As evidenced by our YWCA logo and, we hope, by our work in the community, your local YW is committed to helping empower women. That certainly sounds good and noble. But it’s fair to ask what, exactly, does that mean? How about a good example? Glad you asked.
We are always looking for new ways to fulfill our mission. We are now quite happy to be involved with, for the first time, in a program called Pennsylvania Women Work, a nonprofit workforce development organization dedicated to helping individuals find financial stability. The organization was begun in the late 1970s as the Displaced Homemakers Network when Laurie Shields, a 55-year-old widow, and Tish Summers, a 57-year-old divorcee, both from the Pittsburgh area, found it difficult to re-enter the workplace after prioritizing their life toward raising their young children.
Things have changed quite a bit in the last 40 years or so, but challenges remain for today’s women who may find themselves in similar circumstances. Single mothers, for instance, may not have ever considered themselves homemakers primarily but are often secondary wage earners, too young for Social Security and not “poor enough” for welfare. Plus, the same lack of experience in researching, pursuing, and interviewing for a job is not unlike what the 1970s-era displaced homemaker would have encountered. Factor in a job landscape shaped by a pandemic and the task is made even more difficult.
The program we are offering, in conjunction with Pennsylvania Women Work, is called New Choices. It’s free. And while the program was founded for women, by women, it is available to men as well.
In five virtual (online) sessions, beginning Wednesday, June 2, and continuing through the month, attendees will learn, be reminded of, or gain confidence in everything from resume preparation to creating a personality and career-assessment interest plan. Techniques for managing stress during the job-seeking process are shared, and one-on-one guidance is even available. The sessions are designed to be friendly and helpful, no-stress, and affirming. In short, just what you might need to get started, motivated, maybe even a little bit excited to get into the workforce, armed with a plan for success.
Registering for the program is very easy. Just look up our website, ywcagettysburg.org and choose Pennsylvania Women Work, which you’ll find under the Advocacy menu. There you’ll find all the details, simply explained, along with the registration directions – guaranteed only to take a few minutes. Then, beginning June 2, log in and begin to move ahead.
If you’ve got questions or would just prefer to register over the phone, l can help with that. Give us a call at 717-334-9171 and ask for me, Dotty, at extension 124.
Dotty Dalphon is executive director of YWCA Gettysburg and Adams County. In addition to the phone number, she may be reached a ddalphon@ywcagettysburg.org.
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