Women's Empowerment educates and empowers women who are homeless with the skills and confidence necessary to get a job, create a healthy lifestyle, and regain a home for themselves and their children.
My Story: a journey from homelessness to self-reliance
When she saw a homeless person on the streets, Christine used to wonder, “How do people end up like that?”
Then it happened to her.
She wasn’t alone. In fact, 56% of our newest clients are homeless for the first time due to the economy. Demand for Women’s Empowerment’s program continues to expand.
We have always been fortunate to have the support of caring community members like you to help women like Christine get back on their feet. In these difficult times, we depend on our community even more. If you have a little extra to spare, we could use your help. Any amount will help open doors for a newly homeless woman and her children.
Christine is a determined, kind, and hardworking mother of two teenage children. The blond-haired, blue-eyed woman looks like the mom next door. She “worked overtime with jobs on top of jobs” to make ends meet. Without a high school diploma, her options were limited, but that never stopped her. She worked hourly at a local health food store, running a small business on the side to supplement her income.
News
Your Help Enables Family to Improve Health
In the last few weeks alone, one mother and her child made significant improvements with your help. Amy came to us with her 4-year-old daughter, Ellie. Ellie had been diagnosed with cerebral palsy, and had received only basic medical care. However, she had not received any assessment or treatment for the emotional, social, and behavioral issues that often stem from a mild physical disability. With the help of her social worker, Amy and Ellie are now scheduled to receive mental health services, and Ellie will be assessed by the school system before she enters kindergarten.
HOMELESS WOMEN TO RECEIVE FREE HEALTH CARE
Women’s Empowerment and Hart Medical Services launch pilot program to provide free basic health care to homeless women
Homeless women will receive a precious gift this holiday season: free health care. In an unprecedented new program being launched, local nonprofit Women’s Empowerment has teamed up with local physician Karen Hart of Hart Medical Services to address a major gap in services to homeless and formerly homeless women.
Handbags Earn Youth Award for Giving Back
Haley Anthonisen, a local college student passionate about helping her community, recently earned the Youth in Philanthropy Award from the Association of Fundraising Professionals. The honor was based on her years of commitment to giving back—which all culminated in a handbag.
Haley first approached our organization in 2005. She had started a business, Haley Corina Handbags. Using recycled men’s neckties, Haley put her sewing talent to work crafting beautiful, silk purses. From the start, Haley set a goal that a portion of each bag sold would benefit Women’s Empowerment.
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Watch our newest video, created by Jesus Lopez, a student intern. He created this video on homelessness as part of a school project, using his work with Women's Empowerment as the backdrop.
What does it take to win the Youth in Philanthropy Award? Be inspired! Check out the local story in The Land Park News, page 22.
Women's Empowerment partnered with Frumoasa Salon to help homeless women prepare for jobs with fresh makeovers.