Women Helping Women is a charitable fund that was created when founding member Judy Ventresca decided to dedicate her salary from her final year of employment to address the needs of women in the Endless Mountains. The Community Foundation of the Endless Mountains made it possible for Judy to share her vision and create a fund that will provide perpetual assistance to local women. Since its inception, 67 individuals and 19 businesses have joined together in this vision.
Members of Women Helping Women are helping us make a lasting difference in our community. Local women face many obstacles. Some are unique to the area and some are universal to women across the world. Each year, Women Helping Women makes grants to local organizations that are working to alleviate those issues locally. Our annual grants target areas such as health and wellness, education, economic self-sufficiency, personal safety, leadership and professional development. Every donation helps us provide this valuable assistance.
The Women Helping Women Fund has grown rapidly in value with donations and pledges in recent years. Since 2012, we have raised over $63,000! We are now able to provide more assistance than ever, and the amount we grant will never decrease. As a fund of the Community Foundation, we will be able to grant five percent of the fund’s value every year and that amount will continue to grow.
This year, we were able to provide grants for agencies that focused on health, wellness and work place preparation. The grant recipients include Carenet, Tigress, Interfaith and Children’s Advocacy Center. Each agency has expressed gratitude to those that have collaborated in their efforts to bring about positive change and transform lives.
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. In 2014, we were fortunate to partner with Endless Mountains Health Systems and Cabot Oil & Gas Corporation for the Get a Screening Give a Screening project. In 2015 we want to once again raise awareness and encourage women to get their breast cancer screening. Screening is vital to early detection, which dramatically increases survival rates of this devastating disease. For some women, cost can be a barrier to getting the screening that may save her life. For the month of October women from Susquehanna and Wyoming Counties can now get that screening thanks to EMHS, Cabot Oil & Gas Corporation, and our generous donors. We can sponsor over 60 women this year!
Get a Screening - Call now to schedule your screening at Endless Mountains Health Systems. There are no cost or low cost screenings available, but you must make an appointment. First come, first served. Please call (570)278-3801 ext. 1120 and ask to speak with Valerie Brewer to register for a screening.
Give a Screening – For a tax deductible donation of $200, you can sponsor a woman from Susquehanna County to get a screening.
The Women Helping Women Leadership Committee invites you to attend our annual Women Helping Women networking brunch. Your contribution and support will make a difference in the lives of many women and young girls in our community. Together we can work to raise awareness of the unique struggles that women face, raise funds to provide them with the opportunity to succeed, and raise hope as we show our support.
This year, our annual event will be held on October 3, at 10:30 A.M. at the Community Foundation. Please plan to join us and learn about each of our grant recipients. Your sponsorship is critical in helping women and young girls achieve autonomy, financial security, and wellness. If you have any questions regarding the Fund or brunch, please don’t hesitate to contact us at the Community Foundation of the Endless Mountains at (570) 278-3800. Donations can be mailed to the Foundation or made online at www.community-foundation.org.
