Success Stories
Bonnie M., a 40-year-old divorced mother of two decided to return to college. With the support of the WOC, Bonnie graduated Magna Cum Laude from Fairleigh Dickinson's Master of Art in Teaching Program.

Read Our "Success Stories" to see how your donation can help.

A Woman's Wisdom

"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed people can change the world: indeed it's the only thing that ever has! "

—Margaret Mead

 


 

Women's Opportunity Center at the Burlington County YMCA - Helping Women Through Major Transitions

 

Support the Women's Opportunity Center

Scope of the Problem

Displaced Homemakers are women who have lost financial support through death, separation, divorce, or disability of a spouse. There are over 750,000 women in this category in New Jersey, placing our state 8th in the United States in numbers of Displaced Homemakers. Over 60% of New Jersey's Displaced Homemakers live at or below the poverty level. They are often ineligible for other programs because their names appear on a mortgage for homes they cannot afford or they own vehicles they cannot afford to drive.

How We Help

New Jersey's Displaced Homemakers Centers are non-profit organizations, which assist thousands of women each year. Many women are placed in positions with potential for growth and complete self-sufficiency. The women who benefit from our services know their options, choices, and opportunities. More importantly, they learn they have the support necessary to succeed. Employed women become contributors to the economy of the State instead of requiring public assistance.

How You Can Help

Centers for Displaced Homemakers in New Jersey are grant funded, but unfortunately our funding has been repeatedly reduced since 2001. We need your support to keep our program going! Your donation to the Women's Opportunity Center will help us continue to support women and families in our community.

Pay Special Tribute to a Loved One

Consider making a donation in honor of or in memory of a client, friend, family or colleague. At your request, an acknowledgement of your tribute can be sent to the recipient of your choice.

Since 2005, $1,000 has been donated yearly by Patricia French in honor of her mother.  The Dorothy Mareshi Award will be presented each year to a woman from the WOC Center who is pursuing education or training later in life. We are grateful to Ms. French for her generosity.

A Special Thanks to PHH Mortgage Corporation

Long time supporter of the mission of the Women's Opportunity Center - PHH Mortgage Corporation in Mt. Laurel - has donated over $30,000 in awards to assist our women in reaching their educational goals. PHH Mortgage Corporation has partnered with the WOC on many levels, including corporate donations, employment workshops, site expansion, and employee volunteered mentorship time. Our thanks go out to all of those at PHH Corp. for their part in guiding our women toward financial independence and stability. Women's Opportunity center appreciates contributions at any level.

Help sponsor a Displaced Homemaker on her path to economic self-sufficiency! 

Donations of Every Size Make a Big Difference –
Here’s Some Examples of What Your Support Can Do!

$50 provides a woman with a computer-ready professional resume and cover letter for submission to potential employers.

$100 provides enrollment for a displaced homemaker in one of introductory computer training classes.

$150 will assure a professional presentation for a woman job-seeking and interviewing, helping her become economically self-sufficient (haircut, suit, shoes).

$500 will provide emergency food and clothing for a displaced homemaker and her family transitioning to a better chapter in life.

$1000 award, named in honor of your loved one, will provide education and career support for one displaced homemaker. (see details below)

To make a donation, please contact:

Cathi Rendfrey, Director
Director, Women's Opportunity Center
59 Centerton Road, Mount Laurel, NJ 08054
Phone: (856) 234-6200 ext. 224
Email: cathir@ymca-bc.org

You know the old saying: Give a man a fish and he'll eat for a day. But if you teach a man to fish, he'll eat for a lifetime.

In the world of women's funds, the saying goes like this:

If you give a woman a fish, she will feed her family first and might possibly go hungry.

If you teach a woman to fish, she will feed her family until outside forces take away her fishing rights or pollute the lake.

If you help a woman buy the lake, she will feed her family, keep the lake environmentally clean and have something to pass on to future generations. ……………Our center supports women who are ready to buy the lake.

 
Women's Opportunity Center | 59 Centerton Road Mt. Laurel, NJ 08054 | phone: 856-234-6200 ext. 224 | Email Us