Community Partnerships

The Gatsby Showcase Foundation is proud to partner with Community Empowerment of Northern Virginia (CENV) in a collaborative effort to support economic stability, dignity, and well-being for vulnerable girls and families in the DMV region. This partnership reflects our commitment to advancing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through community-based, impact-driven action.

Aligned with SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-Being), SDG 5 (Gender Equality), SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities), this collaboration addresses both immediate needs and long-term pathways to empowerment for historically marginalized communities.

On April 21, 2024, the Gatsby Showcase Foundation provided a targeted donation of essential personal items and necessities to CENV, a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to empowering low-income families, single mothers, and at-risk youth across Northern
Virginia. The donation supported girls residing at the Jackie Pham Home, a safe haven for young individuals who have experienced displacement, abuse, or human trafficking.

The contribution included essential items that promote daily dignity, health, and stability core elements of the Foundation’s Global Hygiene Initiative, which focuses on restoring dignity and well-being through access to basic necessities. By addressing immediate material needs such as food, clothing, hygiene supplies, and transportation support, the Foundation aims to reduce barriers that often prevent vulnerable youth from focusing on education, healing, and personal growth.

Laura Fote, Co-Founder of the Gatsby Showcase Foundation, emphasized the importance of meeting foundational needs as a first step toward empowerment: “When young people feel safe, supported, and cared for, they are better positioned to imagine and pursue brighter futures. Our goal is not only to meet immediate needs, but to help create pathways toward stability, confidence, and opportunity.”
Beyond this initial donation, the partnership between Gatsby Showcase Foundation and CENV reflects a shared commitment to sustainable empowerment. Through continued collaboration, both organizations aim to expand access to educational resources, mentorship opportunities, and skills development programs that support long-term economic mobility and independence.

The Jackie Pham Home exemplifies the values of dignity, compassion, and community. By fostering a supportive and nurturing environment, the home ensures that each girl is valued, heard, and encouraged as she navigates her journey toward healing and self- sufficiency.

Community Empowerment of Northern Virginia plays a vital role in strengthening families and communities throughout the region. Through their work, they not only provide tangible resources, but also cultivate resilience, confidence, and a sense of ownership among those they serve. As the Gatsby Showcase Foundation continues to expand its Economic Empowerment programs and Global Hygiene Initiative, partnerships like this remain central to our mission. Together with organizations such as CENV, we are advancing equity, restoring dignity, and creating opportunities one partnership, one community, and one life at a time.

UN SDG Alignment

•  SDG 3 – Good Health and Well-Being: Improving health and well-being for vulnerable girls by providing access to essential personal and hygiene items that support daily dignity, safety, and stability.
• SDG 5 – Gender Equality: Supporting girls and young women affected by displacement, abuse, and trafficking by addressing their basic needs and creating pathways to empowerment and protection.
• SDG 8 – Decent Work and Economic Growth: Laying the foundation for long- term economic mobility by reducing immediate financial and material barriers that hinder education, skill development, and future workforce participation.
• SDG 10 – Reduced Inequalities: Addressing systemic inequities faced by marginalized youth through targeted community partnerships that expand access to resources and support services.
• SDG 17 – Partnerships for the Goals: Advancing impact through collaboration with Community Empowerment of Northern Virginia and other community-based partners to deliver coordinated, sustainable support.