Women's Empowerment
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My Role: Volunteer & As a volunteer career mentor, I listened to my student practice her " 30 second me" summary of her strengths and job goals and gave feedback so that she would feel more confident in an initial interview with a possible employer. I helped her with her wr.
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May 28, 2010
I have mentored two graduates of Women's Empowerment and was thrilled to see them, as well as the other members of their class, gain the skills and self-confidence to turn their lives around. My first student had no teeth and was unwilling to go to interviews, but after her dental work, she enrolled in community college.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
I have mentored 2 women through 8 week sessions each and have continued my involvement though financial contributions and by reading their emails and newsletters.They provide a service to these women that no other organization in Sacramento does.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
The only change that I can think of is to provide a more spacious child care room for the mothers with young children.
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What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
meeting women who truly want to make a better life for themselves and their children.
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
amazing, dedicated, and caring.
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
become a national model.
Ways to make it better...
I had more technical skill so that I could be of more help in use of the computer for writing resumes.
In my opinion, the biggest challenges facing this organization are...
probably lack of funding to expand program.
How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
About once a year
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2010
May 28, 2010
I hate cold calls. As a business owner, I do everything in my power to avoid cold calling people. As far as I'm concerned, I want a relationship with a potential customer before I ask for their business. In this world, though, if you don't ask, you don't get. Sometimes, you have to ask cold. And I mean ask, not demand, not explode, not expect, not feel entitled... Ask. Which leads me to the reason I volunteer at and truly love Women's Empowerment. I originally went in to support them with their building rehabilitation. They asked for help, I said yes. One of the graduates asked me, politely, why I wasn't a mentor. After investigating the time commitment and work commitment, I signed up. It was the best thing I ever did to empower my own life. The women served by this organization come in with a small spark of light knowing they want to change their life. And they ask for help. These women commit to attending every class and let go of excuses that get in the way of them coming to the class. They ask for help when they come up against an excuse for not showing up. The staff that supports the women participants create programs that bolster and add to that small spark of light to create a bonfire of enthusiasm and a community of women in growth. The staff asks for help from each other, and the participants, when they need something. Back to asking and cold calls: In order to graduate, the participants have to make 4 cold calls - 2 to businesses they have researched and want to work at, but aren't necessarily hiring, and 2 to businesses that are hiring and have posted positions. Here's the part that keeps me coming back to this organization. As a mentor, I support these women in making these calls. These women, who have truly been through the ringer, who have been nurtured, and supported, and had their light expanded, make cold calls, with grace, and poise, and they ask for a job. And then I ask them for insight and feedback about how to get over my fear of cold calls. It's like the cycle is then complete. They have learned to ask, I have learned to ask, and we together are stronger for doing it together.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
Personal growth. By helping people grow and claim their light and power, I am reminded of mine.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
Ensure the long term financial stability of the program is secure. Provide business and management training to all of the staff to help them improve their already growing non-profit.
More feedback...
What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
the participants keep coming back after graduation to nurture the next generation.
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
friendly and thoughtful.
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
invest in a secure financial foundation/fund then spend more time focusing on the programs and improving the location.
Ways to make it better...
More people knew about it - it gets some press, but in ebbs and flows.
In my opinion, the biggest challenges facing this organization are...
ensuring the city and county graciously allow the location to expand.
One thing I'd also say is that...
this is one of the most personally empowering places to volunteer.
How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
About every six months
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2009
May 28, 2010
Tuesday is my favorite day of the week. That's when I go downtown to Loaves and Fishes with 2 or 3 other volunteers to give a Parenting class to the homeless women as part of the 7 week program offered by Womens' Empowerment. The staff and volunteers do an essential job in renewing hope and trust in life for the women in the program,teaching new skills, counselling, encouraging and caring. Our parenting class has been received warmly, and the women are grateful for the down to earth advice they are given, including nourishment through stories, puppet shows, making little doll babies and sharing their own stories. I am reminded every week -there but for the grace of God go I and am humbled by the honesty, courage and gratitude of these women and of those who faithfully serve them.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
By attending several graduations, and seeing the hope and joy on each one's face as they receive their diploma and express their gratitude
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What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
The dedication and caring of the staff
How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
About every week
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2010
May 28, 2010
Women's Empowerment started, as many wonderful things are, by one dedicated woman and in less than a decade has hundreds of volunteers serving hundreds of homeless women and their children. Women's Empowerment has allowed women to enter and return to the job market, find safe housing and gain self-esteem and confidence. It is the only organization in Sacramento which speaks to the needs and dreams of women who have lost everything and feel despair and hopelessness. It is 100% community supported with no government funds. It is a magical program.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
Working weeking over nearly six years, I've seen women transformed such that you could see it in their demeanor and, more measurably, have seen them move from the street, the shelters and the river banks to warm, safe housing.
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How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
About every week
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2010
May 28, 2010
One day when we were wrapping up a training module on excel spreadsheets, Sarah was requesting to stay after class for some additional help and practice time. She explained that she was returning to the workforce after being a stay at home mom for 10+ years to her three children. Her homelessness was due to domestic violence, and she realized that computer skills were a key ingredient in her joining todays working world. She was diligently hunting and pecking to complete the assignment when her three children arrived at the center from school. Her oldest daughter Theresa came in eager to tell her mom about her day in school and was teasing her mom about being "behind the times" with computers. I pulled 14 year old Theresa aside to give her mom time to finish her work. Theresa explained to me that she was still attending school in her old neighborhood, she was getting an A in science, and how she wanted to be a veternarian when she grew up. She told me that her friends did not know that she was homeless, and how difficult it was to finish her homework at the shelter due to all the distractions. It was at that moment that is all clicked for me, it is important that we show up week after week to teach the women computer skills because most of these women are mothers and when they are homeless so are their children. The faster we can help them to get into sustainable housing, school, and/or work the less children sleeping on the streets of our city. There is nothing more important that Women's Empowerment.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
Resume writing, Computer Skills Training, and Job Mentoring. This organization is supported by hundreds of volunteers in the Sacramento area every month because the staff is so good at partnering and bringing the skills of many to support women in need.
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How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
About every month
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2010
May 27, 2010
What does it take for a homeless woman's life to achieve the classic storybook ending? Exactly the combination of program components which Women's Empowerment is dedicated to providing. Can a homeless woman under the strains of addiction live Happily Ever After? No, so WE inspires her to conquer that addiction by reserving the program for those who are clean and sober. And the incentives of reuniting with family, finding a job, and finding a home provide powerful inspiration. Programs which address addiction alone cannot address the other, crippling issues of joblessness and separation from family. Can a homeless woman live Happily Ever After? No, so WE inspires her to find housing, but only after providing training and even clothing for job-readiness to pay for that housing. The most worthy housing programs are empty promises to the woman who has neither the plan nor the resources to sustainably pay the rent and utilities. Can a homeless woman live Happily Ever After if she has lost her family? No, but by allowing her to recover from the root causes which caused her to lose her family (addiction, joblessness , and homelessness), WE makes available the path toward that life-altering family reunion that makes her whole. While wonderful programs exist to allow families to visit and reunite on a temporary basis, no permanent reunion is possible without the sustainability of job and income which our programming provides. Can a homeless woman live Happily Ever After if she has lost her job? No, but by providing training allowing her to recover from the root causes which caused her to lose her job (substandard work skills, emotional and psychological impairment, inadequate wardrobe), WE paves the way with computer skills training, resume building, and wardrobe availability for that successful interview and future job. Other job training programs provide excellent transitional assistance to those whose skills are stale, but may not address the self-esteem issues that are unique to homeless women. I am proud to help WE help bring the Happily Ever After storytale ending to the homeless women of our area! Alexis Korbey
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
Donating time to meet a graduate and experience her transition from homelessness to a working mother's life.
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How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
About every month
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2010
May 27, 2010
One of my favorite experiences has been meeting Candace. She was homeless due to domestic violence. I saw her working hard every day to accomplish her graduation requirements. She was motivated to turn her life around, taking advantage of every opportunity presented to her. Today, Candace has a job. She volunteers her time on the speakers bureau at Women's Empowerment because she wants to spread awareness and inspire others. Hers is just one of many powerful stories. Women's Empowerment really makes a difference! And that's why I give part of my pay check back every month.
Photos
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
meeting the many women and children whose lives have improved.
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What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
meeting the women and children whose lives have changed.
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
I work here, AND I donate. It's that important to me.
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
Create jobs and address the problem of 13.1% unemployment in our community!
How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
About every week
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2010
May 27, 2010
I volunteer in the office on a weekly basis, so I have firsthand knowledge of the program. I have witnessed homeless woman go through the 8-week program and can attest to the remarkable transformations that occur. I know that the program operates on a very thrifty budget, using volunteers and in-kind donations to maximize the effectiveness of the program.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
I see for myself the change in the clients.
More feedback...
How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
About every week
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2008
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