Women Blessing Women

In March 1995, a group of over 100 women religious met with Bishop James Hoffman to discuss ways in which they could use their gifts together to better respond to the persons most in need in the Toledo area.

In March of 1997 Sister Mary Sue Kennedy, OP, then Vicar for Religious, met with some of the same women religious to focus on these priorities and to narrow them to one or two. The two areas decided upon were women and children. The clear purpose that was established: “to gather the gifts and expertise of the religious and lay women in a volunteer effort to serve and empower poor women and children from the Toledo community. Through education, job training and a strong support system, we hope that they will be able to obtain living wage jobs, overcome the cycle of poverty and raise their children in a safe environment.”  The name Women Blessing Women was chosen because it expressed the mutual blessing that is given to the woman client and the volunteer. A steering committee of approximately 12 women religious was formed.

A director was hired in April 1998. At first Women Blessing Women served the women and children associated with Aurora House (a long-term home for women who have been substance abusers and their children), Bethany House (long-term transitional housing for women and their children who are recovering victims of domestic violence), Sparrow’s Nest (a short-term shelter for homeless women), Project Mustard Seed (a program that helps women improve their job skills) and Family House. Women Blessing Women developed collaborative relationships with the four shelters in which WBW would offer services of literacy and spiritual guidance to the women.

The program grew rapidly and on March 5, 2000, WBW rented a storefront at 534 Lagrange Street in Toledo. The renting of the facility of Lagrange Street was made possible by a three-year grant. The site was a “drop–in” center for women from Toledo who came for Adult Basic Literacy Education and G.E.D. and provided childcare for the participants. Toledo Board of Education collaborated with WBW, and the center was one of their G.E.D sites. An interactive and self-paced computer G.E.D. program was initiated with the donation of used computers. Volunteers provided tutoring. Whitney Adult Education Center of the Toledo Public Schools provided the educational job readiness and personal development workshops. Spiritual retreats directed by the women religious were added to the program.