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FOR A GOOD CAUSE
Project Phoenix Eileen Collins, WISE and Admin-On-Call, LLC, and Randi Bregman, Vera House
Can you give me the background on Project Phoenix? How and why did WISE start the program?
The program was started by the Southside Innovation Center in partnership with Vera House and WISE. The program was started because there was a recognition of the power of entrepreneurship for domestic violence survivors. At the time, there was funding from the Verizon Foundation available for this type of project, and that is how the program was launched. Can you describe your partnership with Vera House?
When the grant funding was eliminated, Vera House had a commitment to continue as much of the programming as possible. Through additional grants and private funding, Vera House has maintained core elements of the program in partnership with WISE and SSIC. How long have you offered this program?
We have offered this program since early 2012. Tell me about what the program does.
The goal of Project Phoenix is to: “empower survivors of domestic violence toward financial independence, through entrepreneurship and business ownership.” Project Phoenix provides a lifeline of hope to female survivors of domestic violence. Since its humble beginnings in January 2012, Project Phoenix has reached upwards of 50 female survivors of domestic violence, twelve of whom have successfully created viable business plans. Project Phoenix clients participated in over 75 hours of business development classes as well as one-on-one business counseling meetings aimed at the development of sustainable business plans. Project Phoenix clients attended networking events, women’s conferences and workshops, while working closely with a domestic violence expert/advocate to safety plan and address the emotional and physical roadblocks domestic violence puts in the way of their success. Each component of the Project Phoenix team provided the participants with a safe environment for them to learn, plan and reclaim their stolen dreams. The successful collaboration of Vera House, WISE Women’s Business Center and the South Side Innovation Center resulted in a viable project that continues to impact and change the lives of the participants of Project Phoenix, their families and the community. Project Phoenix offers a 12-week Executive Coaching program to its clients through Up Level Leadership, LLC, hosted by Molly Duteau, which enables our clients to have one-on-one coaching to help them take their business ideas to the next level. This program is designed to work with determined women who are committed in developing their best selves, to make real impact by adopting new ways of thinking and lead like never before. How does this help women escaping a domestic violence situation?
Through the positive impact of Project Phoenix, the participants have gained financial independence and a personal sense of accomplishment. The result is a belief in themselves and the
knowledge they were encouraged and supported by Project Phoenix while they built a legacy to be proud of. Their own testimonials tell the story of how Project Phoenix has played an important role in their ability to move forward in life and how an intimate project of this nature affects positive change in the lives of those who need it most yet are often forgotten. How can they sign up to participate?
Project Phoenix receives its core referrals through Vera House directly. Clients must be vetted and not in “crisis” mode before they are referred to the program. Who are the mentors and advocates?
Project Phoenix utilizes the alumni clients who have already been through the program and are now fully operational in their business and looking for an opportunity to pay it forward and help another sister reach the next level. As mentors, our own experiences allows the new clients to see the end results of being a participant in Project Phoenix, “live and in living color,” which puts a face on Project Phoenix’s vision and mission. Jolie Moran, MSW, Director of Advocacy, oversees a team of advocates who offer a wide range of services for domestic violence survivors and works in close partnership with Project Phoenix. How does entrepreneurship empower women?
Entrepreneurship allows the women to believe that they can accomplish what they set their mind to do. It encourages us to know that we don’t have to settle for less than the best and that with the right tools and resources we are able to stand up and be counted and acknowledged for the value we add to our communities. Can you give me some examples of successful businesses Project Phoenix has helped to launch?
Admin-On-Call, LLC is one example of a successful business whose journey took them on a collision course with Project Phoenix. After the dust settled, Admin-On-Call, LLC arose from the concrete encouraged and empowered to move forward on its pursuit for entrepreneurship. Project Phoenix,in conjunction with Verizon, held a business plan competition and we were awarded a $5,000 business scholarship that provided the capital to open shop with inventory and equipment. Is there anything I didn’t ask that you think people should know?
Project Phoenix is an awesome program that encourages, restores, uplifts and helps to create a strong and positive foundation for our clients looking to move forward despite the obstacles and life events created to deter them. SWM
Contact PROJECT PHOENIX at the WISE Women’s Business Center, AXA Tower I, 100 Madison St., Syracuse, N.Y. 13202, (315) 443-8634, or email: wisenewclient@syr.edu for more information.
April 2020
Women in Business Edition
