Year in Review | annual-report

INVITING FRIENDS TO THE CONVERSATION

WOMEN TALK

CONNECTION EVENTS

In November, Colleen Bracken, Founder and Managing Partner of Bracken Leadership helped us understand the concept of power and our relationship with power. We explored what types of power we have and how we can use that power more effectively to lead and influence.

In March, women from across five generations came together at the Kennett Area Senior Center for a lively discussion facilitated by Dr. Michele Belliveau, Chair of West Chester University’s Social Work Department. Dr, Belliveau helped us explore how women can communicate in order to build intergenerational relationships and to create opportunities for each woman to share her own HERstory.

GETT

In March, girls in grades 5-10 learned about career opportunities in a broad scope of STEM related industries at Girls Exploring Tomorrow’s Technology (GETT). CCFWG wsas an active partner in planning the event and gave a presentation on the wage gap in Chester County to attendees.

Sharing Solutions 2016: Advancing Girls in STEM

In April, the Center for the Advancement of Girls invited CCFWG to join other decision makers and innovators in K-12 schools, higher education, nonprofit organizations and STEM industries for an engaging day of critical conversation about the future of girls and women in STEM.

Paths to Equity: Innovative Philanthropy for

Women and Girls

In October, CCFWG attended the Women’s Funding Network’s 30th Annual Conference that amplified the power and voices of women’s foundations, and brought together more than 400 foundation leaders, donors and women leaders in the fields of technology and business.

Vision 2020 Fifth National Congress

In October, CCFWG participated in the Vision 2020 National Congress. Important information was shared and national and state strategies were developed. Connections and collaborations were strengthened among major national organizations working towards collective impact at this high-energy gathering.

ENGAGEMENT

ACHIEVEMENTS

MOSTELLAR COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD

CCFWG was named the 2015 Mosteller Community Service Award winner by the Greater West Chester Chamber of Commerce for our long term commitment to meeting the challenges confronting women and girls and its ongoing dedication to identifying and addressing those needs.

2016-2018 Women's Business Connection Community Outreach Partner

CCFWG was named the 2016-2018 Community Outreach Partner for the Chester County Women's Business Connection (WBC). The Fund will be the focus of WBC community investment efforts. The special relationship between the organizations was announced at the WBC May networking lunch.

In June, we gathered at the Gables at Chadds Ford to celebrate the essential work done by our grantee-partners, who work every day to better the lives of women and girls in our communities. In 2016, we awarded $255,000 in grants to 23 Chester County agencies supporting women and girls.

GRANTS CELEBRATION

In August, Marissa Hammond, a Health and P.E. Instructor joined CCFWG to go inside the mind of a teenager. We discussed what teenage girls are asking about their bodies, sex, and healthy relationships so they can make well-informed and responsible decisions.

In October, CCFWG partnered with the ACLU to present the "Your Body, Your Rights" program that educates the community about teen’s rights to get healthcare and mental health services. To learn more visit their website.

In December, Michele Paiva, a wellness professional with over 25 years of experience and a licensed psychotherapist and yoga therapist, joined CCFWG to explore how trauma or stress can be a superpower by transferring it to vitality and health. To learn more about Michele’s work visit her website.

In March, CCFWG facilitated a non-partisan conversation on current issues affecting women and their impact on the 2016 presidential election.

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“We are truly humble, at La Comunidad Hispana, to be able to be the place where we believe we help people change their lives. This would not be possible without organizations like the Chester County Fund for Women and Girls.”

ALISA JONES

LA COMUNIDAD HISPANA

STATE OF WOMEN IN CHESTER COUNTY

In May, our inaugural Forum explored women’s issues in our region in relation to business, social service and education. The event brought together 240 community members seeking to learn more and to network with various groups, including eleven exhibiting organizations. The Chester County Women’s Commission and CCFWG led planning efforts to deliver a program that included inspirational remarks from Lisa McCann, a Principal of Information Technology at the Vanguard Group; a presentation of the Blueprint Report; and a panel discussion featuring four local women leaders. The Chester County Economic Development Council, the STEM Academy, League of Women Voters, United Way of Chester County, Chester County Chamber of Commerce, Fulton Bank, AAUW, and Unruh, Turner, Burke & Frees participated on the Forum’s Planning Committee.

CCFWG launched its 2016 Update to the Blueprint Report: Leveraging Progress, an objective and comprehensive assessment of the status of women and girls in Chester County compared to the status of women and girls across PA and the US.