Women 2 Women

Editor’s Note: This weekly column is part of an ongoing series in which various residents of the community share their United Way story and how United Way has personally impacted them.

“All the flowers of all the tomorrows are in the seeds of today.”

This Native American proverb could have been written for a group of women in Jamestown, who formed a coalition several years ago. Their main goal was to empower women to escape from poverty. Supported by our local United Way, the seed was planted and grew into a program called Women2Women. The project uses one-on-one relationships between coaches and participants to help women find careers, make good life choices and to see an overall reduction in poverty in the area. By building a relationship, it was hoped that the participants would meet their goals.

I have had the privilege to be involved with the United Way for many years, as a volunteer, as a board member and as a campaign chair. I believe in their mission and feel strongly their impact on our community has been positive and meaningful. I believe they are excellent stewards of the money that is donated and that they foster collaboration and accountability. But I have been most impressed with the impact on individuals once I became involved with Women2Women. As a coach, I have met three young women from our community, all looking for a way to improve their life situation. My current participant and I first met almost two years ago. Over several months, we developed a caring relationship where trust was formed. Together, we have tackled some very difficult issues, full of emotion and pain.

We have discussed options, battled disappointment, shared joy and found friendship as we both grew to understand each other.

Without the support and guidance of the United Way, this program may have never started, and I may have never had the opportunity to work with these young women. Your donation to the United Way can make a significant difference to so many individuals and families. Please support them!

Anne K. Hedin is the Jamestown’s Women 2 Women Coach and United Way campaign volunteer; Women2Women is an adult coaching program that focuses on the use of one-on-one relationships to successfully complete one’s goals. Our participants will be matched with a coach that will help to support, guide, and provide skills to reach their goals. The focus of this program is to help YOU achieve your goals! For more information about W2W visit www.facebook.com/JamestownWomen2Women.