Homes of Hope Gala to feature two powerful stories of transformation

Homes of Hope Gala to Feature Two Powerful Stories of Transformation

Homes of Hope will spotlight two powerful, real-life stories of transformation at its upcoming annual gala, Strong Foundations – Building Futures with Purpose, presented by Lima One Capital. The event will offer a compelling look at how safe, affordable housing and workforce development can change the trajectory of individuals and families for generations.

The evening will feature the debut of two original video stories, each highlighting a different pathway of impact but united by a common outcome: lasting change.

One story follows Emilian Onweazu, whose journey began in crisis. After immigrating to the United States with her two children, she found herself escaping an abusive marriage and facing homelessness. With no support system and nowhere to go, Emilian and her children spent months in a shelter, uncertain of what the future would hold.

That future shifted when she received the key to a Homes of Hope house.

What began as a place of refuge became the foundation for a new life. Over time, Emilian rebuilt, providing stability for her children, returning to school, and ultimately purchasing her home. Today, her daughter is a college graduate, her son is thriving, and Emilian now serves as a board member of Homes of Hope, helping guide the very organization that once served her.

Her story reflects the long-term impact of affordable housing, not just as shelter, but as a catalyst for generational change.

The gala will also feature the story of Robert Graham, a graduate of the Men’s Workforce Development program in fall 2025. His journey highlights another critical piece of Homes of Hope’s mission: supporting men overcoming drug and alcohol addiction as they rebuild their lives through structure, skill-building, and employment.

Today, Robert is employed at Old Timey Electric, working under former program graduate John Norwood, who owns the company. His story represents the power of second chances and the ripple effect of opportunity, where transformation extends beyond one individual to influence workplaces, families, and communities.

“Together, these stories reflect the full scope of our work,” said Don Oglesby, CEO of Homes of Hope. “We are not only providing housing. We are investing in people, restoring stability, and creating pathways for long-term success.”

By pairing these two stories, the gala will showcase Homes of Hope’s dual-impact model, one that addresses both housing stability and workforce development to create sustainable, life-changing outcomes.

Presenting Sponsor, Lima One Capital, and many other sponsors are helping make this evening possible and advancing the mission of creating strong foundations for individuals and families across the community.

Attendees will be among the first to experience these stories in full, offering a firsthand look at what transformation truly looks like.

Event Details:
Strong Foundations – Building Futures with Purpose
May 1, 2026
Furman University’s Younts Conference Center
Social hour starts at 6:15pm
Program begins at 7:00pm

To visit the Gala webpage, visit https://homesofhope.org/gala/
For tickets and sponsorships, visit https://pro.gofundme.com/event/2026-gala/e758385
For more information about Homes of Hope and its mission, visit https://homesofhope.org/

About Homes of Hope:

Homes of Hope is a nonprofit organization based in Greenville, SC, dedicated to providing affordable housing solutions and economic mobility opportunities to individuals and families in need. Since its founding in 1998, Homes of Hope has built 745 homes and graduated 343 men from the Men’s Workforce Development program, offering hope and a brighter future to the Greenville community. To learn more, please visit us at www.homesofhope.org.

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