WOMEN’S FUND GRANTS – 2020

In 2020, the Women’s Fund continued to award grants that empowered women in need with job seeking/job keeping skills, education, specialized training, women’s health support and inspired women to pursue a better future for themselves and their families.

Grace Centers of Hope – Women’s One Year Life Skills Program:  To assist women battling addiction, domestic abuse, and homelessness positively change their lives and become productive members of society.

Dutton Farm – Inclusive Workforce Development Program:  Lift women with disabilities out of poverty and into financial independence and stability.  Money will be used to develop a strong, clear and robust workforce development program complete with training curriculum, oversight, scheduling etc.

Faith Works – Provides free labor for home improvements to those in need.

Next Steps 4 Seniors – Bridges the financial gap for low-income seniors in need of proper housing and care.

Paint A Miracle –  An art studio uniquely designed to offer people living with disabilities the opportunity to explore the visual arts in an inspiring and innovative environment.  Grant will provide funding for low-income women with disabilities to participate in weekly art classes and foster their talents and promote community inclusion.

The Neighborhood House – The Helping Hand Food Pantry:  The Food Pantry provides food to local families and individuals with an emergency supply of food.  During the pandemic, the pantry was in need of food more than ever.

Career Dress – Motoring Women Through Unemployment:  Promotes the economic independence of low to moderate income women by providing professional attire to women who are actively seeking employment.  The program will provide gas cards or bus passes to women seeking employment or to those who have become newly employed.

Older Persons Commission (OPC) Act of Kindness:  Assist low income senior women with interior and exterior home repairs.

Assistance League of SE Michigan – Assault Survivor Kits:  A non-profit, all volunteer organization whose goal is to clothe, feed, educate and comfort children and adults through community-based projects received a grant to provide funding to purchase supplies such as clothes and hygiene items for the individual survivor kits.

Families Against Narcotics (FAN)– Hope Not Handcuffs:  Each day over 2,000 teens abuse a prescription drug for the first time.  Many try it for fun thinking they are safe, others are prescribed painkillers by doctors, often to treat sports-related injuries.  For some, that decision will change their lives forever….  An integral part of FAN’S mission is to remove the stigma associated with addiction through education and to inform the community of the growing problem of prescription painkiller abuse among all ages, and the increase use of heroin by young people.  The program will provide support to women in Oakland County that are looking to find viable treatment options, sober living, transportation or peer recovery coaching to maintain their sobriety.

Carol Kirken Memorial Affirmation Gift

WOMEN’S FUND GRANTS – 2019

In 2019, the Women’s Fund continued to award grants that empowered women in need with job seeking/job keeping skills, education, specialized training, women’s health support and inspired women to pursue a better future for themselves and their families.

Grace Centers of Hope – Women’s One Year Life Skills Program:  To assist women battling addiction, domestic abuse, and homelessness positively change their lives and become productive members of society.

Dutton Farm – Inclusive Workforce Development Program:  Lift women with disabilities out of poverty and into financial independence and stability.  Money will be used to develop a strong, clear and robust workforce development program complete with training curriculum, oversight, scheduling etc.

The Neighborhood House – Employment Readiness Initiative:  The Neighborhood House is a local non-profit organization helping more than 3,200 households annually in Rochester and the surrounding communities.  Two-thirds of their clients are women who are struggling to meet the needs of their families with limited income potential.  In an effort to help their clients become self-sufficient, Neighborhood House is continuing its Employment Readiness Initiative program. Partnering with Kelly Services, they have created a three-month program consisting of professionally facilitated classes in achieving job readiness, support acquiring work and extensive follow-up support for on the job success targeting 6 women per quarter. With the help of The Women’s Fund grant, their goal is to assist these women and their families move toward a successful financial future.

Career Dress – Motoring Women Through Unemployment:  Promotes the economic independence of low to moderate income women by providing professional attire to women who are actively seeking employment.  The program will provide gas cards or bus passes to women seeking employment or to those who have become newly employed.

Older Persons Commission (OPC) Act of Kindness:  Assist low income senior women with interior and exterior home repairs.

Assistance League of SE Michigan – Assault Survivor Kits:  A non-profit, all volunteer organization whose goal is to clothe, feed, educate and comfort children and adults through community-based projects received a grant to provide funding to purchase supplies such as clothes and hygiene items for the individual survivor kits.

Families Against Narcotics (FAN) –  Hope Not Handcuffs:  Each day over 2,000 teens abuse a prescription drug for the first time.  Many try it for fun thinking they are safe, others are prescribed painkillers by doctors, often to treat sports-related injuries.  For some, that decision will change their lives forever….  An integral part of FAN’S mission is to remove the stigma associated with addiction through education and to inform the community of the growing problem of prescription painkiller abuse among all ages, and the increase use of heroin by young people.  The program will provide support to women in Oakland County that are looking to find viable treatment options, sober living, transportation or peer recovery coaching to maintain their sobriety.

Carol Kirken Memorial Affirmation Gift

Dr. Gary Burnstein Community Health Clinic – Women’s Diabetic Care              To help women avoid the costly ramifications of the untreated, uncontrolled chronic disease

WOMEN’S FUND GRANTS – 2018

In 2018, the Women’s Fund continued to award grants that empowered women in need with job seeking/job keeping skills, education, specialized training, women’s health support and inspired women to pursue a better future for themselves and their families.

  • Career Dress – Promotes the economic independence of low to moderate income women by providing professional attire to women who are actively seeking employment.  The money will be used to support their program, “Motoring Women Through Unemployment”.  The program will provide gas cards or bus passes to women seeking employment or to those who have become newly employed.
  • The Rochester Area Neighborhood House – RANH is a local non-profit organization helping more than 3,200 households annually in Rochester and the surrounding communities.  Two-thirds of their clients are women who are struggling to meet the needs of their families with limited income potential.  In an effort to help their clients become self-sufficient, Neighborhood House is piloting a new program called “Employment Readiness Initiative”. Partnering with Kelly Services, they have created a three-month program consisting of professionally facilitated classes in achieving job readiness, support acquiring work and extensive follow-up support for on the job success targeting 6 women per quarter. With the help of The Women’s Fund  $20,000 grant, their goal is to assist these women and their families move toward a successful financial future.
  • Assistance League of Southeastern Michigan – A non-profit, all volunteer organization whose goal is to clothe, feed, educate and comfort children and adults through community-based projects received a grant to support their Assault Survivor Kits program. The grant provided funding to purchase supplies such as clothes and hygiene items for the individual survivor kits.
  • Families Against Narcotics (FAN) –  Each day over 2,000 teens abuse a prescription drug for the first time.  Many try it for fun thinking they are safe, others are prescribed painkillers by doctors, often to treat sports-related injuries.  For some, that decision will change their lives forever….  An integral part of FAN’S mission is to remove the stigma associated with addiction through education and to inform the community of the growing problem of prescription painkiller abuse among all ages, and the increase use of heroin by young people.  The Women’s Fund has awarded $1,000 to FAN for their “Hope Not Handcuffs” program.  The program will provide support to women in Oakland County that are looking to find viable treatment options, sober living, transportation or peer recovery coaching to maintain their sobriety.
  • Jewish Vocational Services – JVS helps metro Detroiters and their families maximize their potential by providing counseling, training and supportive services for people with disabilities, job seekers, seniors and others in need.  Their approach is rooted in Jewish values and the steadfast belief that the best way to help people is to make it possible for them to help themselves.  The Women’s Fund grant will be used to fund a “Better Job Opportunities” scholarship for an Oakland County woman through which she will attain computer skills needed to succeed in today’s workplace.

In addition to the grant given to Career Dress, additional funds were awarded to the “Motoring Women Through Unemployment” program on behalf of the Carol Kirken Memorial Affirmation Gift.

WOMEN’S FUND GRANTS – 2017

The Women’s Fund awarded grants in 2017 that empowered women in need with job seeking/job keeping skills, education, specialized training, women’s health support and inspired women to pursue a better future for themselves and their families.

  • Assistance League of SE Michigan – Assault Survivor Kits
  • RANH – Shelter for Homeless Women and Children Emergency Financial Assistance Program
  •  Career Dress – Motoring Women  Through Unemployment

WOMEN’S FUND GRANTS – 2016

The Women’s Fund awarded grants in 2016 that empowered women in need with job seeking/job keeping skills, education, specialized training, women’s health support and inspired women to pursue a better future for themselves and their families.

  • Assistance League of SE Michigan – Assault Survivor Kits
  • The Haven – Support Services for Recovery
  • RANH – Intermediate Shelter for Homeless Women & Children
  • OPC – “Act of Kindness Program” Helping women 60+ who are low income with small home repairs, appliances, medical or other incidental costs.
  •  Career Dress – Dressing for the Job
  • New Day Foundation – Positive Impact Program
  • Gary Burnstein Health Clinic – Women’s Health Clinic – To cover the cost of healthcare screenings, pap smears (cervical cancer screening) to uninsured women
  • Rainbow Connection – Special Response Program” – Provide support and respite to mothers of children battling catastrophic illness including but not limited to transportation and utility support
  • Jewish Vocational Services – “Better Job Opportunities Program” To fund scholarships for 4 Oakland County women, through which they will receive computer skills needed to succeed in the workplaces

WOMEN’S FUND GRANTS – 2015

The Women’s Fund awarded grants in 2015 that empowered women in need with job seeking/job keeping skills, education, specialized training, women’s health support and inspired women to pursue a better future for themselves and their families.

  • American Association of University Women/Rochester
  • New Day Foundation for Families
  • Paint A Miracle
  • HAVEN
  • Women’s Alliance of Oakland
  • Burnstein Clinic
  • Lighthouse
  • Assistance League of SE MI
  • OPC
  • Faith Works Michigan
  • Neighborhood House
  • Rainbow Connection
  • Crossroads for Youth
  • HOPE

WOMEN’S FUND GRANTS – 2014

The Women’s Fund awarded grants in 2014 that empowered women in need with job seeking/job keeping skills, education, specialized training, women’s health support and inspired women to pursue a better future for themselves and their families.

  • Assistance League of Southeastern Michigan  –  Assault Survivor Kit Program
  • Dr. Gary Burnstein Community Health Clinic –  Annual Health Screening Program
  • HAVEN –  Emergency Repairs for Victims of Domestic Violence
  • Lighthouse of Oakland County, Inc. –  Career Dress Boutique
  • Older Persons’ Commission –  Act of Kindness Program
  • Paint A Miracle –  Women’s Art Scholarship Program Fund
  • Rochester Area Neighborhood House –  Women Helping Women Program: Women’s Education
  • Rochester Area Neighborhood House –  Women Helping Women Program: Emergency Funds
  • Rochester Area Youth Assistance –  Daycare Assistance Program

Rochester Area Neighborhood House is The Women’s Fund’s oldest nonprofit partner in assisting local women. It was the logical choice for the first grant because its focus closely mirrors the philosophy of The Women’s Fund – providing relatively modest amounts of money at critical times can literally change lives. Over the years, The Women’s Fund has awarded emergency Mini-grants for food, housing, transportation and education, assisted women in completing their education, funded emergency medical expenses and in 2014 funded an educational program called Empowering Women in Need with Job Seeking/ Job Keeping Skills. Rochester Area Neighborhood House has been the community’s emergency safety net for 50 years. We help families who might be struggling, we address their immediate needs first and then assist them towards sustainability. The Women’s Fund has enabled us to direct funds to local women in need and has been there for us.

Linda Riggs - Executive Director, Rochester Area Neighborhood House