Who Are We
Mission
We are a nonprofit organization dedicated to connecting individuals who experienced trauma related to physical violence with advocacy support, trauma informed sessions and connect families to resources.
Vision
Our vision is to ensure every person in economically challenged communities can be free from violence, reach their full potential and discover their purpose.
Founder
Gustavia Pearls Women’s Outreach was established April 21, 2013, by the Founder Dwantrina Russell, she was inspired to name the organization in honor of her mother Pastor Margie Russell who had a unique ministry that served beyond the pulpit. Pastor Russell provided a safe space for abused women with children and was seen as a beacon of hope, guiding light and safe haven to many until her earthly transition in 2012. Dwantrina was lead by God to continue her mother’s Legacy through this organization to be a beacon of hope to battered women, children, and families in the community.
Russell's passion is to help others see that there is hope beyond their current situation, she believes while providing resources to the underserved is a huge help, becoming familiar with who they are and what barriers they face will give a better idea on how to bring long-term results.
Russell is honored to be awarded The President's Lifetime Achievement Award signed by President Joseph R. Biden, Jr., for her lifelong commitment to building a stronger nation through volunteer service, she was featured on the 2021 Points of Light Inspiration Honor Roll, presented with a Certificate of Recognition for Community STEM Day and Recognition for Domestic Violence Awareness Event 'Light the Night Purple', a City of Houston Proclamation, State of Texas Resolution, recipient of d-mars Top 50 Professionals Entrepreneurs of Texas Award and Kairos iChange Nations Urban Strategies & Solutions Award.
Russell is a mother of 4 and grandmother of 2, she actively serves on the Texas Girls Collaborative Project Champions Board and UT Physician - Jensen Clinic Community Advisory Board.
Outreach & Programs
Training and Awareness Sessions
Training and Awareness Sessions
Training and Awareness Sessions
This self-help training will provide participants with strategies and resources to preventing the cycle of Domestic violence and to develop an overall healthy approach to mental, physical, spiritual and financial wellness.
Emergency and Disaster Aid
Training and Awareness Sessions
Training and Awareness Sessions
Our focus covers different aspects that are aimed at resolving social strife, which includes food insecurity, clothing assistance and provide basic hygiene products. We are confident that our efforts can transform lives in the community we serve.
Pop Up Youth Activities
Empowering Girls for Life
Empowering Girls for Life
Exciting and fun hands on STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) activities for all kids to learn important skills like critical thinking, problem solving, team building and creativity.
Empowering Girls for Life
Empowering Girls for Life
Empowering Girls for Life
A program aim to educate, inform and inspire girls to fearlessly dream big and become leaders across the world!
Gustavia Pearls Women's Outreach is a Certifying Organization to recognize their most exceptional volunteers with The President's Service Award.
Dwantrina Russell was presented with the President's Lifetime Achievement Award signed by
President Joseph R. Biden, Jr for her lifelong commitment to building a stronger nation through volunteer service.
Junior Volunteers ages 7-17 was presented with The President's Service Award signed by President Joseph R. Biden, Jr for their hours of service to the elderly, veterans, disadvantage families and disaster victims.
Volunteers ages 18 and up was presented with The President's Service Award and Pin of recognition signed by President Joseph R. Biden, Jr
for their hours of service to the elderly, veterans, disadvantage families and disaster victims.
SPONSORS
Walmart is a proud sponsor of our women's outreach efforts to bring awareness to Domestic Violence and speak out and tell someone about ways of preventing abuse. We say THANK YOU for your generous donation!
HEB is a proud sponsor of our outreach efforts to bring awareness to our Youth STEM education programs.
THANK YOU for your generous donation!
Kroger is a proud sponsor of Young Ladies of Pearls STEAM program and
we would like to say THANK YOU for their generous donation to help support our initiatives to become leaders in Technology and Coding.
American Girl is a proud sponsor of Young Ladies of Pearls STEAM program. We would like to say THANK YOU for their generous donation to make a difference in a young girls life.
ROSS & DD's Discount's is a proud sponsor of our Christmas at the Bridge Event. THANK YOU for your kind donations to help youth purchase clothes and needed items for daily living.
PARTNERS
We are proud to celebrate our Young Ladies of Pearls for receiving the Girls STEAM Ahead with NASA Mini-Grant through NASA's Universe of Learning. We are excited about the funding which will help implement girls learning Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Math. #futureleaders #OURGURLZSTEAM
Gustavia Pearls has partnered with Apple where Kids will explore coding with Sphero robots by programming simple movements, loops, and more. Then they’ll design a maze and navigate their robot through the obstacles.
Young Ladies of Pearls is proud to partner with Microsoft who will introduce Robotics. Hacking STEM: Building Machines that Emulate Humans. This session will give YLOP hands on experience in Robotics. #futureleaders #girlsandSTEM
Build A Bear is a proud sponsor of Young Ladies of Pearls. THANK YOU for your generous donation a child will get a BEARY big HUG!
COMMUNITY SPONSORS
EVENT SPONSORS
Help Our Cause
Your support and contributions will enable us to meet our goals and improve conditions. Your generous donation will fund our mission.
BECOME A SPONSOR
WHY SHOULD I BECOME A SPONSOR
At Gustavia Pearls Women’s Outreach, we develop partnerships with community centers, schools, faith-based groups and non-profit organizations that understand the importance of supporting underserved communities through high-quality Awareness, Education and STEM programs.
Most of the women, girls and youth we serve do not have financial resources to participate in community outreach and out of school activities in the areas of Mental Health Awareness, Sexual/Domestic Violence Prevention, Financial Literacy, Social Skills Workshops, Food and Resource Programs, Lifeline Support Sessions and STEM Camps.
Gustavia Pearls Women’s Outreach subsidizes the startup of our programs funding from Sponsorships. Your investment will enable us to provide services without charge to women, girls and youth.
Our goal is to support the community to become self-sufficient and grow stronger mentally, emotionally, spiritually and financially.