Founded by Toni Schmid in 1997, Work Options for Women, Inc. (WOW) began with little more than donated office space and a commercial kitchen. Its mission? To help homeless and low-income women gain the skills and self-confidence they need to work their way out of the cycle of poverty and into self-sufficiency. Pursuant to that goal, WOW formed a partnership with one of Denver’s premier chefs, Jane Berryman, and created an innovative job training and social services program focused on instruction in the culinary arts.

The program, which received a $15,000 Compassion Fund grant, covers topics such as kitchen safety, sanitation, health regulations and catering. The students also attend life skills classes and receive support that helps them overcome domestic violence, inadequate housing, poor medical care and insufficient transportation. Finally, students receive job placement and follow-up services to ensure long-term employment and stability.

Since the program’s inception, ninety percent of WOW graduates found steady employment with enough income to stay off of welfare.

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For more information on Work Options for Women, please contact:
Work Options for Women
1200 Federal Boulevard
Denver, CO 80204
phone: 720.944.1917
web site: www.workoptions.org