Creating Only Open Sky and Opportunities.
Starting Point: Opening Doors to New Opportunities Through Education
Starting Point is a transformative 10-week program designed to help low-income women overcome the barriers to post-secondary education and offers them support to break the cycle of poverty. Through tailored workshops, participants will build confidence, develop self-empowerment strategies, and learn to balance the demands of parenting, work, and education. This program equips women with the tools and support needed to confidently pursue their educational and career dreams.
To continue to make a lasting impact, Starting Point is a partnership between the Women’s Fund, B.A.B.E.S. Child Abuse Prevention Program, and Fox Valley Technical College.
After I had my daughter my whole life changed. I isolated myself and started losing my self-confidence and motivation for my own life. I tried going back to school on my own, but got discouraged with finances and child care. I didn’t think I would be able to do it alone. Thanks to the Women’s Fund, now I have resources and feel I will be more prepared when entering college.
“Jennifer” – Starting Point 2.0 Program Participant
We Don’t Wait for Change –
We Make it
Our findings that drove us to launch a program for young women and young moms include:
- Young women were reported as the most under-served age group.
- Women’s Fund grantees working with youth reported a lack of services for young adults aging out of programs.
- The Status of Women in Northeast Wisconsin Report sections on Educational Attainment, Women & Poverty, and Women, Work & Wages demonstrate the need for increased efforts to help women become economically secure.
We Do the Work
- 200 graduates from Starting Point
- 104 children received care at BABES
- 113 additional children in the family positively impacted
- 417 lives impacted
Interested or Know Someone Who Could Benefit?
Visit the FVTC website for details and registration information.
Our Approach
Women’s funds and foundations across the country are taking a family-centered approach. Starting Point program uses the Two-Generation approach, which provides opportunities for children and parents to overcome obstacles and succeed together.
Learn more through the Aspen Institute Two-Generation Playbook.
Thank you to our generous donors who make this initiative possible!
The Time is Now
Your support of this innovative program for young women will positively impact local families. An investment of $2,500 for a family to go through the program can change the trajectory of a young woman’s life. If you would like to learn how you can support a woman and her family, contact Julie Keller at 920.702.7617 or jkeller@womensfundfvr.org.
You can also donate online.