May 2019

Client Spotlight

“Empowered Women Empower Women” - I have a t-shirt with this saying on it made from one of my mentees in my former community of Wausau, Wisconsin. For many years, I served as a mentor and role model, whether directly or indirectly to many women in the Wausau community. For the sake of my family, I made the choice to move to Kansas City where my husband’s extended family resides. I knew I was sacrificing a lot in my personal and professional life but with the combination of changes in both my life and that of my husband, we decided 2018 was the right time to move to Kansas City. After all, I always imagined myself living in a bigger city and Kansas City was a place my husband and I often talked about ultimately settling in with our family. So, here we are!

It has now been a little over a year since moving to KC and since that time, I have found myself isolating from the people back in Wisconsin. I lived a very busy but fulfilling life in Wisconsin, but I had made up my mind that my life in KC would be much more balanced; family time, making time to raise my son at his young, critical age was and is at the top of my priority list, while gradually transitioning back into the workforce.

I also decided that moving to KC provided an opportunity for me to explore other career goals outside of academia. I loved connecting with my Wisconsin folks but as someone who was perceived as a strong pillar in my former community, I didn’t want them to know I was struggling with my own sense of self- worth and capabilities now in Kansas City - I’ve tried to keep my sense of self in check (and I thought I was doing a good job) but between trying to be the best wife and mother to my family as well as great daughter-in-law to my still grieving mother-in-law (my father-in-law passed away two years ago), I have been drained with little time to give to myself, to job searching.

Before moving to Kansas City, I knew my biggest challenge would be not having a network. Now, I’m living that challenge. The only network I have in KC is my husband’s family but none of them have been able to assist my job search in the ways necessary. I started seeing WEN ads pop up on my Facebook page about a month prior to the first day of WEN class #302. In my growing desperation, I briefly researched WEN when it popped up on the Facebook page but just as quickly decided they probably couldn’t help someone like me who had a working spouse and who may be perceived as already educated and accomplished and therefore capable of helping herself. It wasn’t until about the third time I saw WEN pop up on Facebook that I decided to take the risk of contacting WEN and seeing if anyone at WEN could help me reach my goal of developing a network and ultimately obtaining a job. I definitely feel I’ve made the right choice in contacting WEN.

My time at WEN has been just what I needed. I keep saying this but it’s true: WEN has been the extra set of arms and legs that I needed. WEN has helped to invest the extra hours in my life that I just didn’t have the energy to invest nor did I know how to invest. WEN has allowed me to sleep better, knowing that I could afford to sleep now. WEN has provided me the structure in my days that I desperately needed in order to be productive and to feel a sense of purpose again. I have begun to feel rejuvenated again, feeling a sense of hope and worthiness. As silly as it may sound, I had begun to lose faith in Kansas City people, wondering if there was anyone here who cared enough to help me in my path to finding employment but WEN has helped to restore that faith I’ve always had in humankind up until recently.

There are many things I’ll take away from my time with WEN. Most of all, I’ll remember the staff, especially Lynnette, Tonia, and Latoya. Their willingness to share their personal stories and their genuine desire to help us ladies succeed in employment and in life, in general, are most notable. One should be so lucky to experience having people in their lives who care enough to give above and beyond just a paycheck to see others succeed. The guest speakers have been wonderful as well. I enjoyed our time with Sarah who helped facilitate our putting together the vision boards and to see that we all were worthy and capable of achieving our life goals. Mark’s presentation was very insightful. He helped me to see that job searching had to be approached like a relationship, a two way street; I had every right to interview the employer just as they interviewed me. Latoya’s financial information and the visuals she provided, in particular, are ones I’ll use moving forward. The other workshops were helpful as well, but these three I mentioned were most significant to me.

My goal is to land employment (hopefully long-term) within the next couple of weeks after WEN graduation. I know I can’t achieve this goal without WEN though. I plan to attend WEN job clubs, workshops, and job fairs, in order to help me achieve my goals. I will also need the support of WEN staff and my fellow classmates to keep me optimistic about what’s in store for me as far as a career. Throughout my time at WEN, I’ve come to realize that I could do so much more than what I did in the past as far as a career. I also know what I need in a job now and what I’m willing to sacrifice or not budge on. For example, I need job flexibility to go to my son’s school and events every so often. I now have faith that I can do the work of a corporate trainer full time. This is my new career goal. I know that the stars are aligning and it won’t be long before these concerns I’ve had are worries of the past. One thing is for sure though - I could not have done all of this and what my future holds without the guidance and encouragement of WEN. I’m eternally grateful and honored to have been a part of WEN.

Annual Luncheon and Job Fair Recap

WEN Luncheon

Thank you for joining us at the Women's Employment Network's Annual Luncheon. Your presence and generous day-of contribution helped make this year’s event the second highest grossing luncheon in WEN history! The funds you contributed at the luncheon provide a significant portion of WEN's annual budget and enable us to continue to provide women in Kansas City with the one-on-one support and network they need to succeed.

As you learned from the personal stories of Stacey (watch Stacey's story again here) and Fiona. WEN provides all women in our community the opportunity to experience their defining moments. Whether you've been laid off after an extended career, and feel unsure of what do to next or you're a single mom of 3 who has suddenly lost it all and needs help picking up the pieces - WEN is here. And the reason we are here is thanks to a generous network of staff, volunteers, employers, and donors like YOU.

And, another BIG thank you to our generous sponsors!

Together, we will continue to help women who are striving to create a brighter future for themselves, their families – and our entire community.

Check out pictures from the event on our Facebook page!

Andy Fromm, Co-chair, Phyllis Collins, Board Member and Beth K. Smith Award Winner, Lynnette Williams, WEN Vice President of Programming and Services, Sherry Turner, Founder of OneKC for Women, and Joshua Rowland, Co-Chair

KC Job Fair

The KC Job Fair took place on May 6th at the Sheraton Crown Center and was a huge success! With 61 vendors and 400 participants, this is WEN's largest spring fair yet. Employer surveys were overwhelmingly positive. One company commented "I can't think of anything to suggest to improve. This has been one of the best set up and organized job fairs I've been to. Great turn out!"

Thank you to our amazing media sponsor Hot 103 Jamz for broadcasting live from the Fair and promoting the event. Hot 103 Jamz/Carter Broadcasting attended as a hiring company in 2018 and recruited two excellent candidates. We look forward to working with them for the October Fair!

We look forward to our next KC Job Fair in on October 8th. Employers and recruiters can sign up here.

Donor Spotlight

WEN wants to give a GIANT shout out to Morrill & Janes Bank, our most recent funder! Thank you Shaneé Kimber and Lori Wilkerson for coming by to deliver the $10,000 investment! Grants from foundations and trusts make up a large portion of WEN's budget and we are grateful and humbled by the support we receive from them.

Check out Shaneé and Lori's spotlight in the Independent Banker!

Upcoming Events

Monday - Friday | 9:00am-12:00pm
View the full 2019 Schedule

Our next class begins June 24
Last day to pre-register is June 20

WEN’s Signature Programming is uniquely structured to meet the varying needs and skill levels of women in all stages of employment: those who are unemployed, underemployed, laid off, new to the job market or seeking to re-enter the workplace.

Learn More

Save the Date for More 2019 Events:

Thursday, November 14 - KC's Got Talent

Women's Health Spotlight

Provided in partnership with

For upcoming Food as Medicine Everyday (FAME) program dates, click here!

Explore Your Local Farmers Market

Summer is fast approaching and soon farmers markets will be overflowing with vibrant local produce. Farmers markets are a wonderful way to get out in the sun; spend some quality family time; purchase fresh, high-quality foods; and learn about area farmers.

Use this tool to find a market near you: https://www.cultivatekc.org/comm un ity/find-a-local-mark e t/

Need some ideas about how to use that fresh produce? Join Food as Medicine Everyday’s (FAME) summer salad two-part education series. Learn creative ways to turn everyday produce into nutritious, delicious salads. Discover new ingredients to boost nutrition content. Participants will enjoy cooking demonstrations and tastings of each recipe.

Date and time: Thursday, June 20^th and 27^th, 6:00-7:30pm

Location: Saint Luke’s Muriel I. Kauffman Women’s Heart Center Conference Room

Cost: $25 per person per class ($50 total for the series) – Not required to attend both classes, but HIGHLY recommended.

For more information and to register:

Call: 816-932-5784 / Email: ls c hub e rt@s a i n tlukeskc.or g

Healthy Recipe of the Month: Garden-Fresh Summer Squash Salad

Ingredients:

1 cup zucchini, sliced and quartered
1 tomato, diced
1 clove garlic, peeled & minced
1/2 cup fresh basil leaves, finely chopped
2 tablespoons fresh oregano, finely chopped
2 tablespoons fresh parsley, finely chopped
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Dressing Ingredients:

1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
1 clove garlic, peeled & minced
1 teaspoon finely chopped fresh herbs, (oregano, parsley, basil, or combination)
1 teaspoon finely diced shallot or red onion
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon black pepper

Directions:

In a medium bowl, combine beans, zucchini, tomato, garlic, basil, oregano, parsley, salt and pepper. Toss gently.
Combine all dressing ingredients in bowl and whisk together. NOTE: For a more blended dressing, pulse a few times in a single-serve blender cup.
Add dressing to the salad mixture and mix. Marinate salad for at least 30 minutes in the refrigerator before serving.