Fundraiser to benefit Give Me A Chance programs

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OGDEN — The annual charity event for the Give Me A Chance Foundation this year will take place on Aug. 26.

The philosophy of GMAC is to “empower women and children through education leading to self-sufficiency.” Through the years the program has trained hundreds of low-income unemployed women in sewing and alterations. The organization also offers a sacred art and music program as well as after-school programs for children.

The charity event will raise funds for all the programs at the center, said Sister Lucia Nguyen, one of the Daughters of Charity who is involved with the GMAC ministry.

“At the moment we focus on women and children, but we welcome everyone that comes. We accept them. … They confront many challenges and we want to give them at least some skills in life; we want to help them all,” she said.

The event will include dinner, an art exhibition, a fashion show, music and entertainment, and “an opportunity to help us with our mission,” said Sr. Lucia highlighting that part of that mission involves helping all the immigrant families that are located in Ogden area.

“We help them to be self-sufficient, training them with the skills and, for the children, with education and overall life skills,” Sr. Lucia said.

Give Me A Chance was started in 2010 by Daughter of Charity Sister Maria Nguyen as a project to teach low-income women sewing skills. Shortly thereafter classes in basic business practices were added so the women could establish micro-businesses to help them become self-sufficient.

Now Give Me A Chance has two locations. The original location on Washington Avenue has become the GMAC Bridal & Formal Center, which is a retail shop. The location on Grant Avenue is the Learning Center, which offers adult sewing skills, nutrition classes, parenting classes, counseling and a computer center, as well as a day care and after-school tutoring for children.

The sacred art and music program was born as a way to nourish spirituality, Sr. Lucia said.

In 2016 Sr. Maria left Utah to work with homeless in Santa Barbara, Calif. Daughter of Charity Sister Arthur Gordon became GMAC’s new director.

Three Daughters of Charity, including Sister Arthur, are in charge of the foundation, which also offers family support programs and emotional support. Sister Milagros Federico is in charge of the whole tailoring and sewing program, and Sister Lucia Nguyen is responsible for the sacred art and music program.

WHAT: Charity Benefit for ive Me A Chance

WHEN: Saturday, Aug. 26, 5 p.m.

WHERE: Guadalupe Garden in the Give Me a Chance Learning Center, 2913 Grant Ave., Ogden

COST: $50 per person

To RSVP or for information, call 801-627-2235.