The Women's Empowerment Program: What's Next for 2021?

Corine Dehabey, Director of Programs for US Together - Toledo

March is Women’s History Month and in recognition of this month we would like to provide an update on our Women’s Empowerment program in the Toledo office. Corine Dehabey, the Director of Programs for the Toledo office, started the Women’s Empowerment program several years ago and it is one of her passion projects.

The Women’s Empowerment program works with refugee women and their families to develop skills and connect them with resources in an effort to make them more self-sufficient and flourish in their own lives. She recalls that she started this program because she “always liked to encourage women to be independent” and to know and utilize their true abilities to achieve their goals.  She could see the potential in our clients but due to numerous barriers they were struggling to thrive here in Toledo. She is also a firm believer that “when you empower a woman, you empower the community.” Most of the women enrolled in the program were not formally employed and Corine wanted to develop programming to develop skills and connect them with professionals in the community so they could achieve their goals, whatever they may be.

“The Women’s Empowerment program works with refugee women and their families to develop skills and connect them with resources in an effort to make them more self-sufficient and flourish in their own lives.”

The core goals of the program are to provide opportunities for women refugees to develop skills to become independent and explore opportunities in Toledo on their own so they can advance their goals. Some examples of activities and programming provided are related to wellness such as mental health support groups, yoga and Zumba classes, and excursions with their children to the Toledo Art Museum or a local farm. Other activities that are part of the program are to develop practical skills such as practicing public speaking, digital literacy classes, English classes, GED courses, and hosting speakers from local professionals from Huntington Bank or the Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce to enhance their financial literacy or learn how to start a business.

So what’s new for the Women’s Empowerment Program this year? Corine hopes to provide more educational programs for our women clients that are related to digital literacy and expanding programs for health literacy and mental health. Corine wants the women she works with to feel empowered with their health so that they understand symptoms and preventative methods and also know where to find resources if they need care. She also hopes to facilitate a multi-generational summer camp this year for the fifth year in a row.