For 25 years The Carying Place has been helping homeless, working families learn the life skills they need to achieve long-term self-sufficiency.

On Saturday, April 21, the Maggy-winning nonprofit will celebrate that record of service to the community with a gala and fundraiser at Prestonwood Country Club in Cary. Beginning at 6 p.m., the event will include family and volunteer testimonials, prized auction items, raffles, a buffet and an open bar. Tickets are $125 per person and are available at https://one.bidpal.net/tcp2018/welcome.

“We work with the entire family, and the goal is to stop the cycle of homelessness,” said Executive Director Leslie Covington.

The Cary-based nonprofit provides transitional housing and a 16-week training program in budgeting, goal-setting, time management and self-sufficiency.

“The goal is that children we house will become adults who avoid homelessness, because of their experience and the skills learned by the entire family while in our program,” she said.

In addition to financial support, The Carying Place needs volunteers to work one-on-one with families as support partners. The nonprofit could also use skilled workers to help maintain its houses.

“Volunteer with us,” Covington said. “Invite us to your small groups, religious services, or meetings of businesses and civic organizations, to share our mission and vision to reduce homelessness for working families and their children.”

The Carying Place has worked with more than 350 families to achieve financial independence. Eight families are currently living in apartments or townhomes owned or leased by the nonprofit. It receives approximately 300 requests for homelessness-related services a month, and there are more than 360 families awaiting housing assistance.