I came to the center after a divorce that took away my emotional and financial stability. The center put me on a track to success. They helped me with counseling and getting back to school. I earned several scholarships through the center to help with my continued education. The center helped to keep me focused and driven. I credit my success to the center. The gave me the guidance I needed to stay on a positive track and achieve goals I thought were impossible. Thank you!
When I came to the WOC several years ago, I had lost everything - my home, marriage, job. They helped me with food, clothing, holidays, and job readiness. I attended the workshops, and computer classes which were wonderful for me. I attended their support groups for my self esteem. I met with their Career Coach and started on the track of education and looking for a job. I went back to school to finish my degree, they helped me with my resume. I found a job to support my family, and this helped me get back on my feet. If it was not for them, I would not be where I am today. I am now a teacher and doing really well with my children and I am now able to support them and I feel good aout myself. Thank you WOC!
I am a reporter for a weekly New Jersey newspaper called The Central Record. Through a teacher at Medford's Memorial School when I was covering her Girls Matter! enrichment class, I learned about the WOC. I decided I wanted to write a story about the organization and so I met with Cathi Rendfrey. I was blown away by the scope of services it offers and the value it has to the large population of women who find themselves responsible to raise a family after a divorce, death of a loved one, disability, etc. This program offers educational seminars - computer training, financial and legal assistance and so much more - and counseling and collects work attire for women for interviews and to help them get started in the work force...just to touch on its offerings. At the time of my story, a local technical school with a hairdressing program (among other fields) offered free haircuts and manicures to clients one Monday night each month. The dedication of the staff and participation of the community and professionals in the field who offer free services to the clients is just incredible. Women who were once served there return to help newcomers to the organization... I am so inspired by the director, Cathi Rendfrey, and her vision and ability to make such a valuable contribution to society. Judy Cohen Minches
This is an unique center available to help women in need going through divorce, separation, widows or have a disabled spouse. They are there all the way helping the women step back into becoming a productive member of society by learning the skills they need to reenter the work force, in particular computer skills. Wonderful and caring staff!
The Women's Opportunity Center is designed to help women gain economic self sufficiency as they go through the tough process of separation, divorce, death or disability of a spouse. The services are comprehensive and there are no income guidelines. Services provided include counseling, professional workshops related to empowerment and improvement of self esteem; legal issues. computer training, resume preparation and job referrals, food bank and interview clothing attire. A woman feels comfortable at the Center and is empowered to take charge of her life. While the goal is economic self sufficiency, other positive outcomes are evident: daycare, holistic family relationships, and coping skills, just to name a few. The Center's accomplishments are too numerous to mention and the current Director has also taken on the task of fund raising due to limited grant funding.
The Women's Opportunity Center (WOC) helps women in transition but the center also helps women transition themselves - from feeling powerless and fearful about the future to feeling hopeful and empowered. The WOC helps women set goals, identify resources, seek employment and employability, and move towards economic and emotional self-sufficiency.