Based in The Woodlands, Avanti Senior Living, innovative owner, developer and operator of senior living communities, brings female sensibility to its communities, residents and teams. The company creates the ideal environment for women who live in its communities, their adult daughters and the women who work for Avanti Senior Living. As an extension of Avanti’s deep understanding of women, the corporate team is dedicated to supporting organizations that positively impact the lives of women throughout Houston and beyond. Taking the initiative to fulfill its corporate social responsibility, Avanti has most recently partnered with an organization called Shield Bearer, which exists to help women who have experienced trauma. This includes victims of sex trafficking, domestic violence, neglect, trauma or survivors of other horrific crimes.
Shield Bearer is able to help these victims by providing counseling or therapeutic services to those in need regardless of their financial ability. In addition, the organization sends spokespeople out to schools to educate about trauma prevention and let women know how to get help if they are a current or past victim. Just last week on March 25 at 8:00 a.m. at Northside Christian Church, Avanti Senior Living and Shield Bearer collaborated to host “Running for Hearts,” a family friendly 5K and fun run to raised funds that will go toward the continuance of these services.
“When I learned of Shield Bearer and its dedication to healing the hearts of sex trafficked victims, I knew immediately that we wanted to partner with them to make an even greater difference in the lives of women,” said Lori Alford, co-founder and COO of Avanti Senior Living. “Sex trafficking has always been a cause that is close to my heart, and this particular organization’s dedication amazes me. We exist as a company to serve people, whether it is the residents who live in our communities or women who need us in the surrounding area. We are delighted to partner with Shield Bearer to make a difference in the lives of so many women and families who need help. We welcome anyone who is able to join us for this 5K and fun run to be a part of an event that will help change lives.”
“In the last five years, we have helped heal the hearts of over 250 sex trafficked victims, some as young
as twelve years old,” said Ray Wooten, executive director of Shield Bearer. “We are the single largest provider of counseling services to human trafficking victims in the greater Houston area. In addition, Shield Bearer has assisted over 5,000 military personnel, veterans, and their families. We provide support to anyone who has witnessed or experienced unspeakable things, and we have become the key resource in Northwest Houston for victims of horrendous crimes. The government can only give services to so many people, and it relies on nonprofits like us with specialties in trauma recovery and relationships. We depend on partnerships with businesses like Avanti Senior Living to continue to offer these services.”
Shield Bearer not only provides counseling and therapeutic services for trauma victims, it also schedules presentations at schools throughout Houston to educate students on prevention. Shary, a mother who lost her daughter to an intimate partner violence, is a key spokesperson for the organization who shares her daughter’s story in hopes of getting victims or potential victims to seek the help they need. Last year all five of Shield Bearer’s offices helped 6,000 Houstonians with counseling and outreach efforts reached another 9,000 with prevention programs.
“Avanti Senior Living is focused on helping women feel beautiful on the inside and out,” said Alford. “By partnering with organizations such as Shield Bearer, we are helping to instill confidence and strength in women, empowering them with support and showering them with love. Avanti understands that feeling well and looking well are complementary when it comes to a person’s wellbeing. For seniors living in our communities, we have designed the Mind.Body.Spirit. program. The purpose of the Mind. Body. Strength. program is to help residents balance all aspects of wellness that contribute to a healthy life. No matter your gender or age, feeling your best and looking your best are important, and we are passionate about helping our residents and others in the greater community feel this way inside and out. We are excited to announce that we are also partnering with a Dress for Barbara to host a prom dress drive for local high school students who do not have the means to buy a dress for their school proms. We plan to provide refreshments at the event where the girls officially pick out their dresses. All our efforts tie back to our values – empowering women to live the life they deserve, the life they desire, the life they love.”
Avanti Senior Living communities have partnered with other organizations and outreach efforts that directly impact and support women. Previously, they have participated in the Angel Reach Program, Giving Goes Glam, and the Cy-Fair Women’s Expo, just to name a few. Avanti has an ongoing scholarship program for a female recipient as well. The company is excited to partner with other people and organizations for future outreach efforts that will make a difference in the lives of more women – all who have different needs.