Attendees of The Ladder Alliance's 2024 Elevate Gala not only got a steak dinner and rockin' dance floor, but got to be the first to hear exciting news about the Fort Worth nonprofit's future: Beginning January 1, 2025, The Ladder Alliance will merge with crime prevention agency One Safe Place.

The Ladder Alliance, which helps women re-enter the workforce, will become a program within One Safe Place.

"This partnership will enhance our efforts to support survivors of domestic violence and women in low-income situations, creating a stronger community together," Ladder Alliance leaders said in their official announcement about the merger.

When the announcement was made at the September 27 fundraising gala, cheers went up among the 200 patrons assembled inside the 4 Eleven venue on South Main Street.

The gala took place at the 4 Eleven venue on South Main Street.Photo by Scott Cornelius

The chic evening, chaired Logan Speights, started with a cocktail hour and chance to browse silent auction items. Prize packages including Kendra Scott jewelry, a Texas Rangers autographed baseball, Old Gringo boots, and more were arranged upstairs. (Thankfully, bidding could be done downstairs on smartphones throughout the night.)

At the appointed time, guests sat down to tables pre-set with seasonal salads and mini fruit and chocolate tarts for dessert. Entrees - a choice of skirt steak, roasted salmon, or gnocchi - were presented by attentive servers as announcements were made and awards were handed out.

Guests were welcomed by the organizations' leaders, including Danyelle Williams Ackall (Ladder Alliance board chair), Ken Shetter (One Safe Place president), Michelle Morgan (One Safe Place executive vice president), Sharon Cox (Ladder Alliance founder), and Whitney Sanchez (Ladder Alliance director of marketing and development).

Ladder Alliance instructor Ruben Herrera presented the prestigious Sharon Cox Award to Lilia Soto, and Keith Bowden was recognized for 10 years of volunteer service to the organization.

Leaders of The Ladder Alliance and One Safe Place talk about the organizations' merger.Photo by Scott Cornelius

The crowd got on their feet for a rousing game of "Heads or Tails," in which the lucky winner went home with a fully stocked bar cart. Bidding was fast and furious in a live auction for fabulous trips and experiences, conducted by auctioneer Charles Darling.

At the end of the celebratory evening, guests posed for photos in the Photo Bus and hit the dance floor to move and groove to the sounds of DJ Ronnie Nichols. Some languished outside on the patio, where they roasted marshmallows at a s'mores bar.

Spotted in the crowd, enjoying the night, were Taylor and Sarah White, Elizabeth and Logan Speights, Darcy and Stewart Brown, Michelle and JT Morgan, Ashley and Ken Shetter, Heather Garcia, Manny Saldivar, Erin Hill, Jesse and Melissa Zenteno, Anahi Alamillo, Leslie Shields Botvidson, Kat Fahrenthold, Patrick Brazier, Hannah Smiley, Tim Brestowski, and hundreds more supporters of the organization.

Hannah Smiley, Tim Brestowski, Ashley and Ken Shetter, and Taylor and Sarah White cut a rug on the dance floor.Photo by Scott Cornelius

In all, the 2024 Elevate Gala raised $64,000 toward Ladder Alliance’s mission of providing survivors of domestic violence and low-income women tools to gain employment and independence. These include the cost of curriculum, instructors, exam/certification fees, and student tuition.

The longtime Fort Worth nonprofit is perhaps best known for operating the Success Store, offering business-appropriate clothing for job interviews and work. After a months-long closure for renovations last year, the newly redesigned Success Store reopened February 1, 2024, in the One Safe Place building, at 1100 Hemphill St.

The store accepts women's professional business attire, shoes, handbags, and accessories to give to their students and clients of local partner organizations. For more information, visit their website.

  

Photo by Scott Cornelius

Dr. Elizabeth Speights and Sarah White