A simple three-digit phone number can make all the difference for a person looking for food, rental assistance, senior activities or a parenting class. United Way funding supports 2-1-1, which helps connect us all to vital community resources.
Women's Leadership Council 2010-11 Funded Programs
The Women’s Leadership Council chose to award $17,087 in grant funding to two new programs that promote self-sufficiency for women in Thurston County . With a focus on funding programs for underserved populations and innovative grassroots organizations, the WLC awarded $8,990 to The Sewing Project, a program of CIELO project and $8,097 to MIJAS, a program operating in partnership with SafePlace.
CIELO’s The Sewing Project will instruct Spanish speaking women in pattern-making, basic sewing and alteration techniques, providing skills that help them become self-sufficient. Five women will participate in each of four sessions with three-hour classes held at the CIELO Project / Radio Ranch. Once the women have completed the basic course, they will join the Sewing Cooperative and apply the skills they’ve learned. In other parts of the country with large Hispanic concentrations, this business is called Taller de Costura (workshop of dressmaking) and addresses a need for women to contribute to the household income while working from home and caring for children. Many of the ready-made clothing styles available in the U.S. do not fit many Latinos, who often must have their clothing altered due to their short stature. Grant funds will provide sewing tools, pattern making materials and help pay for a project coordinator and a Spanish speaking instructor.
MIJAS is a women’s transitional restaurant that empowers Latina survivors of domestic violence through job training and education towards becoming self-sufficient members of the community. MIJAS serves traditional Latin American cuisine at their monthly restaurant, caters special events and teaches cooking classes. Women participating gain skills and experience working in the food service industry while earning a stipend. While many organizations in our community work with women in domestic violence situations, MIJAS will specifically assist Latina survivors on their track to self-sufficiency and provide post-crisis training and education. The program was founded by seven women and will serve a total of fifty women in its first year. Grant funds will provide training seminars, rental of a kitchen space and help the organization to become established as a 501c3 non-profit organization.
The WLC will hold their quarterly membership meeting, which is open to the public, Thursday, August 12, from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. at Ramblin’ Jacks restaurant, 520 4th Ave E in Olympia . Please RSVP to Ami Forsberg at 360. 943.2773 x 13 or aforsberg@unitedway-thurston.org by August 10.
For more information about WLC grants, contact Stephanie Blumhagen, Grants and Financial Stability Manager at 360.943.2773 x 11 or sblumhagen@unitedway-thurston.org.
