Girls Think Tank Gala at Exquisite Estate

It began over dinner. A group of girlfriends—young, upwardly mobile attorneys and their legal counterparts—gathered not to share secrets of wardrobe design or tend to matters of love, lust or celebrity gossip, but rather on matters of basic human dignity. This Saturday, Bill and Michelle Lerach will open up their magnificent estate in La Jolla from 6:30 to 11 p.m. for Girls Think Tank’s Big Easy-style masquerade gala in the name of helping the homeless, preventing violence against women and ensuring San Diegans’ basic needs are met.

Girls Think Tank is an entirely volunteer-run nonprofit organization. Credited, in part, with San Diego City Council’s approval of four public restrooms and water in downtown San Diego, the group gathers monthly in the board room of a downtown law firm, where professional and displaced residents tackle challenges on both grassroots and policy levels.

“We like to call ourselves a ‘do tank,’ because thinking only gets you so far,” said Rachel Jensen, president and founding member of GTT. “We work strategically, from the ground up, producing tangible results.”

Results like public restrooms and water downtown, and survival backpacks full of cold weather supplies distributed to hundreds of displaced residents. While the average person may take these luxuries for granted, many of GTT’s members do not, because they, too, are homeless.

Ideas for the programs GTT supports come directly from the people they serve. Results of a survey of displaced San Diegans showed a strong need for water and public restrooms. The group secured 5,000 signatures in support of fulfilling these basic needs—2,000 of which were gathered by members of the homeless community.

Founded in 2006, the organization's community contributions caused the likes of Marti Emerald and the Lerachs to take note and advocate on its behalf. Like any nonprofit, however, growth is imperative for continued success. Proceeds from the gala will help the organization build capacity, launch a project to diminish violence against women and help fund a free legal clinic for the homeless. All contributions stay in San Diego.

Rather than spam potential donors with unwanted pleas for funds, GTT employs a “party for a good cause” model, educating people about programs, putting them in touch with the very people they’re helping and giving them a reason to celebrate. Saturday’s Big Easy-style masquerade gala will feature a professional casino, New Orleans fare from Authentic Flavors, organic desserts from and live music. A live and silent auction will put guests within reach of an exquisite private estate in St. Croix, the Virgin Islands; a chalet with private access to the slopes; a Lady Gaga guitar and more. Big Easy masquerade attire is requested. Tickets, which include food, drinks, raffle tickets and more, are priced at $100 and $250 and can be purchased by contacting fundraiser@girlsthinktank.org or by visiting girlsthinktank.org. The address will be sent upon purchase of a ticket.