The Leadership Sacramento Class of 2007 rolled up its sleeves recently to upgrade the facilities of the nonprofit group Womens Empowerment.

While Ranbir Ahdan of Hunter Richey Di Benedetto & Eisenbeis was assembling a new portable kitchen, the Metro Chamber’s Susan Harris-Brown was redesigning closet space. Gil Alvarado of Sierra Health Foundation installed storage racks, and Teichert’s John Lane replaced light fixtures while Contract Manager for the Public Health Institute's Arlene Wilson-Grant scraped windows as the 35-person class worked feverishly to accomplish its ambitious goals.

“It was inspirational to see this group come together with such gale force,” said Amy Lerseth of Buzz Oates Companies.

The workday was part of the class’s multi-pronged strategy to strengthen Womens Empowerment in its work to help homeless women rebuild their lives.

Among the class accomplishments are hosting a breakfast for 30 potential employers, preparing a fundraising plan with new software to support it and implementing a nutrition curriculum.

The class raised more than $20,000 for the project, which is co-chaired by Jackie Dowden of the Sacramento Police Department and Kevin Smith-Fagan of KVIE Public Television.

Allison Cagley of Exporit Science Center summed it up: "The project really exemplifies the mission of Leadership Sacramento, to become involved in the community and make a difference.”