Learn | InvestIng In Women

Worldwide, women are more likely than men to be poor and illiterate. They usually have less access than men to medical care, property ownership, credit, training and employment. They are less likely than men to be politically active and more likely to be victims of domestic violence. Protecting women isn’t just a woman’s issue, it’s a family issue.

ReseaRchSingle mothers are disproportionately affected by poverty. The poverty •rate for single-mother families is 40.7% compared to 8.8% for married-couple families.[1]

In 2011, over 5 million more women than men lived in poverty in the US• . [2] Women were 34% more likely to be poor than men; and single mothers were 87% more likely to be poor than single fathers.[3]

Quality child care costs an average of $7,500 to $9,000 per year, per •child. For an impoverished woman earning $24,000 per year, more than one-third of her income would still be insufficient to cover the cost of childcare for a single child.[4]

In Our Community

Assuming the national poverty rate, almost 100,000 women live in •poverty in Tarrant County.[4]

In Tarrant County, the poverty rate for female-headed households is •28%, twice that of individuals and almost three times the rate among all families.[4]

An estimated 669 women are homeless on any given night in Tarrant •County.[4]

In Tarrant County, it is estimated that women earn 80 cents on the dollars • compared to men.[4]

[1] U.S. CenSUS BUreaU [2] national Center for law and eConomiC JUStiCe [3] women legal defenSe and edUCation fUnd [4] YwCa report: women & povertY in tarrant CoUntY

To learn more abouT InvesT Ing In Women vIs IT us onlIne aT WWW.cfnTx.org.

The Women’s Center helped Betty get a better job and begin saving. “I am still learning, and I will always thank The Women’s Center for helping me accomplish so much in my life,”says Betty.

“ . . . inequality is manifestly unfair. It is also bad economics: under-investing in girls and women puts a brake on poverty reduction and limits economic and social development. ”

- The World Bank

Opening Doors for Women in NeedThe vision of Opening Doors for Women in Need is to empower women with confidence and the resources needed to become independent women that can provide both emotionally and financially for themselves and their children.

Program HigHligHtsCounseling and support groups•offer daily recovery and relapse prevention meetings.

Transitional and affordable housing•are provided for single women,with or without children.

Job placement assistance helps women•become more independent.

Mentoring by female professionals•in the community to improve job skills and confidence.

Prison to home transition programs help • reintegrate formerly incarcerated women and give them a second chance.

For more information, call 817.920.9326 or www.opendoors4women.org

The Women’s CenterThe Women’s Center’s mission is “Inspiring, teaching and empowering women and families to overcome violence, crisis and poverty.” The Women’s Center offers a wide array of services aimed at empowering women and their families, including rape crisis and victim services, violence prevention and employment solutions programs.

Program HigHligHtsJobs NOW! is a two-week program where participants learn about • job search techniques, résumé writing, applying for jobs and interviewing skills.

Job Skills Training is designed to increase income and assist with career •advancement. Participants receive financial education, mentorship, and one year of retention/advancement assistance.

The Community Kitchen program is a culinary training course offered in •collaboration with Tarrant Area Food Bank, for lower-income men and women interested in pursuing a career in the restaurant industry.

The Strengthening Families program, available through referral, and • offered in partnership with Workforce Solutions of Tarrant County, assists low-income families in moving out of poverty and crisis.

For more information, call 817.927.4006 or visit www.womenscentertc.org

Spotlight | investing in Women

Two clients take notes in an Oil & Gas Production class offered by The Women’s Center.

2011 ODWIN graduation ceremony.