www.womensgivingalliance.org

2007 Issue 3 September 2007

Fields of Interest Focus Our GrantmakingWith so many needs and important issues in our community how does the Grants Committee decide what to support? Four Fields of Interest provide a framework that influences annual grantmaking initiatives. The fields were determined using the results of the WGA-funded and other research.

The Grants Committee’s Commu-nity Research Team role is to conduct ongoing community research to both further define each of the Fields of Interest and recommend potential initiatives.

What follows is a brief description (from Voices Heard: The Status of Women & Girls in Northeast Florida) of and some perspectives on our grant-making in each Field of Interest.

Pre-12 Public EducationEducational attainment is closely cor-related to one’s economic success and well-being.In our first five years, every grant award-ed for girls’ programs addressed issues within this area. One initiative focuses on programs that deliver gender-specific, quality after-school and/or summer academic or enrichment experiences. Current grants include: Cathedral Arts’ after-school dance program and Reed Educational Center.

Economic EmpowermentMany factors influence women’s abilities to achieve financial independence. Among them are workforce participation, earnings and educational attainment.Two initiatives and current grants are:

• Gender-specific women’s literacy programs. The Women’s Center and WGA partnership to implement what has become a model in how to approach this critical issue.

• Programs for women business owners to ensure the growth and success of their firms. WGA grants enable the Jacksonville Women’s Business Center reach more women with “Mentoring Matters.”

Physical and Mental HealthThe majority of factors that contribute to the health and well being of women and girls are life-style related, but problems may be exacerbated by inadequate access to quality, affordable healthcare services.

The majority of the WGA-funded pro-grams for women and for girls to date have addressed some aspect of mental health—particularly self-esteem. The current program at Jewish Family and Community Services is an example of such an effort with its emphasis on gen-der-specific support groups and therapy for girls in the dependency system and their mothers.

There has been more limited focus on programs that directly address physical health. As a result infant mortality was recommended as a potential initiative this year.

Violence and Crime Intervention and PreventionWomen and girls experience many forms of violence. In addition to the immediate results of victimization, there are typically longer-term impacts. There are a growing

number of women and girls who enter the criminal justice system.

While it is expected that programs funded in the other Fields of Interest will serve as means to prevent violence and crime, there is also a need to directly address these issues. Most WGA grants in this field have funded programs provided by shelters such as the support for the Betty Griffin Rape Crisis Center.

This year’s recommended initiatives include two in this Field of Interest—girls in the juvenile justice system and “aging out” of the foster care system.

by Sandy Cook

Left to Right, Dale Clifford, Ann Crook, Kathy Orr, and Lyn Pannone.

Left to Right, Susan West, Carla Marlier and Izzy Spence.

Member Recognition

Steering Committee Members

Joan Van Vleck, PresidentLindsay Helms, VPGail Sterman, SecretaryLee Ann Buchanan, Treasurer & FinanceSandy Cook, NominatingJana Ertrachter, CommunicationsMary Pietan, CommunicationsAfesa Adams, EducationPam Gerrish, EducationKatherine Graci, FinanceScott McGehee, GrantsSusan West, GrantsLinda Hossenlopp, MembershipMarion Tischler, MembershipNina Waters, Staff Liaison, The Community FoundationJoan W. Newton, Board Liaison, The Community Foundation

Members At Large:Martha BakerMargaret CorseBeth McCagueBarbara HarrellCarla MarlierRoxie MerrillLinda MoseleySharón SimmonsLisa WeatherbyFounders: Ann BakerDr. Doris CarsonHelen LaneDelores Barr WeaverCourtenay WilsonThe Community Foundation Support Staff:Saunie McLaughlinCheryl RiddickJeneen Sanders

Joan Van Vleck, President

Vicki ArnoldHilah AutreyCarson BarnettRosa BeckettCatherine BeckhamMolly BoydMichelle BradfordAnna BroscheElizabeth BucciJulie CappielloDale CliffordAnn CrookKathryn DurityLeigh ForresterAnn GallowayJill GleesonJoan HaskellSheila JacobsonPenny JenkinsDuffy KoprivaBarbara LeagueDawn Lockhart

Sherry MagillValerie MarcheseRandle MarchmanKaren MayfieldSandra McNeillPeggy MitchellHelen MorseLeAnne OsburneKaye ParticelliAudrey PattersonKathryn Pearson PeytonCrystal PippinsMarianne RizzoWendy RobertsJudy RomesburgSusan RowleyElizabeth StoddardSusan TowlerPeggy WilchekJudith WilliamsSusan Wohlfeld

Welcome New 2007 MembersNotes from Joan Growing Up With Grants!Six years ago the Women’s Giving Alliance embarked on its first round of grant awards driven by the concept of “Collective Giving” (pooling dollars from its members). Early grantmaking involved members combining their knowledge and expertise to direct WGA dollars to improve the lives of women and girls. These first years provided continuous learning, improved processes, and a firm foundation upon which to build.

The WGA Strategic Plan completed last year, capitalized on the foundation of the first five years. The Plan encour-ages our philanthropic focus to move from “Giving as Relief and Improvement” to “Giving as Social Reform and Civic Engagement!”

The Grants Committee through rigorous, thoughtful deci-sion-making is continually fine-tuning the process leading to greater knowledge of the issue prior to asking for grant proposals and evaluation at every step of the grants process.

Our collective giving is working! Recently, I attended the Jacksonville Women’s’ Business Center’s graduation for “Marketing Matters” … a program WGA has funded for two years. In order to graduate, each woman (most from modest circumstances) is required to complete an approved market-ing plan. To hear these graduates tell their stories and ex-press their appreciation was thrilling. WGA has empowered these women to realize their dreams and financial success!

Jacksonville Women’s Business Center Executive Director Sandy Bartow addresses attendees of graduates, mentors, sponsors, family and friends at the inaugural Marketing Matters graduation reception July 16.

Save the DatesOctober 31 - Members Forum

UNF University Center 11:30 - 1:00 p.m.

January 16 - WGA Annual Meeting at 11:30 a.m.

WGA Education Boutique—Rosanne R. Hartwell Women’s Centerby Mary Carter

Please pass the membership renewal card quickly! I can hardly wait to see my pledge go to work helping those who are helping them-selves. A program for displaced homemakers centers on the skills women need to enter the workplace. Self worth, goal identification and computer skills dominate the 3-week program called “Chal-lenge” at the Rosanne R. Hartwell Women’s Center.

You could feel the pride radiating from the graduates and family members there to support them. With diplomas in hand, for some the first diploma they’ve ever held, the Challenge participants look at the workplace in a different way than they did just a few weeks earlier.

Graduates “Women Destined to Succeed”!! Never Underestimate the Power of a Woman – “She is like a tea bag…not knowing how strong she is until in hot water.”

Attending this session are WGA members and Rosanne Hartwell Teachers and staff. From left to right, Susan Rowley “WGA member”, Suzanne Rasco “Challenge Instructor”, Jean Helm “Challenge Instruc-tor”, Harriett Courtney “Challenge Program Coordinator”, LaDonna Morris “Counselor Coordinator”, Mary Carter, Kitty Beckham, Betty Stoddard, Peggy Wilcheck, and Pam Gerrish, all “WGA Members”

Challenge graduation teachers and students.

Did You Know?...by Sandy CookAs a result of the research conducted early in 2007 by the Community Research Team, the Grants Decision Team chose three initiatives for further exploration and consider-ation for funding. They are: Aging Out of the Dependency (Foster Care) System, Infant Mortality, and the Girls in the Juvenile Justice System. What follows is an overview of the critical issues for each of the initiatives selected.

1. Aging Out of the Dependency (Foster Care) System• Youth leave the foster care system at age 18. (Five

years younger than the median age of independence for youth who live with their birth parents.)

• 100 youth in Northeast Florida will “age out” this year.• The high-school graduation rate is low. (However,

these youth are eligible for a tuition waiver for post-secondary education or training.)

• This population is at high risk for homelessness, early parenthood, depression, crime, and substance abuse.

• National and state mandates require programs to promote self-sufficiency.

2. Infant Mortality• Infant mortality is the number of infant deaths dur-

ing the first year of life. It is reported as number of deaths per 1,000 population.

--US and Florida: 7.0/1,000 (US is 27th among industrialized nations)

--Duval County: 10.9/1,000 However, African-American babies are more than

twice as likely to die before their first birthday. (Duval County: 16.2/1,000; St. Johns County: 18.2/1,000)

• The lifetime medical cost of 1 premature baby is $500,000.

3. Girls in the Juvenile Justice System• On an average day, 1,000 girls in Florida are commit-

ted to residential placements—highest in the nation.• Compared to boys, girls are admitted for less serious

offenses and have fewer felonies.• Duval County has the highest number of girls com-

mitted to residential placements for misdemeanors or non-law violations of probation.

• Delinquency judges in Duval County consider local treatment options to be inadequate and commit girls to institutions outside the community.

• 40% of girls in the juvenile justice system report committing their first offense before the age of 13.

• 79% have emotional/mental health issues—often due to family conflict, and/or victimization.

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To inspire the women of Northeast Florida to be strategic philanthropists

and to improve the lives of women and girls through collective giving.

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Events Calendar for September 2007 - January 2008 S E P T E M B E R 11 Get Smart Series ‘Infant Mortality’ - 9:30 - 11:30 a.m. - UNF University Center

19 Operating Committee-WJCT - 11:30 - 1:00 p.m. Brown Bag lunch

25 Get Smart Series ‘Aging out of the Dependency System’ - 9:30 - 11:30 a.m. - UNF University Center

O C T O B E R2 Education Boutique - Jacksonville Women’s Center, “Mentoring Matters” - 2:00 p.m.

10 WGA Steering Committee-WJCT- 11:30 - 1:00 p.m. Lunch provided

31 Members Forum - 11:30 - 1:00 p.m. - UNF University Center N O V E M B E R2 Education Boutique—Women’s Center of Jacksonville, Inc. “Expanded Horizons-Women’s Literacy Program” at 12:00 p.m.

14 Steering Committee-WJCT- 11:30 - 1:00 p.m. Lunch provided D E C E M B E R12 Operating Committee - WJCT - 11:30 - 1:00 p.m. Brown Bag lunch

J A N U A R Y16 SAVE THE DATE: WGA Annual Meeting at 11:30 a.m.