Current Projects
The Women’s Independence Project
Our latest Community Project Collaboration is The Women’s Independence Project. We are partnering with Hope House Inc. and the Fort Wayne Women’s Bureau’s Transitions Program. Both organizations offer intensive residential treatment for women recovering from addiction.
- The anticipated community impacts of the collaboration include:
- Increasing employment opportunities and self-sufficiency rates for approximately 90 previously homeless, addicted women participating in the Hope House and Transitions programs annually.
- Breaking the intergenerational cycle of addiction and homelessness for program participants and their children. Children of addicted parents are at the greatest risk of repeating their parent’s life choices.
- Developing the potential of women in these programs by teaching them life and employment skills otherwise unavailable to them.
- The goals of the project are:
- Researching, developing and facilitating employment skills workshops for the residents of Hope House and Transitions.
- Developing a database of employers willing to employ residents of Hope House and Transitions.
- Developing and potentially piloting a mentoring program for Hope House residents who have the greatest need for development of their self-esteem.
If time allows in Year 3 of the project, assisting Hope House with research and evaluation of a potential social enterprise, or small business for their organization, to provide income for Hope House as well as training and job opportunities for the women of Hope House.
Hope House and Transitions will educate JLFW volunteers about issues associated with addiction and homelessness to equip volunteers to interact with and facilitate classes for chemically dependent women while increasing our understanding of these societal issues.
JLFW is very excited to hit the ground running with this new and exciting project!
Kids and Divorce Classes
JLFW is wrapping up a three-year partnership with Family Connections, a division of SCAN (Stop Child Abuse and Neglect) in May 2008. The purpose of the project was to expand Family Connections’ class offerings and provide classes for children coping with divorce or family conflict.
The “Kids and Divorce” classes are designed to give children tools to help them cope with the changes that come when parents divorce. They learn about their feelings and how to express them appropriately. They learn that they are not alone in this situation and they are not to blame for their parent’s divorce. They also learn that change is a normal part of life. Through activities and discussions they graduate from the class with essential tools for coping with their parent’s divorce.
- JLFW volunteer roles included:
- Researching and recommending curricula
- Facilitating classes for children of divorce
- Assisting SCAN in marketing the class to the community, including developing a brochure
- Coordinating the volunteer facilitators for the classes
While Junior League’s daily involvement in the program has ended, the program continues to grow through SCAN.
If you are interested in volunteering to facilitate Kids and Divorce Classes or know of children who would benefit from participating in the classes, please contact Tonya Sheets, the Family Coordinator for Family Connections, at 260-426-9999.