$115,000 Awarded to Economic Security Programs for Women

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

New Haven, Conn. (September 12, 2024) - The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven’s Community Fund for Women & Girls is helping women start businesses and advance in their careers with a new round of  Pathways to Economic Security for Women grants. The Fund is awarding a total of $115,000 to 10 Greater New Haven nonprofit programs offering job-skills training, entrepreneur coaching, housing stability, innovative childcare supporting women in the workforce, and other services focused on helping improve economic security for 3,584 local women.

The Fund created Pathways to Economic Security for Women in direct response to the disproportionate impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the economic security of working women. 

“These grants are essential because women, particularly those in the workforce, often face unique challenges that can undermine their financial stability —  including wage disparities, caregiving responsibilities, limited access to affordable childcare and a higher likelihood of working in industries vulnerable to economic downturns,” says Christine Kim, chair of the Community Fund for Women & Girls. "The COVID-19 pandemic further exacerbated these issues, disproportionately impacting women’s employment and income levels. By providing targeted grants, we can support programs that address these specific barriers, helping women achieve greater economic security and independence, which in turn benefits their families and communities.”

The Community Fund for Women & Girls is a component fund of The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven and the region’s only permanent charitable endowment dedicated solely to advancing women and girls.

The Pathways to Economic Security for Women grant program was designed following a 2021 study commissioned and funded in part by the Fund. The study found that unemployment claims by women surpassed those of men for the first time in state history. Other findings showed that only six percent of families of color can afford high-quality infant daycare or toddler programs. The fund responded with a grant program that focusses on workforce training, employment readiness, entrepreneurship, and wraparound services such as childcare, transportation and stipends.

 “We are pleased to support a third year of the Pathways grants program,” says Kara Straun, director of program and evaluation at The Community Foundation. “The Fund’s advisory board members and staff recognize the importance of investing in the critical services and supports that strengthen women’s economic security and advance women and families’ wellbeing.”

2024 Pathways to Economic Security for Women Grant Awards

CERCLE - $15,000 to support CERCLE’s general operating expenses, to continue offering its programs and services to the early childhood education providers it serves.

Christian Community Action, Inc. - $10,000 to support employment services within the ARISE Center, including job and income-generating services, person-centered approaches for heads of households and two parent families in residence. 

CitySeed Inc. - $10,000 to support Sanctuary Kitchen as it enters the next phase of programs with a focus on building economic opportunity for refugee and immigrant chefs within and beyond its kitchen. 

CMWP Foundation, Inc. - $10,000 to support a six-month capacity-building cohort program for women entrepreneurs. 

Community Action Agency of New Haven, Inc. - $10,000 to support Single Mothers Actively Reaching the Top (SMART) participants. 

Havenly, Inc. - $10,000 to support the establishment of a cooperative group child care home in a downtown New Haven apartment run by refugee and immigrant women. 

Life Health & Wellness Center - $10,000 to support subsidized summer camp for children ages 8-12 which will enable parents continued participation in the workforce.

Manufacturing And Technical Community Hub - $15,000 to support a pilot program for designed for women with an interest in the administrative and operational aspects of manufacturing. 

Spanish Community of Wallingford - $10,000 to support technology literacy courses for adult women which will increase women's self-sufficiency, knowledge and workforce preparedness.

Winning Ways Inc. - $15,000 to support a career readiness course for women in Department of Corrections halfway housing in New Haven.

About the Community Fund for Women & Girls
The Community Fund for Women & Girls is a component fund of The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven and is Greater New Haven’s permanent charitable endowment dedicated solely to advancing women and girls. The Fund advances women’s influence and gender equity through education, information and convenings, and supports programs and services for women and girls. Learn more at fundforwomenandgirls.org and join us on social media on Facebook and Twitter.

About The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven
The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven’s mission is to inspire, support, inform, listen to and collaborate with the people and organizations of Greater New Haven to build an ever more connected, inclusive, equitable and philanthropic community.  Established in 1928, The Foundation is one of the oldest and largest community foundations in the U.S. Generations of donors past and present have built the Foundation’s permanent charitable endowment, which serves 20 towns in Greater New Haven. The Foundation operates under a strategic plan to expand opportunity and equity throughout our region. For more information about The Foundation, visit cfgnh.org or follow @cfgnh on Facebook and Twitter.

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Media Contact:

Kathleen Cei
Communications Manager 
The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven
Email