Presenting

For more than 35 years, the Women's Resource Center of Sarasota County has educated, enriched and empowered women to give them the tools they needed to change their lives. e not-for-profit agency has served as an advocate and champion for women through its scholarship program, development of employment skills, financial support, and the flagship Challenge course and continuing educational support programs. rough its extended network of resources and partnerships throughout the community, the Women's Resource Center offers women of all ages the opportunity to return to the workforce with continued peer support and mentoring programs. e WRCSC's scholarship program has awarded 47 grants totaling $47,000 to non-traditional students with over 50% focused on education and careers in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math). Over 90% of last year's recipients are continuing education in their selected academic path. e hallmark Challenge Course offers women going through major life changes such as a divorce, job change or unemployment, loss of a loved one, or looking to make a personal reinvention through an intensive, week-long session that focuses on setting attainable goals, enriching their personal self-worth and building the foundation to a better, self-sufficient life. To date, over 3,000 women have successfully completed the program and found personal and professional success in the community. In 2014, at least 50 percent of the program attendees became employed in less than three months. e WRCSC also works to fulfill and support the critical needs of female veterans in our community through specialized programs and services including resume building, computer skills, and image consulting. Over the last six months, approximately 40 female veterans have received the support they need to reenter the workforce to find high-wage positions. It is the inspiration, dedication and commitment of the staff, countless volunteers, supporters and benefactors of the Women's Resource Center of Sarasota County that continue to create better lives, one individual at a time. Heidi was in the transition of relocating and trying to gain financial independence when she heard about the WRCSC's Challenge program. At the time, her only form of employment experience was with a carnival traveling family. A resilient woman, Heidi earned her GED while raising two daughters. She was going through difficult times, but after attending Challenge, Heidi reinvented herself. She credits the WRCSC with motivating and inspiring her to open her own business. The sense of community she gained and the support she received from the WRCSC, took her out of isolation and gave her the courage and confidence to become a successful woman. The insights she acquired from the WRCSC can now be passed on to her daughters so they may be empowered in their own lives by her example. When her mom graduated from the Challenge program, Kim realized she, too, could benefit. Dealing with depression, anxiety and bipolar disorder is a lot to handle, but Kim's experience with the WRCSC's Challenge class has allowed her to move away from darkness and into the light of hope and change among this supportive community of women. "The Women's Resource Center of Sarasota County facilitators recognize my abilities and encourage me to be my 'best self '. "They give me hope – hope that I will be able to overcome anything." COMMUNITY Changing Lives F To date, over 3,000 women have successfully completed the program and found personal and professional success in the community. 340 South Tuttle Avenue, Sarasota, FL 34237 Call 941.366.1700 or visit www.thewomensresourcecenter.org 32 | GRAVITAS MAGAZINE GravitasMag.com

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