When Charissa Lauren decided to celebrate her birthday last year with all of her friends and co-workers, it was not an ordinary birthday party.“I’m very passionate about women’s charities and nonprofits,” said Lauren in a phone interview on Friday. “Instead of it being a birthday party, I wanted to raise money for organizations and causes dear to me.”This year, Lauren and her company, Pretty Living PR, invite Pittsburghers to a night of charity at the Grey Box Theatre – 3595 Butler St. – for the Second Annual Ladies Night For a Cause on Aug. 29 from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.Partygoers will enjoy a night of “wine, live music, shopping from Pittsburgh’s hottest vendors and boutiques, manicures, raffles, special guests, business women networking and more,” according to a press release from Pretty Living PR.Pittsburgh-based Gwen’s Girls and Washington, D.C.-based FAIR Girls will benefit from the event. Both nonprofit organizations’ goal is to empower and help young women who experienced victimization or exploitation.Gwen’s Girls “strive to empower girls and young women – aged 8 to 18 – to have productive lives through holistic, gender-specific programs, education and experiences,” according to its website. The charity, which started in 2002 by Gwen Elliot, offers programs for after school and during summer, foster care and group homes for pregnant or parenting girls.“Gwen’s Girls is a safe haven for [at-risk girls],” said Lynn Knezevich in a phone interview on Friday. “They learn certain skills to become self-sufficient.Knezevich is speaking at the Ladies Night For A Cause event about the goals of Gwen’s Girls and how people can volunteer.Gwen’s Girls was at Ladies Night last year and received a lot of positive feedback. She is looking forward to this year’s event, too.“It’s a good opportunity to get more and more people to [know about] the organization,” Knezevich said.FAIR Girls is the other beneficiary of the event and it “prevents the exploitation of girls worldwide with empowerment and education,” according to the event’s press release. Its home office in Washington, D.C. has a special emphasis on girls who experienced homelessness, foster care, sexual abuse and trafficking. It has expanded to manage programs in Bosnia, Montenegro, Serbia, Russia, Uganda and many states throughout the United States.Lauren, who is also the co-owner of Pretty Living PR, a firm that represents fashion, lifestyles and beauty companies, said they raised about $500 for each charity last year. Since a lot of the sponsors are familiar from last year’s event she has high hopes for this year’s event.“I’m hoping to get about $1000 for each charity this year. We received a lot of feedback from the last event,” Lauren said.Among all of the shopping from Tidal Cool Creations, IT Works, Mialisia Jewelry, Dona Jo Fitwear and more, Pretty Living PR will have two guest speakers, Dr. Shellie Hipsky and the CEO of Pittsburgh Fashion Week, Miyoshi Anderson. The evening will also feature performances by singer Jordyn Mason and viral singing sensation Kiersten Kelly. Additionally, there will be chances to win prizes and raffle baskets.Tickets run from $20-$30 and can be purchased at ladiesnightforacause.eventbrite.com.