Gathering for Good 2025: Like a prism refracting light into brilliance, Women United takes on challenges and turns them into action.

Empowering. Energizing. Uplifting.

A sold-out crowd of more than 300 people came to Gathering for Good on May 1, 2025, to support United Way’s mission to break economic barriers and build opportunity for all. Thanks to the generous gifts of so many, we raised over $140,000!

Like a prism refracting light into brilliance, Women United takes on challenges and turns them into action. At Gathering for Good, we celebrated the many roles we play — parent, mentor, advocate, entrepreneur, friend — and the strength we carry collectively. When we bring our full spectrum of talents, perspectives, and lived experiences into focus, the possibilities are truly endless. Together, we are Empowering a Spectrum of Change.

Our deepest gratitude to our amazing keynote speaker, Daniela, for sharing her inspiring story of perseverance. Her experience with United Way is an example of how access to resources and support from community members can lead to real and lasting change.

“With the guidance of United Way, I’ve learned to advocate for myself, and I have found ways to be successful despite the adversity I have faced. Struggle is universal for everyone. Just because someone carries their pain or struggle well doesn’t mean it’s not heavy. We all face different adversities. We come from different backgrounds. We are different colors, shapes, and sizes, and we carry different burdens. But together we can create change. We can empower one another. We can continue to be the change in our community by helping others shine through adversity.”

Daniela shared how United Way for Greater Austin’s Parenting Students Project has supported her in her goal to become a nurse.

Thanks to our 2-Gen Coalition and programs like the Parents Students Project, we were able to support 3,577 families with multi-generational care for children, allowing parents to also advance their own education.

Understanding the impact financial stability has for both parents and children, our initiatives create an ecosystem in which we care for parents and their children at the same time. We focus on parent health, building capacity to secure and maintain jobs, access to affordable child care so parents can work, and access to childhood education resources – factors that must be considered together so both generations can thrive.

At United Way, we’re investing in healthy, thriving families by providing timely, intentional services and information so they can go beyond making ends meet and reach their full potential.

Help us reach our goal of raising $200,000 by joining Women United or donating to ensure we can make everlasting change for families in Central Texas.

Special thanks to our amazing event co-chairs, Van Vo & Andrew Fear and Jeanmarie & Scott Rust.

We also want to recognize and thank our incredible Women United Executive Committee,

Empower Sponsors Jeanmarie & Scott Rust, Kirkland and Ellis, St. David’s Foundation, St. David’s Healthcare, and Texas Mutual, our Partner Sponsor, H-E-B, and all of our generous sponsors.

Thank you to the women-owned business who supported this event: Ancira Salsas, Be Unica, Black Swan Yoga, Brazilicious, Britt Design Group, Coffee Milk Media, Consuela, Eclipse Event Co. Face to Face, Financial Integrated Solutions, Flow Yoga, Gingerly Touch, Habita, HiveHouse Co., Hot Dog Marketing, Imani Collective, Joy Gift Shoppe, Just Jill Cosmetics, Kale me Crazy, Kendra Scott, Lyssie Lou’s Cookie Co. My Vinyasa Practice, O’Connell Robertson, Praline Catering, Purple Lu Travel, Rowing Rock ATX, Small World Goods, Susto, Texas Tipsy Tours, The Ring, Tiny Grocer, Toybrary Austin, Viva Day Spa, Wild and Beautiful Natural Aesthetics, and Yoga Pod.