About Us

BraveWorks

BraveWorks serves women in Charlotte, North Carolina, who have experienced trauma, instability, and hardship. Through The Brave Way, our year-long, trauma-informed program, we provide healing support, workforce training, and sustained case management to help women move from crisis to stability.

Our approach integrates three critical phases: Stabilization and emotional healing (ETCH)Practical workforce skill-building (EMERGE)Employment retention support

Unlike short-term programs that rush women into jobs before they're ready, we give participants a full year of consistent, one-on-one support, addressing not just job skills, but the emotional, financial, and relational barriers that keep women from thriving.

Women are referred to us by community partners as they work to overcome situations such as abuse, addiction, homelessness, incarceration, and generational poverty. We believe that healing takes time, stability takes support, and transformation happens when women are given the tools, dignity, and consistent care they deserve.

Executive Director
Kyra Harvey MSW, LSCW

Message From Our Executive Director

I believe healing is the foundation for transformation. I’m dedicated to ensuring that every woman who walks through BraveWorks’doors is met with dignity, compassion, and holistic support as she chooses healing and stability.

The Problem

Women overcoming trauma and injustice need access to healing communities and robust opportunities.

Our Solution

We provide healing and empowerment through impactful connections, inspired creations & economic confidence.

Our Mission

Is to empower and equip women overcoming trauma, bridging the gap from pain to purpose.

Our Vision

Is a world where no woman’s story ends in trauma.

WE BELIEVE

In the power of women to change the world, regardless of their circumstances.

WE ENVISION

God-inspired transformation through healing and leading abundant and purposeful lives.

WE EMPOWER

Women and families overcoming trauma and injustice, bridging the gap from pain to purpose through impactful connections, inspired creations, and economic confidence.

Our Story Our Brave Journey

It all started on a mission trip to Rwanda, Africa. There, God touched the heart of our founder, Michele Dudley, and ultimately our co-founder, Celeste Bundy. From that trip and from their hearts grew a ministry to empower women around the world, and the organization was officially formed in fall of 2012 as Fashion & Compassion. One year later, Michele and Celeste met a survivor of human trafficking in Charlotte, NC, and that’s when the local programming was born.

Michele still sits on our Board of Advisors and is one of our best and favorite advocates for this mission. Michele is a social entrepreneur who is passionate about educating, empowering, and advocating for those overcoming poverty and injustice, with a particular focus on women and youth.

Celeste now leads one of our partner organizations, Education Equals Hope, which exists to provide for the education of those living in desperate and difficult situations. Many of you may know of our Baya bracelet, a long-time favorite, which is made in partnership with Education Equals Hope.

We are so grateful for the amazing ways that God used both Michele and Celeste to launch this incredible ministry. Their heart for serving others is an inspiration! Today, our organization, now known as BraveWorks, serves women in the US, Africa and South/Central America. Our heart for empowering women overcoming trauma and injustice has remained constant for the past 10 years, and we are excited to see what God does in the next 10 years!