Dear Friends of the Women’s Resource Center, Over the past year, our organization has been in a season of change and, like any organization that has weathered fifty years of service, some of those changes have challenged us to reflect, re-center, and recommit to the heart of our mission. Leadership transitions are never easy, and…
Grand Rapids, MI, July 2025 — Women’s Resource Center (WRC) is entering a new chapter of leadership with the appointment of Dr. Darlene Lee as its Interim Executive Director. Lee brings 20 years of experience in nonprofit and educational leadership, with a strong background in strategic planning, stakeholder engagement, change leadership, and equity-focused initiatives. A…
We recently earned a Candid Bronze Seal of Transparency! Check out our nonprofit profile to keep up to date with our impact. Keep this link handy, we want to make sure you always have the information you need to support our work with trust and confidence.
The Women’s Resource Center (WRC) is pleased to announce the appointment of Trudy Ender as the new Chief Executive Officer. Trudy brings a wealth of experience, passion, and a deep commitment to empowering women and fostering community support. “I am incredibly honored and excited to join the Women’s Resource Center as the new CEO,” said…
Women’s Resource Center (WRC) is excited to announce its partnership with HR Collaborative in the search for the organization’s next Chief Executive Officer (CEO). This follows the departure of former CEO LaSandra Gaddy, who assumed the role of President and CEO at the Grand Rapids Community Foundation. The search for a new CEO comes at…
On June 28th, 2023, Women’s Resource Center opened their new facility at 816 Madison Ave NE! Check out the stories below: Women’s Resource Center opens new facility Women’s Resource Center holds grand opening for new Grand Rapids facility
The Women’s Resource Center was recently featured on WZZM and WoodTV8 to highlight a new partnership between Woodland Mall and the Business Boutique. Check it out! GR Women’s Resource Center celebrates 50 years Woodland Mall helps charity dress women for jobs
Tonya’s Story In February 2019, Tonya was stopped for a traffic violation and arrested due to a pending warrant on her record. She was experiencing a difficult time and struggled with alcoholism. In result of her struggle with alcohol, Tonya lost her job and began to spiral into a series of challenges. While serving her…
2025 Pillar Award Winners Thank you for joining us at the 2025 Pillar Awards! With its Pillar Award, Women’s Resource Center recognizes West Michigan employers that have implemented best practices which empower women at work. Since 1987, this prestigious award showcases the noteworthy efforts of local employers who are pillars of…
Women’s Resource Center (WRC) announced a $200,000 grant award from the Michigan Justice Fund at the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan
We offer a variety of resources designed to support women who are going through a divorce. During the COVID-19 shutdown, we modified group workshops to take place over an individualized phone call. Over the past year, Attorney Audra McClure has volunteered to provide 11 free, one-on- one consultations to women, providing an enormous benefit and a…
Understanding that incarceration presents unique challenges for future job seekers, Women’s Resource Center’s New Beginnings program provides enhanced gender-responsive mentoring services to women at Kent County Jail pre-release and up to 18 months post-release. DEJAIA Dejaia first heard of the Women’s Resource Center after sitting in on a session led by Coach Julie Harper-Shears at…
You may not control all the events that happen to you, but you can decide not to be reduced by them. – Maya Angelou This March, the International Women’s Day theme was Choose to Challenge. It was an invitation to celebrate progress made in the area of gender equality while recognizing and refusing to accept areas…
The Pillar Award began in 1987 as a way to honor organizations who are committed to empowering women at work. This year, we took a closer look at 4 local companies who are actively investing in women in the workplace. We challenge our community to continue empowering and supporting women in the workplace. Much has…
March is Women’s History Month and we challenge you to “Go Green for Women”! Why green? We all know that green is the color of money, but the color green can also symbolize growth, renewal, and prosperity. By wearing green, you are showing your support of the transformation that takes place in the lives of women…
We remember Joan Crandall, Deb Bailey, and Jayne Schafer. Joan Crandall Pioneer of the WRC Joan Hamann (Crandall) was a beloved pioneer of the Women’s Resource Center. Joan was the very first Board Chair and also served as Executive Director. “I had the opportunity to spend time with Joan over the past couple of…
The success of every woman should be an inspiration to another. We’re strongest when we cheer each other on. – Serena Williams Women in Grand Rapids are hurting. In the first two months of the COVID-19 pandemic, we interacted with nearly as many clients as we typically do in an entire year. But despite…
Last fall, Wynnielle Howland had a difficult decision in front of her. She had just finished serving time at the Kent County Jail and she was ready to start fresh in a new career, but she didn’t know where to start. She was recommended to our New Beginnings program and paired with one of our…
Dear friends, We hope you are well and safe. Our first priority at Women’s Resource Center is the safety and well-being of our participants, staff, volunteers, and community partners. Safety Precautions Per the latest MDHHS guidelines, we are currently operating under a revised schedule: Monday & Wednesday | 9am – 5pm | Working remotely…
As an advocate for working women, Women’s Resource Center honors progressive West Michigan employers who empower women at work with policies designed to recruit, retain and advance women in their workplace.
Our fall fundraiser Wine, Women & Chocolate is a fun event where guests can enjoy wine tastings, craft beers, and delectable chocolates while taking part in a silent auction and raffle drawings.
Too many working households in Michigan are struggling to afford the basics. Single women head of households are especially effected by low wage jobs and increasing costs of housing, food, transportation and health care. 2019 Michigan ALICE Report.
