Women's Leadership Jobs to Careers - Women Helping Women Scholarship

Taking a cue from United Way’s efforts to build long-term cycles of success financial stability, in 2009 Women’s Leadership developed an innovative new scholarship program. It’s called the “Jobs to Careers – Women Helping Women” scholarship and it helps strong, capable women improve their financial stability by transitioning from paycheck-to-paycheck jobs to more stable, long-term careers through higher education and training.

It is estimated that right now in Greenville County, more than 31,000 women live below the poverty line. We know education is a key factor in determining income. About 16 percent of Greenville County women 25 and older did not graduate from high school. Another 30 percent have only a high school diploma. In today’s job market, we know that’s not enough.

Unfortunately, we also know that a lack of education and earning power doesn’t just affect the individual women. It also hampers the development of their children. A parent’s education and income level is one factor in determining a child’s success in school. That’s one of the reasons we’re so excited about the long-term impact we can have through Jobs to Careers.

Working in conjunction with our partners at Greenville Technical College and Sunbelt Human Advancement Resources, we’re allocating up to 3 percent of our annual undesignated Women’s Leadership contributions to help qualified, determined women receive the education and training they need to move from a job to a career. Not only do our recipients receive assistance with their tuition and books, but they also get help with expenses for common barriers to success like transportation and childcare. And again, it’s not just about writing a check. Our members are also donating their time and expertise to serve as mentors to our scholarship recipients. Their knowledge and experience will be priceless as we help guide these women on their paths to success.

We are pleased to announce that we have awarded eight scholarships to date and several of our recipients will be graduating in the fall of 2011. 

Please call 467-3551 for more information or volunteer mentoring opportunities.