Community Women Against Hardship

I am impressed with Gloria Taylor's efforts in helping families (that otherwise have nowhere to turn) thrive and prosper through her efforts in Community Women Against Hardship. I have participated in the various fundraisers for this worthy charitable organization, and I am in awe of the tremendous effort put forth by all its volunteers to accomplish its mission. I have seen firsthand the center from which the charity is run and how generous donations are put to good use to help families get the help they need to have a fighting chance in these especially difficult times. I am also impressed with the cultural and educational programs (like the Jazz music program) that elevate this organization beyond just a typical "charity" helping those less fortunate. Kudos to CWAH for infusing these elements. I will continue to support this worthwhile organization as long as it is still going.

Community Women Against Hardship (CWAH) is responsible for providing countless young women and their families in the St. Louis area a fresh start. What I like most about CWAH is they don't acknowledge the words can't or impossible. They only know can and possible! Gloria Taylor is an awesome leader. I was impressed with her and the organization the minute I met her. Her energy is amazing, her compassion immeasurable. CWAH is sowing into the future by providing tutoring children and also developing an appreciation for Jazz music. They even have a "boutique" where parents may get items for themselves, their children and their household. I like the way Gloria just doesn't accept "any type" of donation when it comes to furniture or clothing to give to her clients, she wants the best for them because she is giving them her best and expects the best from them.

I have been a volunteer for Community Women Against Hardship (CWAH) for over ten years. The fervor and zeal that the volunteers possess is undeniably contagious. It mirrors the commitment and passion of the Executive Director. I love this organization because of the work that is done for children and families in need. CWAH provides shelter, clothing, food, counseling and educational services. Every city should have a Community Women Against Hardship, an organization who really understands how our current economic situation has adversely affected all of us, especially children and families in need.

I am so very impressed by Community Women Against Hardship and the services that they provide to the community--helping families struggling with poverty issues learn to become more self sufficient. In addition to helping the parents, they also help the children learn of a better life. From the transitional housing program, which helps people on the path to home ownership, to the after-school and Jazz programs, CWAH teaches families that hard-work is the key to success and that they are respected and valued.

Community Women Against Hardship has literally has aided in changing my life. Qualifying for services was not hard. Picking 3 services that they provide was. I choose their fitness and nutrition classes which were informative and when put to use, very effective. In 8 sessions I've lost 8 pounds. Also taking Therapy sessions which has really helped me mentally get ready for the type of life I'd like to live and support has put me on a road of success I couldn' have imagine for myself and family 4 months ago. Being involved, fully participating, and being on time has put me on lone to work at a major hospital here in St. Louis. My children have more structure, happiness, and higher self esteem. Also I've gotten to experience events I never knew existed like Jazz at the Bistro, which I've really enjoyed and met lovely people. While going through hard times and at the beginning not being able to pay my utilities they also helped there. Keeping my mind focus enough to keep advocating for my son's education , who has Asperger's Autism and Epilepsy of which they've been supportive in advice in that situation which has had a very positive outcome. Now I'm looking forward to the walk a thon that's being held on May 7th. CWAH has helped my family's emotional, spiritual, financial, artistic, educational, and social needs. I couldn't ask for a better organization (family) to belong to.

This organization does a great job with little resources. I work with this group who are very passionate about making a difference in people's life one day at a time. I watch some of the board members work 12 to 16 hous a day tring to make this a success.

I have volunteered to help with one of their fundraiser. I helped with the annual walk-a thon. This is a small group of people who try to educate people of all cultures to walk to raise money to make a difference in people's life.

They had major health groups on hand to educate people on everything heart, eyes, Hiv and other illnesses.

My children and I joined a summer program of CWAH. My children loved the program and at the end of the program we went on a trip to Atlanta Georgia last summer. My family was in awe when we went into the Altanta's aquarium. It was so beautiful and my children and I learned a great deal from the trip. We were able to touch stringrays, learned about sharks, jellfish and the coral reef.

We also went to Spellman College and Morehouse. It was the first time my children were on a college campus. The trip exposure my children to so much we all are better because of the exposure.

I received a phone call from a lady who told me I was selected to be a family of CWAH. She told me her organization would give a hand up to help me. The day she called was the day after my gas was cut off and I had received a final electric bill. I was also wondering how I can make Christmas different from the last few years.

I actually was very skeptic when she called. Who would volunteer to help a total stranger. I was hoping she was telling the truth. I soon found out she was. The first thing she did was have me call this agency who helped get my gas back on and pay down my elctric bill.

I have been donating to this organization for at least 15 years. This is a small group of volunteers and their executive director are dedicated to making our community a better place. I enjoy going to their fundraisers. They are always so entertaining.

I always enjoy their fall gala. It is so much fun and the music is great!!! They also have an auction. The items are great. I enjoy giving to this group because I have personally seen them work miracles with little to no money. They give so much to try to impact the quality of life for some low income families.

I have donated money to a great deal of charities but this is the first non-for-profit that made me want to give of myself and my time. This entity not only feeds low income families but they also feed their emotions, and their minds. I was cleaning the center one day when they had one of their programs for non-violence. The program dealt with anger management. It was teaching people how to deal with conflict resolutions.

They had a expert who learned from Dr. Martin Luther King non-violence center in Atlanta. He gave examples and did role playing for situations that occur in people's everyday life. He had the attention of families the entire time he talk. The teenagers and the parents were able to role play with problems that were occuring in their lives. It was awesome to watch.

CWAH director, staff, and volunteers are a testimony to what a few good people can do to change our world ( or our part of it) for the better. The women (and men) who make CWAH an untiring force in the St. Louis community and Bi-State region need our support. The work they do is timely and urgent. Their mission is clear and their determination strong!

This is a great orgainzation who impacts low income families. I have seen this orgainzation help give shelter, clothing, food and education to families in need. They have such wonderful programs such as GED mentoring, Group counseling, classses to teach children how to play jazz with different instruments. They teach nutrtional programs to help with obesity, diabetes and hypertension. The group have some fantastic consultants who work with these families for at least a year.

This orgainzation has a wonderful transitional housing program as well. It is a 2 year program which prepares people to become home owners. It shows people how to save money how to deal with their credit scores. It teaches them on how to deal with financial institutions. It teaches them to live by a bugdet.

This orgainzation tries to give a" hand up" to people to help them become more self sufficient. The organization is a resource broker for area families. It is a group who does" make a difference in people's lives"!!!!!!!

As a staff member of CWAH, I learn something new from [Executive Director & Founder] Gloria L. Taylor each day. She provides important services & programs to those who need them. Her love for people is genuine, and she is a source of strength in the community. She is the best at what you does. It is a privilege to be a part of Community Women Against Hardship and to know and work with Ms. Taylor.

A parent came with a burden to bear They came looking for guidance And perhaps a kind word You saw their challenge And decided to help Your caring voice opened a door A child came looking quite sad And then another, with defiance And you welcomed them all They all came with stories Which were all unique You offered your help – and you listened You may have provided a meal You may have provided gifts You may have provided guidance You may have worked behind the scenes But slowly a change came about The mood seemed lighter And then there was a smile, Maybe first from you Then maybe from a child, a parent It made all the difference to those you touched & helped. The child, the parent looked to you And then there was a smile! Thank you for the smiles, the support, and the love you provide.

Community Women Against Hardship (CWAH) is an organization that provides a lifeline to families who have encountered hardtimes and need a helping hand to get them on their feet CWAH adopts 20-30 families for a year and provides them with social services, educational workshops, health and nutrition programs, transitional housing in some cases, food, clothing, funiture and even paying utility bills on occasion. CWAH is an organization that every city needs. There are so many families struggling with poverty and too few organizations are providing the kind of support that CWAH is committed to.

Although I am a relatively new Board Member of Community Against Hardship (CWAH), I have been aware of and associated with the organization in varying capacity for over 10 years. I have seen this organization grow into a critical provider of Family Support and Services within the St Louis Region and project the image that is typically reserved for the national and international presence. When my life took a turn and I was looking for a place to “belong”, it was without hesitation that CWAH became that place; a place where I can help and at times just as important “learn” from others experiences and circumstances. Gloria Taylor’s ability to smile and bring smile to others regardless of the situation is a true testament to “finding your passion” and success will follow. With very little she has been able to help and positively impact so many. My day to day role as VP with Wells Fargo Advisors provides opportunities for me to sharpen my skills. My role at CWAH allows me to utilize those skills beyond the corporate arena and visualize immediate results. I am honored to be associated with such an elite team who continually strive to provide the ultimate best in a desperate society.

I have been a part of Community Women Against Hardship (CWAH) for sixteen years. The organization has assisted me during a very difficult time in my life. I was a Battered wife and recently divorced with three young children. The case managers and CEO of CWAH reached out to my family and our life has never been the same. During the sixteen years of service and friendship, I have volunteered in several capacities, educated and adopted families. During my service of giving back to the community, I have obtained a dual Associates’ Degree, Bachelors of Arts, two Masters Degrees and in pursuit of my PH.D in Educational Leadership. I am proud to be a part of (CWAH), if the organization had not crossed my families’ path during the critical time of my life I do not know how far and to what extent I would have grown (excelled). If any organization deserves to be praised for the service that is renderd, it’s CWAH.

I have volunteered for over 15 years with Community Women Against Hardship because I believe in and support their mission of providing services to help famiies improve their lifestyles. The organization does wonders with very little or not much financial support from large coperations in the community. The term making lemons from lemonade is what they do. More with less. I am totally commited to help them in any way I can because they work to help the total family improve. I feel the orgsnization is an example of the tyes of programs you are seeking to include.

This organization takes a group of 20 or more families and adopt them for a year. The families are chosen from a panel of volunteers govern by a clinical social worker. I have played Santa for each family. The community and this organization come together and purchase anything from furniture to clothes and toys for the family. They also pay gas and electric bills. It is such a great feeling to see the faces of the families light up. It means so much to these single women and men to have someone who can help them become more independent. The volunteers work very hard to make the children's Christmas special.

I have personally worked with several different families over the years to help each family to become more self sufficent. We have helped people make the transition from renting to owning their own homes. This orgainzation provides a number of services which include GED Program, Health and Wellness classes, Computer classes and has an oustanding youth Jazz class for studying and playing all types of jazz. This orgainzation does a great job with taking the entire family unit on a educational trips outside of St. Louis arena for example, the families went to the Clinton Library last summer. In the past they have been to president Lincoln's Library in Springfield Illinois, Altanta Georgia(Spellman College, Moorehouse and Clark University), They been to the Civil Rights Museum in Memphis, Tennessee. They been to the stock market just to name a few This orgainzation helps expose families to places they have had a siginficant impact on the history of our country.

CWAH is a good community asset and has truly grown over the years to tailor it services to the needs of the community, while provided opportunitie in other areas that may not have been available othewise. In addition, we are looking for ways to expand our young people's horizons and opportunities. CWAH have continued to keep their doors open and provide an enrichment program included the Jazz Institute and Cooking Class focused on fighting Diabetes. I have provided referrals for the majority of the services. In addition, I have support community programs such as Annual People Against Poverty Campaign. I have referred clients the the Family Support Center specifically to the boutique of gently used clothes to obtain attire for a job interview; as well as a food pantry who needed food.

I first learned about this organization when I was interviewing the Executive Director, Ms. Gloria Taylor, as part of my CORO Women in Leadership class. I was so impressed by Ms. Taylor's dedication to the goal of empowering women to succeed--for themselves and their families--that I wanted to get more involved. Ms. Taylor asked me to be on the Board and I was honored to be invited to be a part of such a wonderful group of Board members.

I have been a board member for several years and a volunteer for over 10 and I cannot say enough about this organization. Their hands-on-approach, guided by faith is an inspiration to all involved. Please consider CWAH when you are looking to give, whether monetary or in-kind. No act of kindness, no matter the size is ever wasted.

I am an architect. I met the founder of this nonprofit in 1988. She is a very caring woman and has the interest of women and children close to her heart. The organization takes two or three families a year and make sure they get all the help they need to get back on their feet. The organization sponsors a jazz institute where young people can learn about jazz music and instruments. The organization has a library and computer lab. But as many organizations of this type, it does not have enough financial support. However, the Founder and CEO Gloria Taylor has managed to keep things afloat since 1988. Because of the work of this nonfprofit one of the young women helped went to college. The organization takes its candidates on educational field trips with the help of a local Church that provided the bus and driver.