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.  

Transformations from Inside Out - NDCC Helps Victims of Domestic Violence

A woman you and I personally know experiences domestic violence within her most significant relationship.  According to the Domestic Violence Resource Center, one in four women (25%) has experienced domestic violence in her lifetime.  Between 600,000 and 6 million women are victims of domestic violence each year. Nearly three out of four (74%) Americans personally know someone who is, or has been, a victim of domestic violence, and 30% of Americans say they know a woman who has been physically abused by her husband or boyfriend in the past year. Every year, domestic violence results in almost 100,000 days of hospitalizations, almost 30,000 emergency department visits, and almost 40,000 visits to a physician

But this insidious epidemic is about more than sterile, impersonal numbers.  In fact, this issue is exceptionally personal.  It’s about our sisters, our neighbors, and our best friends.  Domestic violence is about what we tell ourselves and teach our daughters about self-worth - as well as appropriate boundaries.  The one who loves you does not hurt you.

That’s why New Directions Career Center (NDCC) actively seeks, through our relationships with domestic violence shelters, as well as other valued referral sources, to address the career development needs of battered women.  Often women stay in situations of domestic violence longer than they should, because they are afraid they cannot support themselves and their children.  When they take that first, courageous step to leave an unhealthy situation, experts here know it is imperative for them to receive career and job-related guidance designed to empower and lead them into fulfilling and economically self-sustaining careers.

Women who have been domestic violence victims comprise a large percentage of the women we serve.  In fact, more than 50% of the participants in our 105-hour New Directions program, report that they have been victims of domestic violence at some point in their lives. The rate is most likely a little higher than that because some people are embarrassed or don't feel comfortable telling others about the violence they’ve experienced. Occasionally, we have a client who is still being victimized.  In that case, we work with shelters and other agencies to help her secure the assistance she needs.

However, NDCC does more than just empower women to attain and maintain economic self-sufficiency. The Center is a safe harbor, where women are guided by a team of career professionals and licensed counselors to develop a career plan, to learn financial management skills, to learn how to take care of themselves, to believe in themselves, to develop confidence, to identify barriers, and to learn the importance of setting boundaries. We transform women from the inside out, focusing on helping them improve their attitude, demeanor, and appearance in addition to securing job readiness skills, training, coaching, and placement services.  It’s through this holistic approach, that New Directions Career Center empowers women to create the lives they envision and attain a livable wage.

Lives get changed here. 

If you or someone you know might be the victim of domestic violence, get help now. Call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1−800−799−SAFE (7233) or TTY 1−800−787−3224.

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!