WOMEN’S FOUNDATION ENCOURAGES COMMUNITY SUPPORT

KAYLEE DUDA

When you hear the word “poverty,” you might picture something that exists somewhere other than your area. However, poverty a ects a lot of people in New York and throughout America, especially women and girls.

e minimum income required for a family to cover basic expenses (food, housing, transportation, health care, and childcare) is much higher than the federal poverty line, and it’s also higher than what an individual working full-time at minimum wage makes. Salaries of half of all women-headed households are insu cient to cover basic necessities.

Young women miss opportunities others take advantage of every day due to poverty, because they’re underestimated or not given the chance to prove themselves.

So what can be done to address this problem and provide women with such chances? e Women’s Foundation of Genesee Valley has the start of a solution. Established in 1994, their mission is to “promote economic self-su ciency for women and girls through grant-making, education, and advocacy.” women encouraging women to follow aspirations or persevere through challenging times encourages readers. Women have an incredible in uence on this planet. e Women’s Foundation currently assists more than 1,400 women and girls annually. In addition, its inception, the Foundation has given more than 280 grants to over 100 groups that directly help women and girls overcome poverty-related obstacles. Some organizations they commonly donate to include the Veterans Outreach Center, ProsperRochester, Inc., Rochester Regional Health, and Project Independence at Health Moms. Some organizations are selected through the Women’s Foundation’s grant-making committees where girls and women from our community collaborate to determine where the grant will be most advantageous while learning more about and caring for the city. e Women’s Foundation also runs multiple initiatives, one of which is the Girl’s Initiative, deepening teenage girls’ learning opportunities and enhancing their social-emotional development. is program now operates in three countries, with over 500 girls, who hear from strong women who have overcome a variety of hurdles through its programs.

One story that pulls at the heart is that of a mother-inlaw honoring her daughter-inlaw, who at only 33 years old is a breast cancer survivor. e mother-in-law says, “She is my hero and I am there for her every day.” Every day, this foundation reminds us how important essential people in our lives are. It also inspires people to give back to the community and improve the lives of others.

While supporting women in their endeavors against poverty, donatingtolocalorganizations,ando eringlearningopportunitiesto teenage girls, the Women’s Foundation also publishes comprehensive studies on the economic status of women in the Rochester region, using data from past U.S. Censuses to explore income adequacy.

Studies show the proportion of children living in poverty exceeds double digits in each of the seven counties the Women’s Foundation serves, with Rochester having one of the highest child poverty rates in the country at 47%. is fact alone encourages support for the cause and work to reduce our child poverty rates. Even more troubling is data that the median income for women-led families in all counties is lower than that of male heads of households and married couples.

In addition to defending against the threat of poverty, which denieswomenaccesstoopportunities,thisfoundationo ersatribute page that encourages women to submit their own tales recognizing a woman who positively impacted their lives. Reading the stories of e Women’s Foundation will hostaPurseforChangefundraising event in June, with more details to come. Interim Executive Director of the Women’s Foundation, Krystle Ellis, says, “ is event attracts hundreds of kindhearted supporters who are passionate about supporting women and girls.”

Women have struggled for equality for countless years, but we are still disproportionately behind and will remain so without the help of organizations such as the Women’s Foundation, whose e orts elevate women and ensure a better future for countless deserving people.

To register for the Women’s Foundation’s email list to receive news and updates, volunteer opportunities, and donation prospects, visit their website: womensfoundation.org.

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