Program of Events
6:00 PM
Social Hour and Dinner
- Enjoy appetizers and drinks!
- Grab tickets for the two raffle prizes at the payment table (1 ticket for $100, 5 tickets for $400):
- Private Pizza Dinner for 6 with Celebrity Bridget Everett
- Three-Hour Interior Design Consultation with Amanda Purdom from AsterHouse Design
6:40 PM
Welcome and Introduction
- Last chance for raffle, it closes in 5 minutes.
- Brief introduction to Be Able.
6:55 PM
Live Auction
- There will be 5 bidding opportunities with one winner for the following items (see descriptions below):
- The Gift of Dignity
- Programming for Life Change
- Housing First Opportunities
- Comprehensive Employment Support
- Access to Health and Healing
Raffle Winners Announcement
- Emcee announces the raffle winners for the Bridget Everett Private Pizza Dinner and AsterHouse Design Consultation.
- Thank you to our event sponsors!
Final Auction Item
- Supportive Housing Program (All participate): Everyone in attendance will have an opportunity to bid on this item collectively.
- Bidding facilitated through pledge cards to support the creation and sustainability of Be Able’s new Supportive Housing Program beginning March 2025.
Auction Items
Item 1
The Gift of Dignity
A transformative service made possible by our recently renovated community center, which provides showers, laundry facilities, clothing, and lockers for those we serve. This practical addition has been a game-changer, allowing individuals to maintain cleanliness and tidiness, which fosters self-confidence, self-esteem, and a sense of compliance with their own well-being. These daily-use facilities have significantly boosted confidence for job interviews, court appointments, and everyday interactions, reinforcing the idea that there is no price on dignity. The costs of maintaining these amenities are substantial, but the impact—secure storage, clean clothes for job interviews, and a chance at a fresh start—is priceless. Your bid helps sustain this vital service that empowers individuals to feel motivated, productive, and truly seen.
Item 2
Programming for Life Change
The winner of this item will support a variety of workshops and classes that help individuals build the skills they need to overcome adversity. These aren’t just lessons—they’re life-changing opportunities that instill essential skills, from positive living and financial counseling to interpersonal communication and creative expression. Our workshops, such as ‘Shop Talk’ and ‘Living on the Outside,’ empower participants, including those restarting after setbacks like incarceration. Led by our dedicated Program Director, Marlon Jackson, and supported by an incredible team of volunteers, we see the transformation firsthand as participants take positive steps forward. You’re not just bidding on programming—you’re investing in the future of those ready to change their lives.
Item 3
Housing First Opportunities
A critical initiative that tackles one of the most urgent needs in our community: stable housing. Be Able works tirelessly to connect individuals and families experiencing homelessness with local landlords, senior living facilities, and sober-living homes, because we believe everyone deserves a place to call home. Through our Housing First approach, we streamline the often daunting process of finding and securing housing, offering support with applications, emergency placements, and navigating barriers like criminal history or credit issues. This initiative goes beyond providing shelter—it creates the foundation for a stable, hopeful future. Your bid helps make sure that no one in our city is left without a place to call home.
Item 4
Comprehensive Employment Support
A vital program that helps individuals overcome the many barriers to finding and keeping a job. At Be Able, we guide people through every step of the employment journey, from recovering essential identification documents to navigating the job application, interview, and online onboarding processes. We also offer crucial support like transportation through bicycles, cell phone assistance, and help with automobile repairs to ensure that once a job is secured, it’s sustainable. Employment is more than just a paycheck—it’s about pride, personal growth, and self-esteem. Through partnerships like the one with Kansas State University, where we’ve placed dozens of custodial specialists in full-time positions with benefits, we’re opening doors to life-changing opportunities.
Item 5
Access to Health and Healing
This program ensures access to essential health and wellness resources for those we serve. Be Able goes beyond the basics, connecting individuals to free or affordable healthcare, including dental work through our partner Downtown Dental Group and physical care through the Manhattan Free Clinic, which meets patients right here in our community center. We also prioritize mental health, covering costs for necessary medications and linking people to local providers, while actively intervening in addiction and removing obstacles to treatment. Frequently, we advocate between individuals and healthcare providers, often repairing broken relationships caused by misunderstanding. With partnerships across Kansas and the Midwest, we’ve helped dozens of individuals enter rehab, providing transportation to facilities and health appointments, and ensuring everyone has access to the care they need for a healthier, brighter future.
Item 6
Supportive Housing Program
An ambitious and essential initiative that will provide much-needed transitional housing right here in our community. Less than a year ago, Be Able acquired three properties along Yuma Street, with nine units and 14 bedrooms that will serve as the cornerstone of our new supportive, sober-living housing program set to launch in early 2025. With affordable housing in short supply, Be Able is pioneering solutions to combat homelessness, investing $300,000 in renovations to bring these homes up to code and ready for those in need. Each resident will receive direct support from our future housing director, who will create personalized living agreements to help individuals move from the streets to a traditional lease. Your bid will help cover the significant costs of this endeavor, from utilities and insurance to ongoing renovations, giving individuals a chance at stability, opportunity, and a new life.
Raffle Information
Amanda Purdom from AsterHouse Design says. “In our 3-Hour Interior Design Consultation, I’ll help transfrm a space in your home by understanding your style and goals. Whether it’s a living room, bedroom, or kitchen, I’ll offere expert advice on color schemes, furniture, layout, and decor. By the end, you’ll have a clear vision and actionable plan to enhance your space’s functionality and beauty.”
