DECEMBER, 2023: Norwescap, a dynamic nonprofit based in Phillipsburg, empowers people in northwestern New Jersey to move away from poverty through education, employment and much more.
Norwescap saw a need for funding beyond what it was receiving for women who fit the state’s strict definition of “displaced homemaker.” The organization applied for and received a $100,000 grant from Impact100 Garden State in 2021 to expand its Career and Life Transitions Center (CLTC) to help a wider range of low-income women, including single mothers and members of the underserved Hispanic community.
The two-year grant period has now concluded, with significant impact for the communities Norwescap serves. The Impact100 Garden State grant enabled CLTC to diversify its programming, to award educational grants, to increase staff and to develop and distribute community outreach and social media materials in English and Spanish.
Real results
The expanded CLTC programming made a significant impact. Seventy-five women enrolled in the expanded program. Of the 36 women who were unemployed upon entering the program, seven are now attending school and 14 have obtained jobs. Of the women who had jobs when they enrolled, 39% have obtained better-paying positions in their fields.
Twenty-five education grants were provided to 19 women (six of the women were given a second grant to finish their education or continue their studies). Ten of the women focused on healthcare education, five on English as a Second Language, three on degreed programs and one on real estate transactions and litigation.
One client didn’t have a job and was struggling financially but wanted to pursue a certification in radiology. With Norwescap’s assistance, she was able to take two different radiology classes to obtain her certification. She has since accepted a full-time position as a dental assistant in the radiology area, paying $30/hour with full benefits.
Another client, a young student living alone in a rented room and working as a temporary employee at Amazon, had begun a nursing assistant course. Norwescap helped pay for the next semester of the course. Upon completing her certification, the young woman found a new job as a nursing assistant in a doctor’s office, with a salary of $20/hour plus benefits. She plans to further her education to become a nurse, and Norwescap will continue to support her on her journey.
Varied offerings
Norwescap provides free workshops covering topics such as computer essentials, job readiness, resume writing, and interview preparation. The Career & Life Club and Empowerment program offers presentations on a variety of topics including “Need Mental Healthcare but Don’t Have Insurance?”, “Navigating Life During & After Divorce”, and “Hoarding/Collecting.”
“Over the past two years, our partnership with Impact100 Garden State has allowed us to help 75 women and their families truly change the trajectory of their lives; the long-range impact will reach countless more individuals and families,” says Heather Thompson, Norwescap Chief Development Officer. “We are deeply grateful to every member of Impact100 Garden State for believing in, and investing in, this life-changing work.”
While the Impact100 Garden State grant period for the expanded program is complete, Norwescap has secured funding from a private entity to continue to build sustainable career paths and skills for a better future for their clientele.
“The support, peer network, and sense of community offered through Norwescap and our CLTC has a transformative effect on nearly every woman we work with,” says Heather Thompson. “We often hear stories of how our clients feel more positive and optimistic about their futures. They no longer feel alone or isolated in the challenges they are experiencing, and the network and relationships they build become a cornerstone for them well after they ‘graduate’ from the program.”