Inspiration

I began 2013 with a spirit of optimism. After devoting a majority of 2012 to designing, building, and finally launching my new website—a feat that, after lots of hard work and dedication, felt unimaginably fulfilling— I am excited to spend this year watching it evolve to its full potential. That not only means offering fabulous new jewels to an ever-expanding network of incredible women, but also turning it into a digital home for inspiration, guidance and giving centered on my deepest belief: that every woman can change the world.

If you have ever read my blog post “The Beauty of Giving Back”, you know that a big part of my work involves charitable giving. In fact, starting today, I am featuring charities on my website that will receive 20% of the proceeds of the sales of selected jewels and treasures on my website. You will be able to select from one charity to support, through a dropdown menu at checkout. 

Right now, I am featuring three charities near and dear to my heart. Each one supports an amazing cause, and I would like to let you know a little bit more about them to help you in making your decision:

Raphael House
Established in San Francisco in 1971 as an emergency shelter for temporarily homeless women and children, the mission of Raphael House is “to help at-risk families achieve stable housing and financial independence while strengthening family bonds and personal dignity.” Through its Residential and AfterCare programs, Raphael House offers support and structure to families and children who have experienced temporary homelessness, as well as continued services to those who have moved into stable homes.

I have been deeply moved by the plight of the homeless and impoverished families assisted by Raphael House. Through the sale of my art, I feel blessed to have been able to support their work financially over many years.

San Francisco Child Abuse Prevention Center
The San Francisco Child Abuse Prevention Center (SFCAPC) offers children and family services and community education in order to support its mission, “the prevention of child abuse and neglect, the promotion of healthy families and the mental health of children.” In addition to its educational programs and services for parents, caregivers and children (including a 24/7 hotline for early interventions, referrals and support), SFCAPC partners with local organizations to further its impact and leads a city-wide effort to establish a Children’s Advocacy Center of San Francisco, which will provide a state-of-the-art facility for response, prevention, training and care.

I have been working with SFCAPC for many years now and have the seen the extraordinary assistance and support given to help children and their families live safer and happier lives.

Miss Representation.org
Stemming from the award-winning documentary Miss Representation, which depicts the mainstream media as a culprit in the continued underrepresentation of women in influential positions in America, Miss Representation.org is a non-profit social action campaign “established to shift people’s consciousness, inspire individual and community action, and ultimately transform culture so that everyone, regardless of gender, age or circumstance can fulfill his or her potential.” Through social media, education curriculum, community screenings of the film and the championing of positive media and advertising while confronting the challenge of negative media and advertising, Miss Representation.org leads the growing movement of women’s empowerment in the 21st century.

I am honored to have been an Associate Producer of Jennifer Siebel Newsom's groundbreaking and deeply thought-provoking film Miss Representation, and I'm very excited to support her vision!

I am excited to implement this program with you. Together, we can make a difference!

With Love and Gratitute,

Alana

Image from left to right: Brooke Sevenau; Alana Leigh; Judy Domenici; Alicia Hvistendahl; Jo Howard; Jennifer Siebel Newsom

Holidays in San Francisco are always festive. Sparkly spiders dangle from cotton cobwebs wrapped in the city’s wrought iron gates at Halloween, only to be replaced by turkeys, pilgrims, and the smell of stuffing and pumpkin pie in November. Soon evergreen wreaths adorn doors, menorahs and multi-colored lights shimmer in the windows of Victorians and urban homes, while fireplaces crackle and smoke fills the chilly December air. But as flushed shoppers window browse in Union Square and seek out thoughtful treasures on Sacramento, Fillmore and Union streets, a memorable  place for me is the San Francisco  Child Abuse Prevention Center on Waller in the Haight.

Here, too, women fill bags with gifts, but the bags are large green Hefty bags, and the gifts don’t come with a price tag. We meet with the families and help them shop—rows and rows of brand new donated toys, books, games and clothes, selected with care to be placed under chimneys and trees and opened by wide-eyed children on Christmas morning. This is a scene that brings joy to my heart, and it is the efforts of charities like SFCAPC that inspire me to pursue my life’s purpose.

I have been blessed to see my business flourish, to have worked hard and watched Alana Leigh grow from a small local atelier to one with clients worldwide. I have always created my jewels with the intention of empowering women and in the past I have sold my art to benefit charities such as San Francisco Child Abuse Prevention Center, Jennifer Siebel Newsom’s film Miss Representation, Susan G. Komen for the Cure, and the Raphael House in San Francisco, just to name a few. In this next phase of my career I want to make charitable giving the sole focus of my work.

Going forward my website will be focused on benefiting non-profit organizations that I believe in. Charities will be featured on my site for a select amount of time or indefinitely, and during that period at least 20% of the proceeds from the sale of selected jewels and treasures will benefit one of those foundations. You will be given a drop down menu at checkout to select the charity to which you would like Alana Leigh to donate. You will receive a verified certificate reflecting the amount of money that went to the charity you've chosen, in your name, from the purchase that you have made on my website. The featured charities I've carefully highlighted will be profiled here on my Inspiration page so that you can read their stories and learn about their cause.

When I think of this new purpose, I am moved by an energy that compels me forward. I know that giving back is my life’s journey, and I look forward to embarking on it with you! If there is a charity that moves or inspires you, send me an email at customercare@alanaleigh.com . Let’s experience the extraordinary empowerment and heartfelt experience of giving back together.

Thank you for your part in this exciting opportunity to help others and contribute to the world in a meaningful way!

With Love and Gratitude,

Alana

Images from left to right: Alana in gratitude: Alana with her team   of soul sisters: from left: Brooke Sevenau, Alana, Judy Domenici, Alicia Hvistendahl, Alana's mom Jo Howard, Jennifer Siebel Newsom: Alana and Jennifer Siebel Newsom: Alana's jewelry show for Miss Representation: Alana in a small village in Thailand with the local children.