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…
Thank You for Empowering Women at Work We appreciate you taking the time to celebrate with us at the 33rd Annual Pillar Awards Luncheon and 50th Anniversary Celebration! Congratulations to our 2023 Pillar Award winners: Family Promise of Grand Rapids, Gentex Corporation and Trinity Health Michigan. Thank you to our sponsors for making the…
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.
