Front Royal Women’s Resource Center Prepares for Major Fall Events, Celebrates Decades of Empowerment

The Front Royal Women’s Resource Center (FRWRC) is heading into a busy season of community engagement, fundraising, and empowerment programs. Executive Director Liz Coffey and board secretary Lyn Bement recently sat down in the Royal Examiner studio to share updates on upcoming initiatives, including their selection as the nonprofit partner for the Alamo Drafthouse’s Lost Weekend film festival and the return of their signature Dinner in the Vines fundraiser.

Spotlight at the Alamo Drafthouse

The FRWRC has been chosen as the nonprofit beneficiary of this year’s Lost Weekend film festival, hosted by the Alamo Drafthouse Cinema in Winchester from September 18–21. The four-day event, which celebrates cinema with screenings and community activities, will feature a silent auction organized and staffed entirely by the FRWRC.

“The nonprofit is responsible for recruiting all the items, organizing the inventory, and bringing in volunteers,” Coffey explained. “We’re looking for commitments of time, treasure—any type of support the community would like to give.”

Themed around Women in Film, the auction provides a natural tie-in for the organization, which has spent more than two decades championing women in Warren County and surrounding communities.

A network of resources and empowerment

Founded in the 1990s by JoEllen McNeil and Judy Bowie, the FRWRC serves as a hub for women seeking support, connections, and opportunities. The center helps coordinate resources, often partnering with other nonprofits such as Phoenix Project, and offers programs designed to meet the diverse needs of women across Warren, Frederick, Clarke, and Shenandoah counties.

“We like to say we’re empowerment,” Coffey said with a smile. “If we can’t help directly, we know who can. That’s why we immerse ourselves in the community—it’s about knowing a guy, or a gal, who can get things done.”

Dare to Dream: A legacy of inspiration

The FRWRC’s signature program, Dare to Dream, has provided over $180,000 in grants since 1999 to women pursuing education, business ventures, creative projects, and personal goals. The program has supported aspiring artists, entrepreneurs, educators, and more, with the grants often serving as the small but crucial boost needed to turn a dream into reality.

Past recipients have used funds for tools of their trade: a generator to power a food business at festivals, software for business management, or a professional-grade camera to elevate a photography career. “Sometimes it’s tuition, sometimes it’s books, sometimes it’s just that one thing to push someone over the edge,” Coffey said.

The application process for the 2025 Dare to Dream grants will open this fall, with awards announced at the annual breakfast in March.

Dinner in the Vines returns October 3

Another highlight on the fall calendar is Dinner in the Vines, set for October 3 at Chester Gap Cellars. The elegant evening, featuring fine dining by Red Light Culinary Studio and local wines, serves as a major fundraiser for the FRWRC. Sponsorship opportunities range from $100 bottle sponsorships to $1,000 premium packages, with proceeds directly supporting grants and programming.
“Last year was wonderful, and this year we expect it to be even bigger and better,” Coffey said. “It’s a chance to enjoy a beautiful evening and invest in opportunities for women in our community.”

Community partnerships and support

The FRWRC credits its success to broad community backing. Local businesses and organizations, including Downriver Canoe Company, the Inn at Little Washington, Home Comfort Bakery, Explore Art and Clay, the Warren Heritage Society, and others, have already pledged support for upcoming events.

The group continues to welcome donations of auction items, sponsorships, and volunteers. “Big or small, large or tiny, we’ll take it,” Coffey said. “We’ve had everything from jewelry to classic toys to original art.”

Looking ahead

With roots stretching back nearly three decades, the FRWRC has grown into a vital pillar of community support. From scholarships honoring local leaders to grants that launch new businesses and artistic careers, the center’s impact multiplies as recipients reinvest their success back into Warren County and beyond.

“This is about more than money,” Bement said. “It’s about encouragement, accountability, and community. Once a Dare to Dreamer, always a Dare to Dreamer—you’re part of the family.”

For more information about the Front Royal Women’s Resource Center, upcoming events, or ways to support, visit frwrc.org.