced homelessness as a young teen on the streets of Chicago, Schuler has persevered and become a force for advocacy and compassion. The Gathering for Women-Monterey is a local organization that embodies compassion by helping so many women to break out of situations of need and homelessness, by providing an array of services that will empower them to succeed.
Since this day is focused on WOMEN supporting WOMEN, it is very fitting that we’re gathering the day before Mother’s Day! This event will feature woman-owned businesses, artists, artisans, musicians and several sponsors. There will also be three raffle packages valued at over $2000 each, with 100% of raffle ticket sales’ proceeds benefitting The Gathering for Women!
The event is free, please register here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/women-for-women-tickets-579826585927 Sponsors include:

Poptopia Balloons
Benitez Security
Alchemist Hair Studio
Om Oasis-Yoga/Barre/Pilates
Glacier Bar
Casanova Restaurant
Maligne Restaurant
Vin. Bar Carmel
Magdalena Magazine
Il Fornaio Restaurant
Joyce Wine Co
Bonded Monterey
Jennifer Perlmutter
Sama Delights
Staci Alziebler-Perkins
Melanie Scherer-providing wine for the event!

Participating Artists:

René Romero Schuler​
Monica Johnson
Nicole Cromwell
Miranda Register
Jennifer Perlmutter
Marzena Bukowska
Michelle Magdalena – local publisher of Magdalena Magazine, passionate advocate for women’s rights, and photographer capturing the full spectrum of the female experience- with an exhibition featuring some truly remarkable women.
A dedicated exhibition of works from women helped by The Gathering for Women-Monterey
Bonded Monterey – Mindy Augustin will be present to create special “bonding” experiences with permanent jewelry made of sterling silver and 14 karat gold.
Sama Delights – Sura Fadhel’s handcrafted sweet creations with multicultural influences are absolute works of art.
Performance by Julie Capili and her Fabulous Jazz Trio

The Women's Ball 2023
2023-05-19 | CA
Join us for the Women’s Ball! A celebration to benefit the Casa de Noche Buena shelter in Seaside, CA, a joint partnership between Gathering for Women – Monterey and Community Human Services.
The Casa de Noche Buena shelter is the first of it’s kind on the Peninsula. It follows a “housing first” model and focuses on homeless single women and families with children.
The event will feature drinks, hors d’oeuvres, a silent auction, and plenty of dancing! Purchase your tickets now to come celebrate with us!

Gathering for Women's Fourth Annual Art Fair
2023-09-01 - 2023-09-30 | CA
Online all of September!
Gathering for Women’s Fourth Annual Art Fair again features works of art made by both local, professional artists and the homeless women we serve. Proceeds from the sale of art from professional artists will help fund GFW’s day-to-day operations, while the proceeds from sales of GFW guests’ art will go directly to each individual artist. Last year’s Art Fair raised more than $3,200 to support GFW operations and $1,000 for our guests.
To view and purchase artwork, CLICK HERE.
The artwork made by our guests shows their versatility, bravery, and amazing talents. All paintings were created on the premises at Gathering for Women during our bi-monthly three-hour painting workshops and other art therapy classes. The vast majority of our guests had not painted since kindergarten. They remembered the joy of creativity, mixing colors, and the focus and peace it brings to one’s mind. Our guests have been inspired by original photographs, old masters, and local artists.

Community Breakfast 2023
2023-10-13 07:30 - 09:00 | CA
Join us for the return of our Community Breakfast, October 13th, from 7:30 – 9:00 am in the Ferrantes Bay View Ballroom of the Monterey Marriott. Register at this link today!
The event will feature local speakers who are experts in their fields of Wellness and demonstrate how the health and well-being of each individual within a community contributes to the overall health and well-being of the whole community.
Sponsored by:
Community Hospital of the Monterey Peninsula

MC Gives 2023
2023-11-09 - 2023-12-23 | CA
Support GFW’s 2023 MC Gives Campaign to expand our capacity to DO EVEN MORE!
GFW wants to add additional service days and additional housing navigation staff to better serve our guests on their pathway to success. We are expanding our capacity to provide much-needed mental and physical healthcare to promote wellness and wellbeing. We want to prevent homelessness through rental assistance programs and increase emergency assistance to those in need of shelter. We want to DO EVEN MORE for our guests!
Find out more about our campaign and how you can support it at montereycountygives.com/gathering

Santa Cruz Warriors Game
2024-03-12 19:00 - 22:00 | CA
Join us at the Santa Cruz Warriors Women’s Empowerment game on March 12, 2024!
The Santa Cruz Warriors will be taking on the Rio Grande Valley Vipers on Tuesday, March 12, at 7 PM at the Kaiser Permanente Arena at 140 Front Street, Santa Cruz, CA 95060.
Tickets are $40 and a portion of the proceeds will go to Gathering for Women – Monterey!
Email Kelli Catey to get your tickets today!

Alta Bakery's Anniversary for Casa de Noche Buena
2024-04-03 | Alta Bakery, 502 Munras Ave., Monterey, CA, 93940, United States
Alta Bakery is celebrating their 5 year anniversary by donating 10% of their proceeds to Casa de Noche Buena! Enjoy your coffee and pastries a little extra today, knowing you are supporting the homeless women and families in your community.
Gathering for Women – Monterey and Community Human Services partnered to open Casa de Noche Buena in Seaside, the first homeless shelter for women and families with children on the Monterey Peninsula. The shelter is currently able to accommodate 30-36 people, depending on the number and ages of children.
​We welcomed our first guests in January 2021. Since opening, we have served 129 guests, including 63 single women and 20 families with 46 children. Since staying at Casa de Noche Buena, 77 guests have found either permanent or long-term transitional housing.
Click here to read more about Casa de Noche Buena

The Women's Ball
2024-04-13 19:00 - 22:00 | The Carmel Woman’s Club, 9th Ave. & San Carlos, Carmel By The Sea, 93921, United States
Join us for the 2024 Women’s Ball! A celebration to benefit the Casa de Noche Buena shelter in Seaside, CA, a joint partnership between Gathering for Women – Monterey and Community Human Services.
Casa de Noche Buena opened its doors in 2021 in Seaside, providing safe shelter and case management and housing navigation services for unaccompanied women and families with children experiencing homelessness. Guests may stay 90-180 days, and are provided with help with getting back on their feet and finding a permanent home. Casa de Noche Buena also provides three meals a day, internet and computer access, a family room and backyard, plus laundry facilities and mail service. The shelter relies on community generosity to keep its doors open to help those in need.
This year’s Women’s Ball launches the annual Caring Heart award, and the inaugural recipient is Dawn Galante, the founder and CEO of Dawn’s Dream Winery. Dawn’s “dream” has always been to support women and children by donating her product, money and time. Her passion for helping women and children equals her passion for making wine. Each year Dawn’s Dream Winery adopts a local non-profit to support and features them in the tasting room, organizes events for them, and donates wine for their events.
The Women’s Ball was founded in 2007 by Renee Clemons and Deborah Smith, who wanted to create a fun women’s night out that also gave back by raising funds for women and families. The co-founders will also be honored at this year’s Women’s Ball.
The Women’s Ball will be held Saturday, April 13th, from 7pm to 10pm at the Carmel Woman’s Club, located at the corner of Eighth and San Carlos in Carmel, across from Sunset Center. Tickets are $50 and include food, wine and other beverages, one raffle ticket, and dancing. All proceeds benefit the Casa de Noche Buena homeless shelter.
Purchase your tickets now to come celebrate with us!
Event Sponsors:
Dawn’s Dream Winery

Lotus Day 2024
2024-04-19 10:00 - 14:00 | Monterey County Fair & Event Center, 2004 Fairground Rd, Monterey, CA, 93940, United States
Join us for our 3rd annual Lotus Day event!
This year marks 3 years of Lotus Day! If you or someone you know is looking for community resources, come out to the Seaside Room at the Monterey County Fair & Event Center from 10 AM to 2 PM on April 19th.
This years organizations include:

Gathering for Women – Monterey
Meals on Wheels of the Monterey Peninsula
Community Human Services
Central Coast Center for Independent Living (CCCIL)
YWCA Salinas
Interim, Inc.
Military & Veteran’s Affair’s Office of Monterey County
Women’s Veteran’s Program
Monterey County Public Defender
H.E.R.S. – Helping Empower Reentry Services

In addition to resources from these organizations, there will be clothing and toiletry items available for attendees on a first-come, first-served basis.
We hope to see you there!

GFW Volunteer Training
2024-04-19 12:30 - 14:30 | GFW Day Center, 147 El Dorado St., Monterey, CA, 93940, United States
New year – new handbook! Please join us for a volunteer training session. All volunteers must attend one training session and re-sign the volunteer handbook agreement.
Volunteer training will be held once a month on a Friday at 12:30-2:30pm. Upcoming training dates will be announced in the newsletter each month.

Spring Fling One Act Series, Friday
2024-05-03 19:00 - 21:00 | Lighthouse Cinema & Event Center, 525 Lighthouse Blvd., Pacific Grove, CA, 93950, United States
Enjoy a night at the theatre with Soapbox Stageworks and support GFW!
Where: Lighthouse Cinema, Pacific Grove
When: Friday, May 3, 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Tickets: $35
Best of all, 10% of all proceeds will go to Gathering for Women – Monterey!
Soapbox Stageworks presents a unique theatre experience, where the audience will see a total of five One Act Plays from playwrights around the world as well as one local. This will be held at the newly created Enea Sisters’ Stage at the Lighthouse Cinema and Event Center in Pacific Grove, California. The superb cast includes actors both local and nonlocal actors who are dazzling in their delivery and won’t disappoint.
Here is the tantalizing line up.
Divided Requiem a drama by Paul Donnely – An exploration of loss and suicide, and the devastating impact on a gay couple’s marriage.
A Declaration of Independence A comedy by Dan Maurer – As a middle-age wife decides she wants to become an influencer, her husband is left flaberghasted.
The Unknowns a dramedy by Kacie Michelle- A New York couple in their late thirties finds themselves in a precarious situation after opening the door to strangers.
Intermission
Leo & Rosa a dramedy by Adam Szudrich- Can two lovers who met in Auschwitz reconnect and rekindle their love?
The Mavisville March a dramedy by Karen Devaney – A hilarious and poignant look into the the Women’s Lib movement in small town America.
Click here to purchase tickets for Friday, May 3rd!

Spring Fling One Act Series, Saturday
2024-05-04 19:00 - 21:00 | Lighthouse Cinema & Event Center, 525 Lighthouse Blvd., Pacific Grove, CA, 93950, United States
Enjoy a night at the theatre with Soapbox Stageworks and support GFW!
Where: Lighthouse Cinema, Pacific Grove
When: Saturday, May 4, 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Tickets: $35
Best of all, 10% of all proceeds will go to Gathering for Women – Monterey!
Soapbox Stageworks presents a unique theatre experience, where the audience will see a total of five One Act Plays from playwrights around the world as well as one local. This will be held at the newly created Enea Sisters’ Stage at the Lighthouse Cinema and Event Center in Pacific Grove, California. The superb cast includes actors both local and nonlocal actors who are dazzling in their delivery and won’t disappoint.
Here is the tantalizing line up.
Divided Requiem a drama by Paul Donnely – An exploration of loss and suicide, and the devastating impact on a gay couple’s marriage.
A Declaration of Independence A comedy by Dan Maurer – As a middle-age wife decides she wants to become an influencer, her husband is left flaberghasted.
The Unknowns a dramedy by Kacie Michelle- A New York couple in their late thirties finds themselves in a precarious situation after opening the door to strangers.
Intermission
Leo & Rosa a dramedy by Adam Szudrich- Can two lovers who met in Auschwitz reconnect and rekindle their love?
The Mavisville March a dramedy by Karen Devaney – A hilarious and poignant look into the the Women’s Lib movement in small town America.
Click here to purchase tickets for Saturday, May 4th!

Artichoke Festival June 8 - June 9
2024-06-08 11:00 - 2024-06-09 17:00 | Monterey County Fair & Event Center, 2004 Fairground Rd, Monterey, CA, 93940, United States
Come stop by Gathering for Women’s table at the Annual Artichoke Festival! Our staff and volunteers would love to tell you all about the activities and opportunities at GFW. We hope to see you there!
The annual Artichoke Festival began in 1959 as a harvest festival to celebrate the iconic artichoke and the region known as the “Artichoke Center of the World.” As a result, the festival became a primary source of funding for local non-profit groups that depend upon a successful event for their viability throughout the years.
General Admission: $20. Additional tickets may need to be purchased for some events.

75th Annual Obon Festival, July 14
2024-07-14 12:00 - 17:00 | Monterey Peninsula Buddhist Temple, 1155 Noche Buena St., Seaside, CA, 93955, United States
The Buddhist Temple of the Monterey Peninsula hosts the annual Obon Festival Event. Featured at the Festival are Japanese foods, entertainment, ikebana and bonsai exhibits, games for children, and Japanese goods and crafts for sale. Food choices include tempura, sushi, beef teriyaki, udon, and gyoza. Day-long entertainment features martial arts demonstrations, tea ceremony, and Taiko drumming.
Later in the afternoon, the colorful Obon Odori, or community Japanese folk dancing, takes place.
The Obon Festival is a free event, donations accepted.
Parking is available across the street from the Temple.

Obon Festival Event Date
July 14, 2024, Sunday Only
Obon Festival Event Time
12:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Scheduled
3:00 pm: Shinsho Mugen Daiko (Taiko)
4:00 pm: Bon Odori Dance

Event Parking
Across the street from the Temple
Background of Obon Festival Event
The Obon festival is a Buddhist tradition to celebrate, remember and express gratitude to all family members who have died. The Obon festival has been celebrated in Japan since 657 AD. The first Obon in the United States was held in Hawaii in 1910; festivals on the mainland began about 20 years later.
The first Monterey Obon Festival was held on August 25, 1947 at the Japanese American Citizens League (JACL) Hall in Monterey, home to the Temple then. In 1963, the event was moved to the Monterey County Fairgrounds where it was held for 30 years. The Obon Festival returned to the Temple, now in Seaside, in 1993. 3,000 to 5,000 people from across the Monterey Peninsula and beyond attend each year.

Monterey Motor Sports Festival
2024-08-17 08:00 - 17:00 | CA
Get your entry ticket to the Monterey Motor Sports Festival and donate to GFW at the same time! We are offering 3 different levels of entry packages.
Tickets:
1 for $125
2 for $225
4 for $450
Please email Kelli Catey at kelli@gatheringforwomen.org to purchase your tickets today!

Nice! Women's Consignment End of Summer Sale!
2024-08-24 10:00 - 15:00 | Nice! Women’s Consignment, 850 Munras Ave., Monterey, CA, 93940, United States
Nice! Women’s Consignment is hosting it’s 2nd Annual end of Summer Sale to benefit GFW! Come shop on Saturday, August 24th 10 AM – 3 PM and 25% of the proceeds from the outdoor sale will benefit Gathering for Women – Monterey!

Annual Craft Fair!
2024-09-01 08:00 - 2024-09-30 17:00 | GFW Day Center, 147 El Dorado St., Monterey, CA, 93940, United States
Join us in celebrating the joy and creativity of our lovely guests!
Each year for the month of September, GFW hosts our Annual Craft Fair. All pieces are created by our guests, and the guests get to keep 100% of the proceeds from all items sold. Last year, guests used the money earned from their crafts and art pieces to make car repairs, medical expenses, and other essential needs.
Find your new favorite piece in GFW’s Etsy Shop!

Local Artist Showcase
2024-09-20 17:00 - 19:00 | Venture Gallery, 260 Alvarado St., Monterey, CA, 93940, United States
A group of dedicated local artists are supporting GFW’s mission in an Artist Showcase to be held on September 20th from 5 PM to 7 PM at Venture Gallery in Monterey.
Enjoy wine and appetizers as you browse the art. Proceeds from the sale of these artworks will help fund GFW;s day-to-day operations.
Visit GFW’s Etsy Shop to see items created by our guests as well! All proceeds from Etsy sales go directly to the guests and artists that created them.
