Pre-employment Program Gives Triad Women a Boost of Confidence

A program that runs February 5-28 at the Women's Resource Center in Greensboro is helping displaced homemakers improve their job prospects.

Since 1996, the Women's Resource Center in Greensboro has helped more than 2,000 women in the Triad see themselves in a new light.  Lucy Wellmaker is director of “New Choices,” a pre-employment program that helps displaced homemakers re-enter the workforce.

"A displaced homemaker is someone who has been at home and dependent on the income of someone else in the household and now that income has changed due to separation, divorce, maybe he has been laid off or has had a decrease in pay. As long as they in that situation, they would qualify for the program."  Says Wellmaker.

Wellmaker says the free program attracts a wide range of women from various socio-economic backgrounds, education levels and ages. Twenty-six women began the bi-weekly program Tuesday in Greensboro. Wellmaker says they will learn a variety of skills to help them become self-sufficient.

"It's a 40 hour program that covers topics such as resume building, interviewing skills, and networking. We also include sessions on budgeting and self-esteem,” says Wellmaker.

Wellmaker says “We help women understand their transferable skills through their homemaking skills, through their volunteer positions and through their efforts in the community and help them understand how they can transfer those skills into the workforce."

The Women's Resource Center in Greensboro also monitors participant's progress for several months after the program ends. The next session of the “New Choices” program begins April 9. Registration will take place in March.

To register or for more information contact:

Lucy Wellmaker, New Choices Program Director

(336) 275-6090 ext. 223

Lucy@womenscentergso.org