2025 was a year filled with purpose, connection, and the unshakable spirit of unity. At Women United, our mission to lift families and children continues to be lived out through impactful, joy-filled events that remind us what community truly means. 🚂 Love Train Community Block Party In September, we welcomed hundreds to our vibrant Love Train Back to School Block Party. With families lining the streets, the sound of laughter echoed alongside the rhythm of community drumbeats. Kids danced beside the life-sized cardboard train, while parents browsed Hope’s Community Closet for free clothing, shoes, and school essentials. Local vendors and volunteers brought games, food, and endless joy, making this event not just a celebration—but a declaration that every child matters . 👕 Hope’s Community Closet Hope’s Closet traveled with us throughout the year, meeting families where they were—on porches, parking lots, and church grounds. Volunteers lovingly sorted racks of clothing, coats, shoes, and accessories. Whether it was a teen needing new shoes or a grandmother finding a warm coat for her grandchild, the Closet offered more than material goods—it offered dignity, choice, and hope. 🧡 Kinship Carnival: Every Child Matters Our Kinship Carnival stood as a powerful tribute to families raising relatives and children outside the traditional family structure. Activities, raffles, and resources created a welcoming space where every child and caregiver felt seen, supported, and celebrated. 🎨 Grandma’s Hands Art Therapy We also witnessed healing and storytelling through art with Grandma’s Hands, a therapeutic workshop series inspired by the power of intergenerational wisdom. Participants shared laughs, tears, and strokes of color as they crafted art reflecting their identity and faith—like the woman who proudly displayed her towel reading: “She who kneels before God can stand before anyone.” 🦃 Thanksgiving Turkey Giveaway To end the year with warmth and gratitude, our Turkey Giveaway ensured hundreds of families had the means to enjoy a bountiful Thanksgiving. Volunteers handed out meal boxes with smiles and open hearts, affirming once again— we lift each other up . 💬 Final Thought Each event this year was a movement of love and community. Together, we filled closets, stomachs, and hearts. As we look to the future, let’s continue this work—side by side, hand in hand, lifting one another.