Spring is a time of renewal, of new beginnings, and brings with it a sense that something better is coming. It is fitting that the launch of our new PHEBE client cohort within our Financial Stability program coincided with the start of spring. PHEBE stands for Persistence, Hope and Endurance in overcoming Barriers to Equity. The cohort is an entirely new offering from WRC, responding to the community’s needs.

This program helps women like Janelle* to realize a better financial future for themselves and their family. A woman in her 30s with a young special-needs child, Janelle was eating into her savings every month. She was not understanding how even with her salary she was spending more than she could support. After working with the volunteer financial coach, she saw that she had spent almost $60 a week in coffee/breakfast, and $400 through online shopping without any recollection as to what she purchased. As a result of WRC's financial coaching sessions, Janelle said she would delete the shopping app from her phone and make her own breakfast. Over time she also decided to do meal planning instead of going to the grocery store daily. She became motivated to seek out a potential second job to be able to have more, but also have a “back up” if she were to get laid off. She came up with these solutions on her own, but at the end she felt like she was in control of her own destiny.

Clients like Janelle are the WHY of our work at the Women’s Resource Center, and their experiences are the greatest indicator of the impact you help make happen. Many clients are able to see a paradigm shift in the way they view their own ability to make life better for themselves and their families. They also build resilience to meet current and future challenges.

Your donation makes a real difference in the lives of women right here in Greater Philadelphia.