Pathways to Progress is the first step to making meaningful and measurable difference in the status of women and girls in Western New York.

 

This initiative establishes a baseline of understanding by analyzing existing data and collecting new insights and perspectives from a series of conversations with women and girls.

 

Forward-looking policy scenarios and performance indicators will prescribe change, guide investment and policy action, and hold our leaders and ourselves accountable.

As we begin 2010, this is a pivotal moment for Western New York and for the WNY Women's Fund. The recent financial crisis has affected us all, but here in our area the impact has been disproportionately hard.  Buffalo is now the third-poorest large city in the U.S, with two out of three of our poverty-level families headed by women.  Clearly, this statistic is unacceptable, and we must do whatever we can to improve it.

Strong women make strong families, and strong families are the building blocks of strong communities.  It is important for us to recognize that when women are the only pillars of the family, their problems are our problems, too, and their successes impact us all.
 
Given the current economic situation, the WNYWF needs your donation more than ever, so we can continue to be the primary source for grant-making, advocacy, and research into the needs of poor women and girls locally. Often alone and without adequate resources, they must face the problems of economic self-sufficiency, family health, education, aging, domestic violence and safety. All of these are complex issues needing long-term solutions - and that's what we are working on. 
 
Your dollars help us transform the lives of some low-income women and girls now living in the margins of society.  If an online donation is more convenient for you, please visit our website at www.wnywomensfund.org, or click on the link below.

 

P.S. Please note that your annual fund gift is an unrestricted donation to the organization's operating fund.  Your contribution is 100% tax deductible, no good or services will be provided.