The issue of homelessness continues to be a staggering problem in Los Angeles, but one local organization working to combat homelessness has several things to celebrate this holiday season.

This week, the Downtown Women's Center celebrated the opening of its newly renovated downtown residence and MADE by DWC Resale Boutique, which offers designer women's fashions along with homemade holiday gift items.

Supporters and local advocates attended the grand-opening event. An all-female mariachi band - yes, it is as awesome as it sounds - serenaded the crowd before Women's Center CEO Lisa Watson cut the ribbon to officially open the boutique.

A female mariachi band performed at the grand opening

Thursday's grand opening marked the unveiling of 48 renovated Women's Center apartment units on Los Angeles Street. The facility was revamped with the assistance of local labor groups and a slew of interior designers who donated their time and the materials used. It wasn't surprising that professional designers were involved. Many of the interior designers attended the opening, proud to show off their individually crafted spaces, which included a sunny yellow and aqua colored country kitchen and multiple community rooms.

Counting the renovated apartments, the Women's Center now has a total of 119 units for homeless women to take up residence.

The vast majority of women assisted by the Women's Center come off of skid row. All of the women living in Women's Center housing qualify as "chronically homeless" and suffer from either a mental health and/or physical disability. These are the women who are most vulnerable on the streets and have the hardest time getting back on their feet.

Not only do the residences give these women a place to call home, they also include important counseling services and workforce training. That's also where MADE by DWC Boutique comes into play.

MADE by DWC Boutique

After the ribbon was cut and attendees were allowed to file into the brand-new boutique, I was able to get my first glimpse at the cozy gem of a space that the MADE by DWC Boutique truly is. They have great stuff! Decorated somewhat like an Anthropologie, the boutique stocks secondhand designer women's clothing donated by supporters in LA. The items are top-notch items at extremely discounted prices. There was Fendi, Prada and Isaac Mizrahi, and everything from trendy shoes and skirts to overcoats. 

Alongside these designer items were perhaps the even more specialty items: handmade items crafted by the women of DWC. These items range from candles in vintage teacups (LOVE these), handcrafted soap made of lavender and honey, adorable felt Christmas ornaments, notebooks and coin purses among other treasures. Everything is reasonably priced, and come with the added knowledge that the incredible residents of DWC made them with tender loving care. 

This spot is the perfect place to knock out some of your holiday shopping. A hundred percent of the proceeds from the handmade products help fund vocational training and support services for homeless and low-income women in Skid Row's community. Go before they sell out!

I left with hope in my heart and a giant bag of wonderful hand-made goodies purchased for holiday gifts.

The shop is located at 325 S. Los Angeles St. Its hours are Mon.-Fri. from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. and Sat. from 11 a.m.-5 p.m.

Check out a slideshow of images from the Downtown Women's Center and MADE by DWC Boutique.

Reach staff reporter Ashley Riegle by email. Follow her on Twitter here.