Help 80 Women Find Jobs & Financial Independence

2020-21 Summary

The Women’s Employment Network (WEN) is grateful to all our supporters who contributed via GlobalGiving for being there for women during one of the most challenging times in recent history. As women navigated the difficult road back to employment while juggling multiple family responsibilities, you were a beacon of hope. We want to provide you a summary of the difference your gift made in the lives of women during this turbulent time.

WEN Signature Programming

Virtual programming replaced face-to-face classes with extraordinary results. Staff was able to pivot to program delivery through virtual workshops and one-on-one support. They modified processes to ensure a seamless transition. Another notable achievement was the ability to support women as they needed help making decisions about work schedules, child care, and other important considerations during the pandemic. With the number of women working in service jobs, the hardest hit sector, case management and one-on-one support was crucial to finding financial stability.

The following outcome results demonstrate the importance of your gift to WEN clients.

• Outcome 1: We served 1040 clients through our signature programming, including workshops and individualized services.
• Outcome 2: Increased the financial stability and security of our clients by providing one-on-one Financial Coaching to 189 clients using the FOC model.
• Outcome 3: Made 426 referrals with 106 jobs reported in with a full-time hourly wage averaging $16.36.

WEN received referrals from multiple community organizations, including homeless shelters, domestic violence organizations, and social service nonprofits. While our partnerships are numerous, a sample of partners include : City Union Mission, The Whole Person, Empower Missouri, State of Kansas, Jewish Vocational Services, Catholic Charities of Greater Kansas City, Community Health Council of Wyandotte, Convoy of Hope, Johnson County Department of Corrections, Johnson County Library, Metropolitan Community College, The Grooming Project, Workforce Partnership, Family & Child Development Center, Rosebrooks, Jackson County CASA, Jewish Family Services, Kansas City Center for Inclusion, Kansas City Rescue Mission, MOCSA, The Family Conservancy, The Single Mom KC, Salvation Army, Operation Breakthrough, reStart, Synergy Services, and many more. 

 Here is how one client describes her WEN experience:

“I was working in the hospitality industry and immediately experienced the impact of the pandemic; I was furloughed at the end of March. I was concerned about how I was going to make ends meet and my next steps during this time of uncertainty.  A co-worker and WEN graduate encouraged me to connect with WEN for support.

Not sure what to expect, I decided to join WEN's virtual workshop "Silencing Your Inner Critic" presented by WEN's case manager. At the end of the workshop, the attendees were invited to participate in job search, financial coaching, or support creating a plan for managing during the pandemic. I reached out to Kim and received resource information for rent, utilities, and food. I talked with each staff member about my needs and goals and each recommended workshop that helped me find my footing. I had weekly phone conversations to make sure I stayed on track and on task, which made me feel connected.

I updated my resume, participated in mock interviews and followed up on the job leads received from WEN. Even though I got discouraged by not getting a job offer, I knew I would be supported and motivated by the WEN team to keep on task because something would come through. Fortunately, I was able to return to work.

WEN's support helped me focus on what I did have, what I could do, and kept me looking forward and open to the possibilities of what might be ahead.  I am grateful to be back at work and know that I am always connected to WEN.”

Sheila-

The Covid-19 pandemic began changing the way we work almost a year and a half ago. Since then, the Women's Employment Network has had a front-row seat to the employment and financial challenges women have faced. Now, vaccinations are more available and public health and government recommendations are responding with more changes for the way we work.

A quick look at the news will show you a flood of reporting on the economy, jobs, and household finance. WEN's mission of helping women achieve economic self-sufficiency through sustained employment is greatly affected by all of this change. We wanted to share our perspective as we look at a new wave of challenges for the women we serve. 

Many women are ready to look for jobs, and more employers are eager to fill open positions. May's jobs report shows a stronger employment recovery than many economists predicted, but you've also probably seen reports of a "worker shortage" affecting businesses looking to fill open positions, which some attribute to unemployment benefits. From our vantage point, the picture is a little more complicated. Some of our clients aren't quite ready to look for employment even if their jobless benefits end because they simply don't have the support structure in place to safely return to full-time work.

Challenge 1: Health & Safety

Vaccinations are a key to evening out worker supply and employer demands. Women may be unable to return to work that exposes them to Covid-19 because they or a household member may be among the millions of immunocompromised Americans who cannot receive the vaccine or for whom it will be less effective. 43% of Missourians and 48% of Kansans have received at least one dose of the Covid-19 vaccine, but children under the age of 12 are still ineligible to receive this protection.

Challenge 2: Vaccine Logistics

Women are more likely to work in the retail, service, and hospitality sectors which often don't include paid time off to go get the vaccine, or for any time they may need to take off for side effects they might experience after getting the shot.

Challenge 3: Child Care

WEN observes many of our clients cannot make a plan to find jobs until they have a reliable plan for child care and know what the 2021-22 school year will look like for their families.

Challenge 4: Transportation 

The reduced capacity of public transportation means some women lack access to transportation to and from work they once had.

Challenge 5: Mismatched Supply & Demand

The supply of women looking for employment isn't a perfect match for the demand right now, just like businesses of all kinds have struggled with supply chain issues during this time of rapid change. Ask anyone who's turned a faucet back on after shutting off the water main supply. You might encounter no water, followed by an explosive spray of high-pressure water before it evens back out to a normal flow.

WEN is ready.

Since these challenges aren’t going anywhere; neither are we. Over the past 35 years, our throughline through all the change has been our ability to meet a woman where she is, help her establish where she wants to go, and then support and guide her in that process. 

Are you ready?

Now, in 2021, we're launching a new GlobalGiving project to lift up and highlight WEN's network of support, 35 years strong and more resilient to change than ever. Look on our organization profile for our 2019-2020 Annual Report to be published soon, and watch for our upcoming NEW GlobalGiving project. This benchmark year of giving is our moment to show you that your support matters to us and to the women we serve.