RICHMOND, Va. — United Way will host its annual High Tea fundraiser on June 4 at the Jepson Alumni Center at the University of Richmond, raising money for its Women Rise program, which provides childcare scholarships and financial support to single mothers pursuing higher education in Central Virginia.
CBS 6 anchor GeNienne Samuels will serve as emcee for the event.
Organizers say childcare costs in the region can exceed $1,000 per month, per child — a financial burden that can make it nearly impossible for single parents to pursue higher education or career training while maintaining stability at home.
The Women Rise program provides childcare scholarships, emergency funding, and ongoing support to help single mothers stay in school and complete degree or certification programs, positioning them for long-term economic mobility.
"Our High Tea fundraiser is our premier event for Women Rise," Rosabeth Ward said. "We're able to bring together women all across our region who believe in the power of women and what it means to help them be successful."
Ward is the Chief Advancement Officer for United Way. She says demand for the program has increased significantly in recent years.
Beyond financial assistance, Women Rise also offers support for life's unexpected challenges, helping participants navigate obstacles that might otherwise force them to pause or abandon their education.
Program leaders say participants are not only working toward better opportunities for themselves but also showing their children what's possible through perseverance and support.
Single mothers interested in applying for the Women Rise program can visit yourunitedway.org/program/womenrise. The application deadline is May 31.
For those unable to attend the High Tea event, United Way's online auction is open to the public, and direct donations to the Women Rise program are also encouraged. To donate or participate in the auction, visit yourunitedway.org/program/womenrise.
Depend on CBS 6 News and WTVR.com for more complete coverage of news in your neighborhood and community. Have a story idea, email our team at newstips@wtvr.com. Or click here if you are interested in having a CBS 6 anchor, reporter or meteorologist attend or MC an event.
Find unique, award-winning stories every day on CBS 6 News
📲: CONNECT WITH US
Blue Sky | Facebook | Instagram | X | Threads | TikTok | YouTube
This story was initially reported by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy. To learn more about how we use AI in our newsroom, click here.
