The Need is Great … the Rewards … even Greater!

A message from Susan Stead, President – WWIN Board of Directors

As we embark on 2011, we are experiencing a continued economic downfall. Many women in Washington struggle with how to make ends meet, how to land a job to support their families and how to regain the self-confidence needed to make them better workers, moms, wives and community members.

Consider this: the U.S. Census Bureau released new numbers showing that the recession has raised the national poverty rate to a 15-year high. According to the Census Bureau, 4 million additional Americans were living in poverty last year, bringing the national total to 44 million. That means that one in seven Americans is poor. And the poverty rate for women was four points higher than that of men.

Last month we had more than 200 women apply for the PDVH (physical, dental, vision and hearing) grant, and unfortunately, we had to turn many away, which is always heart breaking to me. My hope and vision is that we will be able to serve even more people than we did last year. If we each do our part, this can become a reality. Here are a few simple steps that you can make this year to help us.

• Join me in hosting a table at our annual spring luncheons – in Seattle and Bellevue.
• Check with your company on corporate matching programs and see if they will match your donation to WWIN or suggest that they become a corporate partner at the luncheons.
• Set aside a few hours a week to volunteer in our offices – you will have the opportunity to not only help out, but to also experience the rhythm of WWIN in action.
• Consider setting up a Planned Giving fund, benefitting WWIN
• Designate your United Way gift to go to WWIN.
• Spread the word about WWIN to your friends and family – it’s as simple as a conversation or even just adding the WWIN logo to your email signature.
• Volunteer your talents or services to WWIN – whether you are a graphic designer, an accountant, a caterer, or an amazing organizer, we can use you at WWIN.

I know that the recovery from the recession has been slower than most of us would like and has impacted most people in some fashion. But, there is hope in knowing that for each woman who receives a grant from WWIN it can change her life forever – whether that’s freeing her from her pain, regaining her smile, or rejoining the world. We are at the forefront of making a huge impact on the state of Washington, and I hope that you’ll be able to join me as we move ahead to empower women, achieve wellness, and create brighter futures.