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This is the13th in a series about the Davie Community Foundation and
its work in the county.

Pearls of Empowerment is a group of women with a big vision for Davie County.
Pearls of Empowerment is a giving circle that seeks to improve the lives of women and children in Davie. These women, of all ages and backgrounds, have been pooling contributions since 2009 to make grants annually to programs that benefit women and children. After 12 years of giving, Pearls has made grants totaling $384,012 to Davie organizations.
Pearls of Empowerment seeks to:
P – Provide women with the skills and resources to be independent.
E – Empower and equip leaders in the community.
A – Award effective grants.
R – Retain and attract an active giving circle.
L – Lead women to live healthy lives along with their children.
S – Support women in their family role without regard to family structure and/or economic status.
It’s easy to become a member of Pearls of Empowerment. Each member contributes $1 per day; $365 annually. The $365 gets divided into three parts: $300 goes toward grant making; $35 is contributed to the endowment; and $30 is added to the program and operating expense fund. Membership can be paid in one lump sum or spread out over the course of the year.
Be a member on your own or as part of a group. Each member gets one vote for grant selection; groups are counted as individual members and each group gets one vote. Joining as part of a group is a way to be involved if you feel you cannot make the financial commitment alone.
Once a member, you can be as involved as you would like. Some wish to simply give the yearly donation and vote on grants, while others want to be involved in the inner workings of the group and serve on a committee.
“Whatever the involvement, you can be assured that your participation will make a positive impact in the lives of women and children in Davie County,” said Jane Simpson, president and CEO of the Davie Community Foundation.
This year after research and consideration, Pearls narrowed their grants focus. Organizations applying for grants in 2021, 2022, and 2023 must propose programs/projects focused on Abuse of Women and Children, Housing for Women and Children, or Childcare and Transportation for Women and Children.
The Annual Pearls Luncheon and Grants Presentation at Triple J Manor House on Nov. 9 provided an opportunity to celebrate the purpose of Pearls, while also honoring those who have served the country through a patriotic theme. The flags in greenery and baby’s breath added to the excitement of being together in person.
Upon arriving, each attendee was given a name tag decorated with a poppy. Known as a symbol of the sacrifices made by veterans while protecting our freedoms, the poppies were donated by the Advance VFW. After a welcome and prayer from Linda Dorsett, guests were treated to a picnic-style boxed lunch from Ketchie Creek and Maddie Cakes’ banana pudding.
Pearls awarded four grants totaling $30,000. Each agency had the opportunity to share personal stories about the women and children the grants will assist.
• Davidson-Davie Community College: $1,000 grant to provide 50 $20 gas cards as an incentive/reward to women who work hard to be successful in the College and Career Readiness program.
• Dragonfly House: $6,000 grant to ensure they can offer therapy to every child affected by trauma regardless of ability to pay.
• Family Promise: $10,000 to help fund the Transitional Housing program allowing families facing homelessness to remain together, save money, and receive support from a Family Promise case manager to help create a sustainable future.
• Smith Grove UMC/The Bridge @ 197 Main: $13,000 for “Last Mile” Transportation and Wholeness for Families, connecting Cooleemee with Mocksville Circulator Route (YVEDDI) and to provide personal transportation to human service programs outside of town improving the overall health and wholeness of those assisted.
“As we move into this season of giving, consider giving yourself or someone else on your list the gift of a Pearls of Empowerment membership,” Simpson said. “It truly is the gift that keeps on giving.”
To learn more about the foundation, contact Simpson at (336) 753-6903 or jsimpson@daviefoundation.org or visit www.daviefoundation.org.