Dr. Richard Mouw, President of Fuller Theological Seminary, to speak at Elizabeth House benefit

PASADENA, Calif. Whether it´s snow or the sunshine you´re seeking, a trip to the University Club in Pasadena on Saturday, March 21 just may help you find it. A week at a condo in Mammoth or Lake Tahoe or a weekend at Newport Beach are but a few of the items those attending Elizabeth House´s gala annual benefit – "Where Love Embraces Life" – will have a chance to win during the event´s reception and silent auction at 6 p.m.

"We like to say we´re offering our supporters a chance to travel and help others while doing it," says Debbie Unruh, Executive Director of Elizabeth House, the only shelter for homeless pregnant women and their children in the San Gabriel Valley.

Those with a bit less wanderlust in their heart but a deep desire to support Elizabeth House´s mission to provide a safe home, guidance, encouragement and hope for women who find themselves pregnant and in a time of crisis will have no trouble discovering plenty of auction items to tempt them as well. These range from tickets to sporting events and amusement parks to gift certificates for area restaurants to a private airplane ride.

But the highlight of the evening for many supporters will take place at 7 p.m., when guest speaker, Dr. Richard Mouw, steps up to the podium. Mouw, who has served as President of Fuller Theological Seminary since 1993, is a regular columnist on beliefnet.com. His recent book, Praying at Burger King, offers a collection of conversational reflections on faith and everyday life.

"Dr. Mouw is a recognized authority on putting your faith into action, which is a message that guides us everyday here at Elizabeth House," says Terry Bright, Director of Programs. "Elizabeth House is a place where hurting and broken women can find hope in tangible ways. Time and time again, we´ve reached out to those who are hurting but who may not necessarily feel comfortable stepping through the doors of a church. We are all called to make a difference in this world. That´s what our programs are all about, sharing the extraordinary message of faith and hope in practical and life-changing ways."

"Where Love Embraces Life" is also a celebration, adds Unruh. "We´ve reached a milestone, our 15th anniversary of offering hope and restoration to women and children in need," Unruh explains.

In fact, it was Unruh who played a key role in the establishment of Elizabeth House. She was in the hospital for the birth to her second child, when she when she witnessed a woman losing custody of her own newborn child because she did not have safe place to take her baby after being released from the hospital.

"She´ll never know the significant part she played in planting in my heart, that night, the desire to make a difference in the lives of women like her. Women who have no one, who lack support, who need help in getting on the right track," says Unruh, who went on to serve as Founding Director of Elizabeth House for five years, then remained involved as a Board member and volunteer before returning as Executive Director in 2008.

Elizabeth House offers far more than shelter and food. Residents take classes in pre-natal healthcare, parent education, and home and financial management. They also receive job skills training and therapeutic counseling and case management. In addition, Elizabeth House provides a "follow up" program, which includes many of these services, for over 100 alumnae and their families. To date, Elizabeth House has served 209 women and 310 children. The house itself can accommodate six women and their children at any one time.

Individual tickets for "Where Love Embraces Life" are available for $150/person. For more information or to order tickets, call 626.577.4434 or visit www.elizabethhouse.net. The University Club of Pasadena is located at 175 North Oakland Avenue in Pasadena.

Elizabeth House, founded in 1994, was developed to meet an ever-growing need to provide shelter for pregnant women who were homeless and had small children. The Elizabeth House program is designed to address the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of women in a crisis pregnancy practically and holistically, preparing each resident to meet the future challenges of supporting a family. Its program includes career planning, health care and nutrition education, instruction in childbirth and parenting, and weekly sessions with a licensed therapist. To learn more about Elizabeth House, visit www.elizabethhouse.net or call 626.577.4434.