Fundraising Events:
The Women's Initiative Network's signature fundraising events are held annually. Every year, each event raises money for a specific program, clinic or research project at Kennedy Krieger institute.
Our Fundraising Events include:
Hats & Horses
This elegant, Derby-themed event is always an evening to remember. The 2021 event is scheduled for Thursday, September 30 at the Winslow in downtown Baltimore. Guests enjoy expertly prepared cuisine and specialty cocktails, dancing and silent and live auctions.
The Fall Fête
During this fashion extravaganza, the Courtyard at Green Spring Station turns into a fabulous runway show featuring Institute patients and staff members in stylish outfits provided by Green Spring Station boutiques. Attendees dine on delectable food and beverages from local restaurants, and enjoy live DJ music.
Virtual Wine Walkabout 2021
The Womens' Initiative Netowrk will be hosting its annual Wine Walkabout on Friday, April 30, 2021, 6:30 p.m. In a typical year, we would enjoy a fabulous evening together at the beautiful Caves Valley Golf Club. However in the same spirit of gathering and raising money for the Institute, we will celebrate virtually with a wine tasting and tutorial hosted by Peter Wood, Managing Partner and wine expert from the French Paradox in Stevenson Village.
Membership Events:
In addition to our Fundraising Events, members of the Women's Initiative Network are invited to attend members-only events.
Our Membership Events include:
Virtual Girls' Night Out
5 to 6 p.m. June 11, 2020
Thank you to those who joined us for our virtual Girls Night Out. While it was lovely to see your faces, we look forward to the time we can be together in person to enjoy another WIN event or Institute gathering.
It was a special treat to have Dr. Brad Schlaggar, president and CEO of Kennedy Krieger Institute, give an update on the Institute and what changes have been made to accommodate our "new normal." While the Institute continues to thrive and is looking for opportunities in the face of adversity, Dr. Schlaggar discussed the immediate and critical needs of the Institute. His recorded remarks can be viewed below:
Over the past few months, many WIN members have inquired about how WIN could best support the Institute at this time. One area of need that resonated with us is Project HEAL (Health, Education, Advocacy, and Law). WIN has supported this amazing program in the past through Wine Walkabout 2017. For those who may not be familiar, Project HEAL is a community-based program at Kennedy Krieger where attorneys provide comprehensive advocacy and legal services for Institute patients with developmental disabilities. Project HEAL attorneys ensure patients receive the medical and legal care they need when there is a civil legal issue requiring an attorney.
In the wake of the pandemic, it is anticipated Project HEAL referrals will soar, and many families will not be in a financial position to cover the modest fees. Without an attorney, a number of families will not obtain the services they need. In addition, some patients will have regressed without the special education and related services that they have not received since the beginning of the pandemic in mid-March. Most families will not be able to navigate this complex process alone. A small donation of funds for families in need of Project HEAL’s advocacy and legal services would be very helpful.
As a WIN supporter, we ask that you join us in making a gift to support Project HEAL at this critical time, should your circumstances allow. Your support would have a significant and immediate impact on patients, students, and their families.
Thank you in advance for your consideration and we appreciate your support of the critical needs of the Institute.
A Virtual Evening With a Kennedy Krieger Institute Expert
This event was held on Monday, April 27, 2020.
We heard from child and adolescent psychologist Dr. Roma Vasa, director of education and training at Kennedy Krieger and assistant professor of psychiatry at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine.
With mental health conditions such as anxiety, depression and obsessive-compulsive disorder being of concern to our community, Dr. Vasa offered some wonderful insight. This event was for WIN members only.
Girls Night Out
More than fifty women came together at the home of Laura Wille, WIN membership chair, to celebrate the holidays and learn more about the Institute and WIN.
The money donated from the WIN Girls' Night will be used to purchase gift cards to gas stations and grocery stores for our inpatient families.
It can be financially difficult for inpatient caregivers to drive back and forth to see their child in the hospital while taking care of siblings at home and maintaining a job. By providing gift cards to gas stations, we can relieve some of the financial stress and added cost that is typically not accounted for during a hospital stay.
A majority of our families are from out of town and, as you can imagine, it can get very expensive purchasing three meals a day. The Social Work team provides grocery store gift cards to help offset the cost of meals. There is a refrigerator/microwave in our Parent Lounge, so parents can purchase groceries and prepare their own meals.
Other Events:
In addition to our fundraising and membership events, WIN hosts a variety of other gatherings throughout the year to support Kennedy Krieger.