Today we’d like to introduce you to Gabrielle Foote
Hi Gabrielle, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I have always been deeply involved in volunteer work. In my early twenties, while living in Anchorage, Alaska, I raised money for the National Children’s Cancer Society. When I moved to Phoenix, Arizona, I became involved with Arizonans for Children and occasionally helped at St. Mary’s Food Bank.
At the end of 2021, a close friend of mine, a survivor of sexual violence (SV), sought treatment at The Meadows Behavioral Healthcare (The Meadows). The Meadows is an exceptional organization that provides mental health and trauma treatment. Unfortunately, her insurance did not cover her Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) treatment there, forcing her to choose between her mental health and financial stability. Thankfully, she was in a position to prioritize her well-being, and The Meadows changed her life—saving others in similar situations.
During this time, I had just begun college and started volunteering with the Arizona Coalition to End Sexual and Domestic Violence (ACESDV). As I became more educated on the subject, I pursued certifications to build confidence in my knowledge and ability to support survivors effectively. My desire to influence policy changes led me to volunteer with Crime Survivors for Safety and Justice (CSSJ). Which I am honored that I was able to attend their March on Washington to advocate for survivors. The more I learned about the prevalence of SV and the common struggles survivors face, the more I realized that I did not want to pursue a career in histology. In 2024, I officially changed my degree from Biomedical Sciences to Health Sciences, focusing on the impact of emotional trauma on a person’s health. It felt far more natural to work for an organization like ACESDV than a for-profit histology company. However, my ultimate goal became clear: to dedicate my life to my nonprofit, building a meaningful mission through Survivors’ Power and the people we serve.
In October 2023, I decided to host a festival to raise funds for survivors to receive treatment at The Meadows. A CPA recommended I establish a nonprofit to streamline the scholarship creation process. So, Survivors Empowered Inc. (operating as Survivors’ Power) was born. Chelsea, my childhood friend, Kelsey my sister-in-law, Jennifer a friend I have known for 16 years (also my maid of honor), and Wendy my mentor agreed to join my board.
In May 2024, I hosted our first festival at State Farm Stadium’s Great Lawn. It was a tremendous learning experience. Following the event, my sister-in-law pursued her own business, and Chelsea had other responsibilities. Today, Jennifer and Wendy remain as dedicated board members of Survivors’ Power.
During the summer of 2024, I received an email from a Phoenix Suns representative inviting Survivors’ Power to be their nonprofit of the night. My board and I were honored and immediately accepted. Since then, I have had the privilege of learning how generous and community-focused the Phoenix Suns organization is. Their willingness to recognize the struggles that survivors face and the importance of mental health has meant more to me than I can express.
The Phoenix Suns also gave us the opportunity to host an event on March 2, 2025, before their game against the Minnesota Timberwolves. This event, held from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM, will feature small business vendors, a resource area, free henna tattoos, and the chance for attendees to shoot hoops on the court. Additionally, the Phoenix Suns are generously donating an autographed jersey for us to raffle off.
We are now about 7 days away from the event. I am excited, nervous, and beyond words grateful for all the Suns have done for my organization. I am a Suns fan for life and I hope you will be too.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Gosh no! There are several obstacles I have had to overcome. Financial struggles are the most prevalent. We actually had a hacker take around $17,000 of our nonprofit’s money about three days before the May 2024 RISE Festival. Also, being a new nonprofit, grants are hard to come by. However, we are very grateful for all of the support we have received.
Another obstacle is explaining why SV is important. It’s not that people believe SV should happen, but there is so much pushback about different types of SV or if it trulyis a common occurrence. Survivors’ Power believes trauma is trauma. It does not matter what degree of SV you experience; it all impacts your life. However, this is not a common perspective. There is also the harmful belief that some survivors, men and women alike, come forward only for money or to ruin people’s careers. It is heartbreaking to hear this. Statistically, 93%-98% of reports are true, yet people allow a small percentage of false reports to create widespread doubt. The disbelief and shame placed on survivors can be so severe that they begin to question whether they are overreacting—when in reality, they are not. Sometimes, it feels like I am constantly trying to convince people that SV is a problem, that survivors should be believed, and that just because you think the accused would never do such a thing, it doesn’t mean they didn’t.
Another struggle is being known. We decided to start selling engraved items that are beautiful and uplifting and that also have our name on them. Every time someone purchases an item, we hand them a one-sheet about our organization, and on the back are some helpful facts about things like forensic examinations, the prevalence of SV, and more. If we can educate just one person and help one survivor, I believe that my nonprofit is succeeding.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
Question: What should we know? What do you do, what do you specialize in / what are you known for?
Answer: Survivors’ Power will launch our Mental Health is Health scholarship program in May 2025. This initiative will provide financial support to individuals seeking healing from sexual violence. Eligible recipients include those who have reached out to us directly or contacted The Meadows with sexual violence as their primary reason for seeking treatment. Our focus is on those facing financial hardship and in need of crucial support to access care.
The Meadows will ultimately determine scholarship recipients. As professional therapists, they are best equipped to assess each individual’s needs and evaluate their commitment to the program. Our goal is to ensure the funds we provide directly benefit those truly ready for their healing journey. The only information we will receive about recipients is basic demographic data for reporting purposes.
Beyond scholarships, we are committed to raising public awareness about the prevalence of sexual violence and sharing resources so survivors can access the help they deserve.
Question: What sets you apart from others?
Answer: What I’ve often heard is that our approach stands out because we believe the worst someone can say is no. As a board, we explore every avenue to raise awareness and support survivors. That mindset is how we secured the Great Lawn at State Farm Stadium for our festival. We sent an email, fully expecting nothing, and instead, we got a yes.
Question: What are you most proud of, brand-wise?
Answer: Our growth. The first year was challenging, filled with a steep learning curve, but we pushed through every obstacle. I’m especially proud that the Phoenix Suns learned about our nonprofit and chose to honor Survivors’ Power. They recognized the need and saw how dedicated we are to creating change. It’s an incredible achievement and I am so proud of my board and my intern for how hard we have all worked and now we are watching a difference be made.
The Suns are even allowing us to share a 30-second PSA during the game. In that brief moment, we’ll highlight the prevalence of sexual violence—a message that will reach over 17,000 people at once. That kind of impact is something I only thought of as a dream.
In terms of your work and the industry, what are some of the changes you are expecting to see over the next five to ten years?
Over the next 5 to 10 years, I believe we’ll see a significant shift in how we approach healing from trauma, including sexual violence. Mental health is finally being recognized as essential, not optional, and more organizations and communities are prioritizing access to care. I expect to see an increase in trauma-informed practices across healthcare, education, and even the workplace.
Another major shift is the growing focus on financial accessibility. Therapy and treatment can be life-changing, but it’s often out of reach for those who need it most. That’s why scholarships like ours are so crucial. I also think we’ll see technology playing a larger role—telehealth, apps, and virtual support groups are already making care more accessible, especially for those in underserved areas.
I believe awareness will continue to grow, breaking down stigmas and encouraging more survivors to seek support. Ideally, the more we educate communities and advocate for change, the closer we get to a world where organizations like mine are no longer needed. That would be a beautiful day—the day our mission is fulfilled, and our work is no longer necessary.
Contact Info:
- Website: Https://Survivorspower.org
- Instagram: Survivors.pwr
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Survivorsempowered
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/survivors-empowered-inc
