Background
Launched in early 2006 to provide funding to diverse agencies in the region, the Community Women’s Fund is uniquely community-driven with annual funding priorities developed from a signature Women’s Issues Summit attended by dozens of community leaders and activists working directly with women, girls and families.
The Community Women’s Fund Review Committee, comprised of members of WOMENS WAY’s Board of Directors and community representatives conducts an intensive analysis of the proposals and makes funding recommendations for the Board.
Since its Spring 2006 inception, the Fund has awarded 120 grants, totaling $1,305,421.
Spring 2010 Community Women’s Fund Grantees
The following organizations received grants from our Community Women’s Fund during the Spring 2010 cycle. Though many agencies received funding to support a particular project, several received general operating support to continue to fulfill their overall missions.
Alice Paul Institute - $9,000
http://www.alicepaul.org/
The Alice Paul Institute (API) works to educate the public about the life and work of Alice Stokes Paul (1885-1977), New Jersey’s most famous suffragist, author of the Equal Rights Amendment, founder of the National Women’s Party and a lifelong activist for women’s equality. API also honors Alice’s legacy by preserving historic Paulsdale, birthplace of Alice Paul; developing future leaders; and achieving women’s equality. API will use this grant to support their leadership programs for girls that include: Girlblazers summer leadership camp for 5th grade girls and the Lead-A-Way workshop series for middle school girls.
The Center Foundation - $10,000
http://www.thecenterfoundation.org/
The Center Foundation (TCF) empowers people to be all they want to be, and builds caring communities through mentoring, education, and support. Among TCF’s services are the WomenCare which connects women in transition into structured and supported mentoring relationships with women volunteers who are experienced in life and work; and the Young Parents Support Network which links adult mentors to teen parents to empower them to realize their potential and become more self-sufficient.
Delaware County Women Against Rape - $15,000
Phone: 610-566-4342
Founded in 1974, Delaware County Women Against Rape (DCWAR) provides comprehensive direct services to victims of rape and other sexual assaults in Delaware County, and to significant others. DCWAR also seeks to increase awareness of the problem of sexual violence and to provide for more compassionate treatment of victims in the relevant systems, as well as trainings for professionals in related disciplines. This grant will support the Crime Victims Law Project, a collaborative venture with victim service agencies in Bucks, Montgomery, and Chester counties. Staff attorneys provide free legal services to victims of sexual assault, dating violence, and stalking within the service area.
Domestic Abuse Project of Delaware County - $10,000
http://www.dapdc.org/
The Domestic Abuse Project of Delaware County (DAP) seeks to prevent domestic violence and is committed to providing services that meet the needs of victims. Free, confidential services include: 24-hour hotline, options counseling, advocacy, assistance in gaining protection from abuse orders, legal representation, court accompaniment, emergency shelter, transitional housing, support groups and community education. DAP received this grant to install security upgrades at their main services site to enhance the safety of clients and staff.
Girls Rock Philly - $4,500
http://www.girlsrockphilly.org/
Girls Rock Philly is an independently operating branch of a rapidly expanding effort to bring rock n’ roll camps for girls all over the United States, Canada and the world! Their mission is to provide girls from the greater Philadelphia region with a positive all-female musical environment. Their overall goals include: musical development, self-esteem enhancement, friendship and community building, and nurturing individual talents within a cooperative atmosphere. The signature week-long, girls-only camp is in its 3rd year, serving campers aged 10-18 years. Girls receive musical instruction, form bands and end their week with a finale concert open to the public, this year held August 8, 2009 at Girard College.
Nationalities Service Center - $15,000
http://www.nscphila.org/
Nationalities Service Center (NSC) provides social, educational, senior, translation and interpretation, and legal services to approximately 4,000 immigrants and refugees from over 90 countries each year in the Greater Philadelphia area. NSC aims to help clients participate fully in American life through protecting legal rights, strengthening families and promoting self-sufficiency, eliminating barriers caused by language and cultural differences, and promoting public awareness of the benefits of diversity in American society. This grant will provide support services to women and children who have been victims of severe torture and trauma, or who are family members of torture victims.
New Directions for Women - $11,500
http://www.ndfwinc.org/
Located in the Germantown section of Philadelphia, New Directions for Women provides residential services as an alternative to incarceration for female offenders from Philadelphia County prisons who are eligible for early release. Giving residents a home-like atmosphere, this 25-bed licensed facility’s programs promote self-sufficiency, empowerment, and a crime-free lifestyle. Intensive case management, self-esteem building courses, adult basic education and GED assistance, job search training, housing assistance, parenting skills, and aftercare assistance are just some of the services clients receive.
Planned Parenthood Southeastern Pennsylvania - $10,000
http://www.plannedparenthood.org/ppsp/
Planned Parenthood Southeastern Pennsylvania (PPSP) believes that every child should be a wanted child. Then women and men can achieve the self-determination that makes families and societies strong. Therefore, it is PPSP’s mission to protect and enhance reproductive freedom, to increase access to reproductive health services and information, and promote sexual health. PPSP will use this grant to support Latinas Unidas, a unique program that teaches teen girls and their mothers in the Kennett Square area about sexuality in a way that is effective and respectful of their Latina culture.
SeniorLAW Center - $12,000
http://www.seniorlawcenter.org/
The SeniorLAW Center provides a wide range of services to protect the legal rights and interests of the elderly including information and referral, direct legal services and representation, community-based neighborhood legal services, professional training, advocacy for long-term systemic solutions, and community outreach and education. A diverse staff of lawyers and advocates provide outreach and services to the entire state of Pennsylvania, which has the third highest percentage of people over 60 in the United States and the fifth largest population of older Americans. This grant will support advocacy and services for older female homeowners facing foreclosure and other related issues that threaten their independence.
Why Not Prosper - $11,500
http://www.whynotprosper.org/
Why Not Prosper’s mission is to help female ex-offenders discover their own strength by providing them with the support and resources that will empower them to become responsible, economically self-sufficiency and contributing members of the community. Why Not Prosper accomplishes its mission by helping women to upgrade their job skills and find employment, obtain decent housing, stay away from alcohol and illegal drugs, reunite with their children and avoid domestic abuse. Staff of Why Not Prosper advocate for women in the penal system and work to decrease recidivism and improve the quality of life for women ex-offenders and their children though pre-release mentoring and post-release services, including transitional housing and comprehensive case management.
Women’s Law Project - $8,000
http://www.womenslawproject.org/
The Women’s Law Project (WLP) is a public interest law center that has fought for legal and economic equality for women and their families since 1974. WLP has challenged sex discrimination in employment, education, athletics and insurance; advanced the rights of lesbian and gay parents; advocated on behalf of impoverished women; worked for fair and accessible procedures in child custody, child support and protection from abuse actions and championed the rights of sexual assault survivors. Women’s Law Project takes pride in being both a unique resource for Pennsylvania women and a national leader in the field of women’s rights.
Women’s Medical Fund - $20,000
http://www.womensmedicalfund.org/
The Women's Medical Fund (WMF) provides direct financial assistance and other support to low-income women and girls in Southeastern Pennsylvania who wish to terminate an unwanted pregnancy but cannot afford a safe legal abortion. Additionally, WMF educates health care professionals about the use of Medicaid to fund abortion, and raises public awareness of the devastating impact of denying access to safe, legal abortions. As WMF states on their homepage, “Without access to safe, legal abortion, ‘choice’ is meaningless.”
Fall 2009 Community Women’s Fund Grantees
The following organizations received grants from our Community Women’s Fund during the Fall 2009 cycle. Though many agencies received funding to support a particular project, several received general operating support to continue to fulfill their overall missions.
The Career Wardrobe - $10,000
http://www.careerwardrobe.org
The Career Wardrobe (TCW) is the nation’s largest community-based nonprofit organization dedicated to assisting women in their transition to work by providing professional attire, networking and career skills training. Started by a group of Philadelphia volunteers in 1995, TCW has assisted over 50,000 women to date. This grant will support the organization’s newest venture – The Wardrobe Boutique, an upscale recycled clothing store with proceeds benefiting The Career Wardrobe.
Endow-A-Home - $5,000
Since 1989, Endow-A-Home has provided affordable homes and support services to formerly homeless women and their children. Through an intensive and long term case management approach, head-of-household homeless women are linked to recovery programs, government benefits, legal assistance, employment, educational resources and other services to help them achieve self-sufficiency. In an effort to end the intergenerational cycle of poverty and homelessness, children and teens are provided with activities and support systems to help them resist risky behaviors and stay in school.
Home of the Sparrow - $13,000
http://www.homeofthesparrow.org
Home of the Sparrow (HOS) works to provide housing and supportive services to homeless and low-income women who want to improve their lives and become self-sufficient. HOS was founded in 1994 by a group of concerned citizens dedicated to improving the lives of homeless women and children. This grant will support their case management and life skills education program to help women overcome obstacles to maintaining safe, stable housing and achieving self-sufficiency.
La Comunidad Hispana - $8,000
http://www.lacomunidadhispana.org
La Comunidad Hispana seeks to improve the quality of life, health and well being of low-income Hispanics and other under-served people in Chester County through advocacy and bilingual programs in healthcare, education, and social services. This funding will support GUAPAS (Girls United Achieving Professional Aspirations and Successes) empowerment program for adolescent Latinas. GUAPAS provides culturally competent guidance in goal-setting and planning for post-high school opportunities by addressing the critical areas of young women’s development: boosting self-esteem and self-image; building peer, family and community support networks; participating in service learning projects and learning about healthy lifestyles.
Living Beyond Breast Cancer - $15,000
http://www.lbbc.org
Founded in 1991 by a radiation oncologist, Living Beyond Breast Cancer (LBBC) works to empower all women affected by breast cancer to live as long as possible with the best quality of life. LBBC offers specialized programs and services for the newly diagnosed, young women, women with advanced breast cancer, women at high risk for developing the disease and African-American and Latina women. Also included are programs for caregivers and healthcare professionals to help them better meet the needs of women affected by breast cancer. LBBC will use this funding for the Cis B. Golder Quality of Life Grant Program to provide grants of up to $1,000 to low-income women affected by breast cancer to help with immediate financial needs such as transportation, groceries, utilities, wigs and prosthetics and complementary therapies.
Maternity Care Coalition - $15,000
http://www.momobile.org
Since 1980 Maternity Care Coalition (MCC) has been bringing together people who care about the health and well-being of pregnant women, infants and young children, and high risk families. MCC offers a variety of programs including its signature MOMobile, helping low-income families get vital support and services in their own communities. Additionally, MCC has long advocated for increased services for women and infants to health and welfare agencies and legislative bodies. A grant to MCC will support their MOMobile program for incarcerated women at Riverside Correctional Facility who are pregnant or mothers of young children.
Mid County Senior Services - $7,000
http://www.mainlinehealth.org/mcss
At Mid County Senior Services, women and men aged 60+ find opportunities and services that help them stay healthy and enjoy life. Families caring for an older relative find support, information and respite. MCSS programs include: Senior Community Centers offering classes, volunteer opportunities and resources; Adult Day Services providing a warm and secure environment for older adults who need care during the day due to physical or cognitive impairments; and Chore Connection linking community volunteers to low-income older adults who need help to stay in their homes and transportation to and from medical appointments. MCSS will use this grant to support the Chore Connection program.
National Nursing Centers Consortium: Philadelphia Nurse-Family Partnership - $15,000
http://www.nursefamilypartnership.org
Nurse-Family Partnership (NFP) is an evidence-based nurse home visitation program that improves the health, well-being and self-sufficiency of low-income, first-time parents and their children. Very low-income women in their first or second trimester who reside in Philadelphia may enroll in the program. Topics covered include drug and smoking cessation, accessing mental and dental health services, nutritional counseling, understanding reproductive health, the importance of breastfeeding, identifying personal goals and increasing self-esteem, among other important issues. NFP will use this grant to support the Opening Doors Housing Program providing life skills training to their clients so they may achieve and maintain safe, affordable housing.
Summer Search Philadelphia - $4,000
http://www.summersearch.org/about/offices/philadelphia/
Summer Search is a national leadership development program that helps low-income young people graduate high school, go to college, gain successful careers and give back to society. The organization has a 4-pronged approach that supports students and holds them accountable. Leadership programs include: weekly mentoring sessions with highly trained staff mentors, two summer experiential education programs, college advisory services and alumni support throughout college and beyond. Funding from WOMEN’S WAY will support low-income female high school students in the region participating in Summer Search programs.
Supporting and Inspiring Sisters To Achieve (S.I.S.T.A.) - $4,000
http://www.sistaprogram.org/
SISTA provides adolescent girls from depressed socio-economic, disadvantaged and traditionally overlooked neighborhoods the educational, social and emotional support to make positive choices for themselves, their families and communities to succeed in higher education, careers and healthy relationships. Participating girls, ages 11-15, gather formally twice a month to work with assigned mentors on topics such as relationships, conflict resolution, etiquette, health and wellness, public speaking and education. Girls are also exposed to a wide variety of career paths. Interactive workshops, educational field trips, guest speakers and presentations solidify the work each girl accomplishes with her mentor.
Wings for Success - $5,000
http://www.wingsforsuccess.org/
Wings for Success is a tight-knit community of compassionate women who volunteer their time, skills and love to bring lasting confidence to women facing the challenge of securing sustainable income. Wings provides work appropriate clothing through a fun and nurturing experience that not only prepares each woman for her interview and workplace but also gives her hope and confidence in her future. Serving southeastern Pennsylvania, Wings has helped more than 5000 women tackle this often overlooked barrier to becoming self sufficient.
Women’s Therapy Center - $9,000
http://www.womenstherapycenter.org/
The Women’s Therapy Center (WTC) is a private, non-profit psychotherapy center providing therapeutic services to adult women. Their goal is to empower women to live their best, healthiest and most powerful lives. WTC provides services from a feminist perspective, ensuring that women find the therapist and services that best meet their needs. Services include: individual psychotherapy, group psychotherapy, couples therapy (both heterosexual and lesbian), workshops and trainings, educational seminars and trainings for professionals, consultations to professional and potential clients, clinical supervision and practicum placements sites.
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