Objective: To connect, unite, and empower women in the District of Columbia with resources and tools to cross racial, economic, and geographic boundaries and help each other become agents of change in their community

Program Summary: City-wide circle meetings will be held every 2 months and will consist of around 40-50 women (5-7 members per ward).  They will feature both panel and open discussions and will be geared towards information and idea dissemination and multicultural, multi-class dialogue.  Smaller circle meetings for women within individual wards are also encouraged to occur, though Peace X Peace and OWPI will be less involved in these intra-ward meetings.

In addition to learning about cross-ward issues and forming relationships, women in the Circles will also be exposed to the international community of Peace X Peace, their use of technology, and circle-style communication and decision-making. Circles may also take advantage of other Peace X Peace initiatives such as Story X Story, Action Circles, Spirit Circles, Act Now for Peace, Women’s Global Roundtable, and Peace X Prose.

A leader from each ward will be chosen before the first circle meeting and hosted in a reception/training at the Peace X Peace office.

 

 

Objective: To equip, inform and empower women in the District of Columbia with resources and tools to become financially smart entrepreneurs and agents of change in their community

Target Population: Women who are District of Columbia residents, particularly first-generation entrepreneurs

Program Summary: Pathway to Empowerment will occur in three main phases, organized in the analogy of a flower.  Roots, or the foundation for Economic Equality, are grown in the first phase (including Childcare, Health, Housing, and especially Building a Sisterhood).  The Sisterhood provides the “fertilizer” for all subsequent progress – to make sure it is done in a healthy, sustainable way. 

The stem of the flower, as phase two, is Skill-Building and Job Training.  Like a flower grows, phase one and two may not necessarily be chronologically distinct.  Project areas in phase two include Small Business Development, Creative Economy, and Financial Literacy. 

Goal: 5K Walk/Run

The Love My Body 5k Walk/Run celebrates women of all shapes, sizes and colors by focusing in the following three areas:

1. Promoting and supporting positive body image and self-acceptance
2. Bringing awareness of the dangers and “reality” of eating disorders within the minority community
3. Providing resources on how to make healtheir choices and become healthier role models for children

Estimated Attendance: 500

The Need:  In women, overweight and obesity are higher among minority populations than with white women.

4 out of 5 women are dissatisfied with their appearance. Statistics show that minority women suffer from eating disorders at equal rates than whites.

289,574 women (52.6%) live in DC
341, 557 minorities (62%) live in DC (Black, American Indian, Alaskan Native, Asian, Hispanic, Pacific Islander, Mixed Race)

 

The Harriet Tubman Women's Shelter is a low-barrier facility, which means overnight accommodation without the imposition of identification, time limits, or other program requirements.  Its capacity is 95 to 100 women.

The building is in much need of repair.  There is a courtyard which could immediately be beautified with landscaping and flower beds.  The internal appearance is not much better.  The facility needs to be brightened.  

A computer center/workforce development center will be established in the center with monthly training outreach performed by Sisters 4 Sisters volunteers.  Greater DC Cares will assist with non-monetary donations and pro bono services.

The WNBA All Star week will kick off the adoption of the shelter.  On Wednesday, July 12th the WBNA will assist with beautifying the grounds of the shelter.  The BET Foundation will assist with internal beautification efforts by sponsoring a mini-wellness/fitness retreat for the shelter residents.  OWPI will serve as the liaison for each organization and outline the ongoing support for the shelter’s development and sustainability.  Greater DC Cares will work with OWPI to recruit pro bono assistance for the shelter and developing programs to empower the shelter residents and provide them with the necessary resources to get on their feet.