Women Helping Women 2025 Ignites Community & Connection With Over $234,000 Raised to Support Mental Health Services in Central Iowa

Rachel Degen on May 13, 2025

Nearly 600 attendees joined the Center’s 27th annual Women Helping Women event on May 2, 2025, raising over $234,000 to support vital mental health counseling, education, training and services for underinsured women, children and families in need.

Women Helping Women 2025 photo of panelists on stage during program

This year’s luncheon offered guests the first experience of a panelist discussion in the history of Women Helping Women. The panel went in depth on how social media can affect our mental health. Moderated by former broadcast journalist, Jackie Schmillen, the panel was guided to share real stories and provide expert opinions on this theme. With such a timely subject matter, the discussion has continued generating conversations since the event!

Whether you’re new to Women Helping Women, or a longtime supporter, please enjoy highlights from our 2025 luncheon!

Please stay tuned to watch the video of the entire program to experience the highly anticipated panel discussion.

We gathered nearly 600 people for an inspiring luncheon at the Meadows Events Center in Altoona, Iowa on May 2, 2025, as we celebrated 27 years of Women Helping Women—honoring those who inspire with kindness and lead with purpose. This year’s program featured our 2025 honoree, Mary Gottschalk, whose leadership and determination have impacted countless lives, and a powerful panel discussion exploring the impact of social media on mental health. Moderated by Jackie Schmillen, the panel included insights from Dr. Heidi Bowden, Gabby Guerra, Hannah Koch and Rob Randazzo, who shared both professional expertise and personal reflections on navigating digital life while supporting mental wellness.

Their conversation shed light on how social media influences self-worth, connection and anxiety—especially among youth—and why cultivating healthy boundaries and community support is more important than ever.

Thanks to the generosity of our sponsors, table hosts and supporters, the event raised more than $234,000 to support the Center’s mission of providing critical mental health services to women, children and families across our community.

Women Helping Women 2025 Program Cover
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See highlights of Women Helping Women from Past years

Thank you to our 2025 sponsors and donors for supporting our 27th annual Women Helping Women luncheon!

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You can make a difference in the mental health of women, children and families!

Support Women Helping Women

We look forward to your continued support of our next Women Helping Women annual luncheon event!

For more information, contact Heather Stuyvesant, Director of Development

Office: 515-564-5122 | Email: [email protected]

2025 Women Helping Women Donors and Sponsors

Rachel Degen on May 13, 2025

Thank you to our generous sponsors and donors who helped the 27th Annual Women Helping Women event raise over $234,000! Your contribution ensures mental health services for women, children and families who are uninsured or underinsured.

Together for Mental Health: How the 2024 Women Helping Women Luncheon Raised Nearly $290,000 to Support Families in Need

Rachel Degen on September 24, 2024

Over 500 attendees joined the Center’s 26th annual Women Helping Women event on May 17, 2024, raising nearly $290,000 to support vital mental health counseling, education, training, and services for underinsured women, children, and families in need.

Honoree Carol Bodensteiner holds her hands to her heart while speaking at Mind & Spirit Counseling Center's 2024 Women Helping Women luncheon

Carol Bodensteiner, the 2024 Women Helping Women Honoree, delivers an inspiring speech to a supportive crowd at Mind & Spirit Counseling Center. Her advocacy for mental health and the invaluable guidance she received from the Center during a challenging time exemplify the awareness we aim to promote.

Whether you’re new to Women Helping Women, or a longtime supporter, please enjoy highlights from our 2024 luncheon!

Watch the video of the entire program to experience Carol and Teri’s profound messages on how mental health care for women can be life changing.

We gathered nearly 600 people for an inspiring luncheon at the Meadows Event Center in Altoona, Iowa on May 17, 2024! A celebration of 26 years of honoring women who inspire with kindness and lead with purpose, we enjoyed a dynamic program from our 2024 honoree, Carol Bodensteiner, and our keynote speaker Teri Hughes-Paulline, LISW, who emphasized the critical importance of mental health care in their own lives. They highlighted the significant impact that proper mental health support can have on individuals and communities.

The event successfully raised over $287,000, which will greatly contribute to the mission of the Center in providing essential mental health services to women, children and families in need. The funds raised enable the Center to expand its programs, reach more individuals, and make a lasting difference in the lives of those struggling with mental health challenges.

View 2024 Program
Speaker Teri Hughes-Paulline speaks to a large crowd at Mind & Spirit Counseling Center's 2024 Women Helping Women luncheon.
Teri Hughes-Paulline inspires nearly 600 attendees with her beautiful speech relating stories of her 50 years as a therapist back to the mission of the Center.
Leigh OTool, Shirley Poertner, honoree Carol Bodensteiner, speaker Teri Hughes-Paulline, and executive director Jim Hayes at Mind & Spirit Counseling Center's 2024 Women Helping Women luncheon
A special thanks to Leigh O’Tool (co-chair), Shirley Poertner (co-chair), Carol Bodensteiner (honoree), Teri Hughes-Paulline (speaker), and Jim Hayes (Mind & Spirit Counseling Center executive director)
Honoree Carol Bodensteiner holds her hands to her heart while speaking at Mind & Spirit Counseling Center's 2024 Women Helping Women luncheon
Honoree, Carol Bodensteiner, shares a heartwarming speech how the Center helped her in a time of great loss and processing grief.
Laurie Betts Sloterdyk, retiring director of development, speaks to the crowd as Heather Stuyvesant, new director of development, stands beside her on stage at Mind & Spirit Counseling Center's 2024 Women Helping Women luncheon
Laurie Betts Sloterdyk expresses a heartfelt ‘goodbye’ as she embarks on retirement and graciously welcomes Heather Stuyvesant as the new Director of Development.
Nine women together at their table at Mind & Spirit Counseling Center's 2024 Women Helping Women luncheon
Nine women posing together at Mind & Spirit Counseling Center's 2024 Women Helping Women luncheon
Co-chair Shirley Poertner welcomes the audience to Mind & Spirit Counseling Center's 2024 Women Helping Women luncheon
2024 co-chair, Shirley Poertner, welcomes the audience to the 26th Annual Women Helping Women luncheon.
Co-chair Leigh OTool shares a moment of gratitude on the stage at Mind & Spirit Counseling Center's 2024 Women Helping Women luncheon
2024 co-chair, Leigh O’Tool, shares a moment of gratitude for attendees, sponsors and donors who help make this event a success.
Vanessa Macro listens to the presentation surrounded by guests at her table at Mind & Spirit Counseling Center's 2024 Women Helping Women luncheon
Five women posing together at Mind & Spirit Counseling Center's 2024 Women Helping Women luncheon
Diane Glass reads a poem she wrote for the Mind & Spirit Counseling Center's 2024 Women Helping Women luncheon
Poet and author, Diane Glass, reads her poem “Unearth the Future” to our guests.
Unearth The Future, poem written by Diane Glass and presented at the 2024 Women Helping Women luncheon hosted by Mind & Spirit Counseling Center.
Mind & Spirit Counseling Center's 2024 Women Helping Women luncheon team of volunteers and staff
Congratulations to all the great work by the 2024 Women Helping Women committee and members of the Mind & Spirit Counseling Center staff!
See highlights of Women Helping Women from Past years

Thank you to our 2024 sponsors and donors for supporting our 26th annual Women Helping Women luncheon!

View All Donors


You can make a difference in the mental health of women, children and families!

Support Women Helping Women

We look forward to your continued support of our next Women Helping Women annual luncheon event!

For more information, contact Heather Stuyvesant, Director of Development

Office: 515-564-5122 | Email: [email protected]

2024 Women Helping Women Donors and Sponsors

Rachel Degen on September 24, 2024

Thank you to our generous sponsors and donors who helped the 26th Annual Women Helping Women event raise nearly $290,000. Your contribution ensures mental health services for women, children and families who are uninsured or underinsured.

2023 Women Helping Women Donors and Sponsors

Nina Pack on March 30, 2023

Thank you to our generous sponsors and donors who helped the 25th Annual Women Helping Women event raise a record-breaking $300,000! Your contribution ensures mental health services for women, children and families who are uninsured or underinsured.

2022 Women Helping Women event raises $223,000 for women, children and families who need access to mental health services

Nina Pack on May 21, 2022

More than 500 guests participated in the Center’s 24th annual Women Helping Women event which raised $223,000. Funds will support mental health counseling, education, training and other services that impact women, children and families who are underinsured or from low income households. Sharon Goldford was our 2022 honoree and our inspiring keynote speaker was Jacquie Easley McGhee. Our 2022 planning committee co-chairs were Rachel Hardin and Laura Palmer.

2022 Women Helping Women Sponsors and Donors

Nina Pack on March 15, 2022

Thank you to all our sponsors and donors for supporting the 24th Annual Women Helping Women luncheon on May 20, 2022! Your contribution ensures mental health services for women, children and families who are uninsured or underinsured. Through your generosity, the event raised $223,000!

2021 Women Helping Women raises $218,000 to support mental health counseling and other services for women, children and families

Nina Pack on May 22, 2021

More than 500 guests participated in the Center’s 24th annual Women Helping Women event which raised $223,000. Funds will support mental health counseling, education, training and other services that impact women, children and families who are underinsured or from low income households. Sharon Goldford was our 2022 honoree and our inspiring keynote speaker was Jacquie Easley McGhee. Our 2022 planning committee co-chairs were Rachel Hardin and Laura Palmer.