We’re Not Standing Down – How Her Haven Supports the Community

In today’s current political climate, it’s easy to feel helpless, overwhelmed and unsure of how to approach change. Here at The Curio Cabinet, we are experiencing all of those feelings and feel compelled to support our community in the way we know we can. Her Haven: Beauty Beyond Barriers, is our way of combining efforts with local fashion nonprofit Color of Fashion and Denver’s Museum for Black Girls to support organizations focused on providing resources and supporting women in Denver and beyond.

In Denver, there are nearly 10,000 people experiencing homelessness in the metro area. Up to 100 percent of homeless women have experienced domestic or sexual violence at some point in their lives.

In order to combat this statistic, there are shelter homes that cater to women and children who are looking for refuge and address many needs like escaping abusive households and the impacts of poverty, abuse and homelessness.

Her Haven: Beauty Beyond Barriers, is a community charity event that will provide resources and education on domestic violence prevention while donating beauty and feminine hygiene products to three local non-profits.

Donating unused beauty and feminine hygiene products provides women who are in need of these necessities that we constantly take for granted. Feeling confident, equipped, clean and refreshed can make a powerful difference for women and survivors who are navigating these difficult situations.

Here’s a rundown of what to expect at the event, and how to support the cause and organizations in our community.

The Event

When: Saturday, March 8 from 6:30-8:30 pm. Tickets are $15 and include admission to the Museum for Black Girls.

Where: Museum for Black Girls; 500 16th St. #262, Denver, CO 80202

What: Honor International Women’s Day by joining us to discuss themes surrounding domestic violence prevention and resources. During the event, we invite our community to bring unused beauty and feminine hygiene products and build a beauty bag to donate to local shelter homes and nonprofits like Dress for Success, SafeHouse Denver, and The Gathering Place.

After a live panel discussion from non-profit representatives and industry professionals, attendees can build a beauty bag and write a note to women receiving donations while exploring the museum.

The Donations

Through your donations and participation, this event is projected to produce over 140+ beauty bags that will be going to the following non-profits:

Dress for Success Denver: Local nonprofit that helps unemployed and underemployed women achieve economic independence by providing no-fee programs and encourages them to look and feel their best. 

SafeHouse Denver: Supports survivors of domestic violence and their children with a 24-Hour Crisis & Information Line, an Emergency Shelter, an Extended Stay and necessary resources for survivors to get back on their feet. 

The Gathering Place: The only daytime drop-in center in metropolitan Denver providing low-barrier, trauma-informed care to women, gender-diverse people and children facing homelessness and instability.

The Panelists 

Nayada Moore – Owner of Hashtag Co

Nayada Moore is the founder of Hashtag Co, a thrift shop with a mission to empower women through retail therapy. Inspired by her own journey, Nayada created Hashtag Co to provide a space where fashion meets healing. Through donation-based shopping and counseling, the shop supports women in rebuilding confidence and finding strength.

Beyond Hashtag Co, Nayada organizes community events like the Women’s Empowerment Event and Colorado Springs Fashion Week, using her event planning skills to fundraise and create meaningful experiences. With a background in food justice and a passion for philanthropy, Nayada is dedicated to uplifting women and driving lasting change in their communities.

Stephanie Murray – Author

Stephanie Murray is loved by God, her family and friends. She grew up in Colorado with her parents and four brothers. In life, she experienced adversity through abuse, poverty, lack of self-esteem, fear and shame. These experiences led her to seek healing after she hit rock bottom. Along the way, she became a mother and is now a loving, passionate and empathetic woman who seeks to encourage and support those who are on their own journey of healing. Stephanie does this through her interpersonal relationships, her nonprofit Journey to Your Haven, coaching a Drill team and teaching women and children practical and spiritual truths. Recently, Stephanie became an author, and wrote her memoir, The Coronation of Love. Her life’s mission is to spread the message of how receiving unconditional love transforms lives.

Heather Schreck – SafeHouse Denver

Heather Schreck has worked in the nonprofit sector for the last 15 years in Denver, working in Development at various nonprofits; including the Open Media Foundation, Free Speech TV and Maria Droste Counseling Center. She joined SafeHouse Denver six years ago, first in Development as the Annual Giving and Events Manager. She moved to Community Engagement Manager when the organization wanted to expand education in the community. In her role, Heather supports Community Education presentations, expanding Community Partnerships, and deepening SafeHouse Denver’s presence in the community to share information about domestic violence and our services.

Keisha Sarpong – Rose Adom Center
Keisha Joined the Rose Andom Center in February 2022. She has years of experience in the field of gender-based violence. Keisha served as a community-based victim advocate, before transitioning to a full-time Sexual Assault Kit Initiative Advocate (SAKI), providing notifications to survivors of sexual assault whose forensic kits had previously gone untested. Keisha currently provides leadership to the Denver Metro Domestic Violence Fatality Review Team, working to identify actionable opportunities to enhance prevention and intervention strategies to prevent domestic violence fatalities.

Cassandra Salas – The Gathering Place

Cassandra Salas is a dedicated leader in homeless services at TGP, known for her trauma-informed approach and dedication to equity, diversity, and inclusion. She first served the organization as a shelter associate at TGP’s 24/7 emergency shelter before transitioning to program manager and eventually associate director of the emergency shelter program. Cassandra led the emergency shelter’s transition to a low-barrier model, which included allowing pets and increasing support for people struggling with substance misuse. Cassandra currently leads the Essential Services team at TGP’s day center facility and is deeply committed to dismantling systems of oppression and power by implementing innovative solutions to support people experiencing homelessness and poverty.

Join us this International Women’s Day and beyond to uplift the community and challenge systemic oppression and domestic abuse.

Her Haven: Beauty Beyond Barriers would not be possible without the support of our team, the panelists, volunteers and sponsors.