Paying It Forward

This time of year, I like to take a moment to reflect on the year that will shortly be behind us to appreciate all that we’ve accomplished by working together to change lives. What gladdens me more than anything is thinking about the domino-like impact those changed lives have in the world, because what we do doesn’t stop when the women who complete our programs walk out the door. The impact we make carries forward.

When a woman finishes one of our programs and has found a better job, has been inspired to build better networks within her life, or has a newfound sense of empowerment, those changes in her life have a ripple effect on those around her. Her daughters see her pride and emulate it. Her co-workers learn from her example and become inspired. Her community benefits from her newfound talent. An average of 70-75% of the women who come through our programs obtain better-paying jobs that allow them to contribute to their community’s economy – and many of those women use their newfound financial success to make a difference in others’ lives through their own willingness to donate time, money, and energy to the causes in which they believe.

I look at our efforts and our programs. I look at the lives that we touch, and I see the ripples on the water spreading ever outward. I am proud to be a part of an organization that has such a tremendous impact on the community. I know we could not do it alone, so I am grateful - to everyone who contributes time and energy helping us to be successful.

I am grateful to the members of our board and our committees who demonstrate a willingness to continue making a difference and to the people of the community who support our efforts with their time, talents, and donations. I am grateful to our partners, who work with us to ensure that we can achieve our goals by providing additional support to the women who come here.  I am grateful to the staff at New Directions, who tirelessly continue to roll up their sleeves and make the magic happen. Most of all, I’m grateful to the women who find the courage to walk through our door, ready and willing to face the challenges that come with peering inside and making brave and often difficult changes in their lives.

Whatever your cause for celebrating this time of year, I hope you find joy and happiness in the season, and I hope you will take a moment to stop and recognize what we have accomplished together.  

New Directions Indeed!

Springtime.

It signifies strength, growth, rejuvenation. Can you think of a more appropriate time for New Directions Career Center to hold its annual Women of Promise fundraiser?

Or for that matter, can you think of a more appropriate honoree than Stephanie Barry?

After all, we’re called “New Directions” for a reason.

On April 19 Stephanie was recognized as our 2012 Woman of Promise, and when you hear her story, you’ll understand why she was chosen as this year’s winner. She changed her life from something merely to be endured, with “dead-end jobs, a terrible marriage, and no self-esteem,” to something to be celebrated. Quite literally, she learned to live her dreams. Or as she put it, “I felt empowered to move forward and meet my destiny.”

 

In 2007 when she entered the New Directions program, she was at a personal and professional low point in her life, with marital problems and a job that was going nowhere. “I went through the daily routine of my life as if in a dense, impenetrable fog,” Stephanie said.

But New Directions teaches women strategies that can change their lives. Stephanie says of her time at New Directions: “We learned the skills that would make us competitive in today’s challenging economy — everything from professionalism to self-marketing to effective interviewing. Our plan for change, for achieving our career goals, was very real by the time we graduated.”

And with those skills she gained something else: confidence and the ability to imagine a new life for herself. “New Directions Career Center (NDCC) taught us all a great deal about dreaming big and creating the lives we envisioned,” said Stephanie.

After graduating from NDCC, she began taking graphic design classes at Central Ohio Technical College and Columbus State Community College, eventually earning a certificate in digital media.

But that was just the beginning for Stephanie. As she put it, “These successes prompted me to dream bigger and bigger. I dreamed of Hawaii and a much different life.” Realizing she had outgrown her marriage, Stephanie and her husband divorced; she accepted a position as an instructional designer and earned her master’s degree at the University of Hawaii.

After three and a half joyous years living in Hawaii, she made a new home for herself in Silicon Valley and now enjoys a fulfilling career as an instructional designer, creating online classes for Altius Education. And her journey isn’t over. “I am still a girl who dreams big,” Stephanie says.

And why shouldn’t she? Why shouldn’t any of us? Stephanie may have received this year’s Woman of Promise award in recognition of her amazing accomplishments, but she could be any of us, any woman seeking self-sufficiency, a new beginning … a new direction.

What Is a Woman of Promise?

It’s springtime and things are abuzz here at New Directions Career Center. In just two weeks (April 19^th, 6-8 p.m.), we’ll announce our 2012 Woman of Promise at our annual signature fundraising event. 

The award winner embodies what NDCC is all about. To learn the stories of graduates who have changed their lives through hard work and determination is to know what a Woman of Promise really is.

Bonnie, our 2011 Woman of Promise, grew up in an environment where not much was expected of women. She struggled through college with an undiagnosed learning disability and worked a blue collar job with no vision for her future. During the “New Directions” program, she learned that she had value and things to offer the world. She graduated determined to have a career doing something she loved. Bonnie returned to school and became a certified travel planner. After working her way up to management, she pushed herself in an entirely new direction and started her own successful business.

Bonnie is an inspiration for us all: “The New Directions Career Center set me on a path that enabled me to see and activate a new vision of myself.”  

Many women come to New Directions Career Center during a time of transition, searching for a message of hope. Jacqueline, our 2010 Woman of Promise, described herself as “lost and fearful of reaching out for help” when she enrolled in NDCC after leaving an abusive marriage. At the Center, she learned how to set healthy boundaries in her personal relationships, embrace the  support network offered to her, and focus on her career goals. She worked a part-time job while continuing her paralegal education, obtained full-time employment as an Insurance Account Assistant and set her sights on becoming a family law attorney.

The stories of our previous Women of Promise honorees offer only a glimpse of the Center’s impact. With over 60,000 graduates and more than 30 years of experience providing quality career development at an affordable cost, the NDCC community has much to celebrate. Many women enroll at New Directions Career Center after hearing about how it has helped someone they know succeed. They arrive hopeful. They graduate with solid goals, momentum and confidence in themselves. The Center’s network of volunteers, motivational speakers and donors includes many graduates with their own stories of outstanding achievement.

I hope you will plan to join us on April 19^th, at 6:00 p.m. for the 16^th annual Women of Promise fundraiser, our biggest event of the year. Enjoy live entertainment, cocktails & hors d’oeuvres, and live & silent auctions offerings throughout the evening. You’ll meet community leaders, staff and supporters as we all come together to recognize the inspiring journey of our 2012 honoree. Celebrating the accomplishments of one person helps us each realize our own limitless potential.

Warm Holiday Wishes from All of Us at New Directions Career Center

The holidays are a time when we can reflect on the year behind us and take comfort in the company of the family and friends who have touched our lives. When I reflect back on the year New Directions Career Center has experienced, I am awed by the realization that by working here, I get to experience the true spirit of this wonderful holiday season every day of the year.

Each day, I have the privilege of witnessing the positive impact of the generosity of others. Each day, I am lucky enough to see the ways in which lives are transformed. I get to know incredibly inspiring women who are overcoming tremendous odds to achieve success.  I am lucky to be able to celebrate victories with these women when they accomplish something that makes them stronger, gives them pride, and puts them back in control of their lives.

And every day, I am grateful for the role I am able to play and I am continually motivated to find new ways to keep making a difference in the lives of women in our community.

2011 has been a special year for New Directions Career Center. We have seen amazing successes with the women who have participated in our programs. We’ve developed lasting partnerships with organizations that share our view of a more equal, more accessible future for women. I’ve had the unique opportunity of getting to know people like Gloria Feldt, who inspire me to believe it’s all possible.

From our Woman of Promise honoree, Bonnie Philips, to our Bostwick Scholarship winner, Marci Nugent, the results of our efforts are visible and tangible. We say it all the time, but I’ve never been more grateful for the truth of it: Lives Get Changed Here.

As the holidays approach, I hope each of you will take the time to hug your loved ones. Cherish the memories you are making. And take the time to reflect on all that is good in your lives.

All of us at New Directions Career Center wish you a very blessed holiday season and a new year filled with peace, joy and prosperity.

Several Leaders – One Team - Changed Lives

Last year, New Directions Career Center celebrated 30 years of service to Central Ohio job seekers. We celebrated the thousands of inspiring clients who discovered themselves within the sanctuary of our Center.  We celebrated transformed lives and realized dreams.  In short, we celebrated the generations of women transformed by passion coupled with hard work.

Hard work is something the staff at New Directions Career Center knows a thing or two about.   We have great leaders that work together to achieve mended lives, build confidence levels, discover hidden dreams, and help women nurture and realize those dreams. We recognize that every woman who passes through New Directions Career Center has a story. We assist each one to complete their next chapter with direction and focus.

People talk about building teams, working as a team, and being a team player, but few understand how to create the experience of teamwork or how to develop an effective team. NDCC strives every day to prove that we understand we are part of something larger than ourselves. Our success rate proves that our team is successful. What contributes to this success?

We communicate. We collaborate. We coordinate. We embrace the responsibility to work together effectively. By understanding the roles and responsibilities each of us has, we can apply our knowledge to ensure all aspects of our goals are met. We work with our clients to encourage self-confidence, participation and forward thinking. We help remove barriers to promote value, dreams and personal success.

Each woman that enters the New Directions Program is treated with respect. Some women experience worth for the first time. Each individual’s purpose is discovered in new and innovative ways. We work together to provide healthy appreciation for diversity, problem solving and significant discoveries.

Everything we do is geared toward delivering our clients a successful path to freedom and empowerment. At Women of Promise, our annual fundraiser recognizing exceptional women who overcame tremendous obstacles to achieve personal as well as professional success, we witness firsthand the power of individual transformation.  It’s not uncommon to hear honorees say, “I was encouraged to dream without any barriers”, “I learned that I had value.  I had something to offer the world”, and “I learned that I had to take care of myself before I could be prepared to care for others," only motivates us to do more, care more, and reach further.

With 100% of our graduates completing a career plan and over 70% attaining economic self-sufficiency, NDCC is proud of its leadership and teamwork. Our dedication to embrace life and value all people is what makes us endeavor to work together even harder to guarantee a victorious future for every woman who participates in our programs. 

At New Directions Career Center, we have clear expectations of our team and our clients. NDCC delivers career counseling, employment-related education, life skills training and job placement services. The importance of each team member’s contribution starts with their ability to be visionary leaders. (Visit our staff bios to learn about each significant person that works to bring empowerment and belief into the lives of women.)

Ultimately, the Center’s cutting-edge career development services empower individuals to achieve their goals through fulfilling, economically sustaining employment.  But it’s about more than a job.  Simply put, our mission advocates each woman’s right to work her chosen passion.  Lives get changed here!

Change Lives and Have Fun Doing It!

At New Directions Career Center, your contributions go a long way toward making a difference in many lives. We use the funds we receive to provide programs, training, and support for women in transition, and we experience measurable and sustainable success. I know how difficult it has been in this economy for people to afford the basics like food and fuel, so I’m touched and often amazed at the level of support we receive from individuals and organizations in our community. I think people feel good about giving to New Directions because they know they’re making a great investment in the future.

We do try to make fundraising fun. Last week, we held A New Season, A New Direction Party, featuring Shawn Ireland from The Shawn Ireland Show (S.I.S). The party was co-hosted by The S.I.S. Club Care Corps, Jessica Germain from Germain Honda of Dublin and The Key4Women professional group. We enjoyed appetizers, desserts and wine & spring cocktail tastings, as well as a silent auction and entertainment. What a fabulous night!

If you missed out on the opportunity to attend, we have a number of other events coming up this summer that will give you the chance to have some fun while helping change lives. Here’s a few to add to your calendar:

Tuesday June 7, 2011

Shop from the City's Best Closets!
10:00 AM - 7:00 PM (Wine/Hors d'oeuvres 5-7 PM)
Second Chance Consignment Boutique (Grandview)

Enjoy a special opportunity to shop this unique ladies' consignment boutique. All day (June 7) 20% of your purchase price will be donated to NDCC! Bring a friend and enjoy shopping for classic & trendy styles, high-end designer clothes, vintage fashions, and accessories! From 5-7 PM, enjoy wine and hors d'oeuvres, & hear from a graduate of New Directions Career Center. 

Saturday August 6, 2011

Wine Tasting
7:00 – 10:00 PM
The Danter's

Join us for a fun evening with seven different and unique wines to compliment tapas and desserts in the home of NDCC Executive Director, Linda Danter and her husband, Ken. A silent auction and raffle are also featured. Limited tickets are available – cost is $75 per person.

Monday August 22, 2011

Driving for New Directions
1:00 PM Shotgun Start for this Golf Classic
Rattlesnake Ridge Golf Club

Rattlesnake Ridge Golf Club will host the Center's 3rd Annual Golf Classic. The event will finish with awards, prizes, appetizers and a raffle. Individuals and/or foursomes are welcome, as well as Corporate and Hole sponsorships. Cost is$125 per individual or $500 for a foursome.

How NDCC Is Making a Difference

Those of you who know me know how passionate I am about our work at New Directions Career Center.  Not a day goes by that there isn’t something I see or hear from a client that inspires me and helps me to feel like what I’m doing is worthwhile!  How many people can say that about their work?  In particular, we get powerful feedback from the women who complete our 105-hour New Directions Program wherein participants work through an intensive and holistic self-analysis of their interests and skills as well as how to overcome barriers to their education and employment. The goal is to empower women to change their situations for the better, and achieve economic self-sufficiency.

Most of those we help are struggling financially. Some do not have a GED, others have a lot of education and strong professional experience, but are living at or below the federal poverty guideline. The thing these women have in common is that they are scared – afraid they will not be able to support themselves and their children. They may be dealing with issues of self-esteem after a divorce or an abusive relationship, or they may have a spouse who has suffered an injury that rendered them incapable of providing for the family. They may have let their professional experience lapse to be stay-at-home mothers. Whatever the life transition they are experiencing, at New Directions Career Center, we help women set goals and create a step-by-step plan for meeting those goals. Then we put people in touch with relevant resources, such as opportunities for scholarships, work-study programs, loans, and paid internships.

For our clients, our focus is not just on getting a job but in having a career that fulfills each woman professionally as well as providing financial stability for her and her family. The most common feedback I receive from program participants sounds something like: “I went through the New Directions program and it changed my life! It really helped me to have realistic career goals for myself, and to believe in my ability to achieve whatever goal I set for myself.  It helped me to know how to get from where I am to where I want to be, to map out a realistic path for myself, and to know about the resources available to help me achieve it.”

After completing a program, we continue to be part of our clients’ lives. After graduation, we follow-up and actively track the progress of each participant for 18 months. Then we encourage them to check in with us and let us know how they are doing. It is extremely satisfying to see women take these skills, knowledge, tools and resources, make them their own, and put them to work to achieve financial independence.

Lives get changed here!