How Can You Help WOW?

Work Options for Women is a private non-profit organization that relies on the generosity of individuals, foundations, corporations, and in-kind donors to carry out its work to enable low-income women seek economic self-sufficiency and freedom from welfare. We are very grateful to all our supporters, past and present, who have helped us to achieve our mission.

As we continue to grow and reach out to more women and their families, so does our need for support. Your contribution will truly have a positive impact on the lives of impoverished women. All gifts to WOW are tax-deductible.

You can use your credit card online to make a donation through Giving First. Just click on the link above and it will take you to Giving First and the Work Options for Women donation form. You can also use your credit card to make a donation over the phone by contacting our Development Director, Jennifer Koeller at 720-944-1917. Thanks for your support.

Donate by Mail - To make a contribution to WOW, go to http://workoptions.org , click on “Support WOW”, print out the form from your computer and send it to:

Work Options for Women

Attn: Development Director

1200 Federal Blvd.

Denver, CO 80204

Donate Your Used Car: If you have a car, truck, van, RV, motorcycle or boat that you would like to get rid of, consider donating it to Work Options for Women. We work with Cars for Charity (CFC), a nonprofit organization that will sell your vehicle and return the proceeds to WOW. CFC will handle all aspects of the donation for you, including transportation of the vehicle. To learn more or call our Development Director at 720-944-1917

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY OF THE MONTH (VOOM)

VOOM FOR AUGUST, 2008: Work Options for Women

This section highlights the Volunteer Opportunity of the Month (VOOM) - the social service organization that is being featured for the current month at Augustana.

WOW’s Recipe for Success

Work Options for Women (WOW) is a Denver-based nonprofit organization whose mission aligns well with Augustana Lutheran Church’s outreach efforts which honors human dignity and work, and promotes action to strengthen families in need. Together, we are addressing root causes of poverty such as limited access to realistic job-training and placement services for single mothers with little or no work history or skills.

Since 1997, WOW has conducted a rigorous job-training and placement program that also provides supportive case management services for low-income and homeless women. The heart of the program is 16 weeks of hands-on training, working side-by-side with professional chef instructors to prepare 800 meals each day in WOW’s commercial kitchen. Also during those weeks, case managers work individually with students to address specific barriers to employment, including homelessness, health and transportation issues, or affordable childcare. For example, one of WOW’s graduates had been sleeping in a park with her daughter before enrolling in the WOW program. As women near the completion of their training, WOW staff then helps with job placement, coaching students through the application and interview process.

The program focuses on the food industry because of the availability of entry-level jobs, which match the students’ abilities and interests, and provides opportunities for pay increases and career advancement. Overall success is defined by WOW’s ability to help women remain employed and economically self-sufficient. WOW’s 12-month job retention rate is 86%, compared to the average of 54% among other job-training programs across the country. The WOW Board, staff, volunteers, and students thank the Augustana community for joining with us through your financial support to create a recipe for success.

For more information go to www.workoptions.org

Evangelical Lutheran Church in America