"Giving thanks is the language of a grateful heart, sometimes expressed with words and other times expressed by deeds."

Dr. Jeanne Porter King

WoW invites you to attend our Celebration of Success event on December 9th.

At this event, we recognize the women who reach their goals of becoming independent. As success looks different for everyone, we believe it is motivating for the community to see women celebrated and awarded for even the smallest step on the path toward self-reliance. Members of the local government and businesses help us to recognize our ladies, ensuring further ties between our new neighbors and their new home! This event is free of charge and open to the public. Please come and join the celebration!

WoW is eagerly looking for a Development Director to join our team! Please see the job description below and share the posting. If you or anyone you know may be interested, please email a resume and cover letter to candice@womenofworld.org.

Women's Entrepreneurship Conference

WoW was honored to participate in a panel discussion held during Global Entrepreneurship Week, hosted at the Global Business Resource Center at The Mill. Collaborating with UCCD, this joint effort resulted in a dynamic series of events, comprising training workshops and engaging panel discussions curated for a group of 25 international delegates visiting Utah. During this panel, our team contributed insights on the pivotal role that's played by non-governmental and grassroots organizations in fostering and empowering women-owned businesses. We also discussed the common societal barriers of women's progress within workplaces and the entrepreneurial spheres. It was a privilege to be a part of this insightful dialogue and to learn from the diverse experiences, varied perspectives, and wealth of knowledge shared by fellow panelists. At WoW, we continue to aid our clients in surmounting these challenges while extending unwavering support to individuals embarking on their entrepreneurial journeys.

We were also honored to promote our upcoming December event on PBS Utah and ABC4 Utah. One of our honorees also joined us on air to share her journey and highlight how WoW has been instrumental in helping her achieve self-reliance goals. You can catch both segments and hear her empowering story by following the links below!

HEART AND HANDS

WoW congratulates Debbie Mintowt-Czyz and Tracy Thompson, two members of our Board of Directors. These ladies were honored on Utah Philanthropy Day for their significant contributions to WoW's organization through their volunteer service. A luncheon was held in honor of award recipients. All in attendance were inspired by good people doing good work for good causes.

The Salt Lake Tribune Article

We were honored to have the Salt Lake Tribune write an article about WoW and all our accomplishments over the past years. The article includes our Founder's story on how WoW came to be and some key data points and success stories from our important work. A short excerpt from the article reads:

"Samira Harnish, founder and executive director of the nonprofit Women of the World, works out of South Salt Lake — where many of the refugees her group helps live, she said. According to Women of the World’s 2022 impact report, the nonprofit served 185 new clients last year, helping secure scholarships for 14 and jobs for 30. The group has logged 624 hours of practical English lessons, 40 workshops under 14 different themes, 1,093 volunteer hours, and $456,000 saved through customized services and advocacy."

Read more about it at the link below (you may need to copy the link directly into your browser to get by the paywall): https://www.sltrib.com/artsliving/2023/11/19/refugees-industry-arts-beer-how-do/ 

Art Therapy Workshop

As part of WoW's workshops on Health Literacy, we held an Art Therapy class. Our clients enjoyed themselves as they created and socialized together. Scientific studies show that creative expression through art can help people who are dealing with anxiety, depression, and more serious diseases. The emphasis is not on artistic skill or proficiency but rather on the act of creation itself. This creates a non-judgmental space where individuals can freely explore their inner worlds without fear of criticism.
Art therapy plays a pivotal role in promoting mental health and well-being by utilizing creative expression as a means of communication and healing. Through various artistic mediums, individuals can explore and process their emotions, thoughts, and experiences in a non-verbal way. This therapeutic approach fosters self-discovery, encourages self-expression, and enables individuals to gain insights into their feelings and behaviors. Art therapy not only enhances emotional resilience but also promotes relaxation, self-esteem, and a sense of empowerment, offering a unique avenue for individuals to navigate and overcome psychological difficulties. We loved watching our clients create and enjoy each other's company while painting!

Thanksgiving Dinner

WoW would like to express heartfelt gratitude to Amy Sunderland and the Strong family for opening their homes and welcoming our clients with open arms for Thanksgiving dinner. Their warmth and hospitality made a truly special and memorable holiday. The joy of sharing a meal in the comfort of these homes created memories filled with laughter, love, and gratitude.

We want to extend our heartfelt gratitude to all of WoW's supporters whose generosity and support have made an immense impact on our cause. Your contributions have been instrumental in enabling us to continue our mission and make a real difference in the lives of those we serve. We deeply appreciate your belief in our work, as your generosity empowers us to create positive change and reach our goals. Thank you for your invaluable support and for being an integral part of our journey towards a brighter and better future for all.

Saying Goodbye

Last month we bid farewell to two of our valued colleagues who are moving on to new adventures. We want to take a moment to express our gratitude for the outstanding contributions Roxie Harshbarger and Ghinwa Al-Hneidi made during their time with WoW. Their dedication, hard work, and enthusiasm have not only greatly benefited our clients, they also added to the success of our team.

We wish them success and all the best in their new endeavors!

WISE Grant

For the past year, Women of the World has received funding from Salt Lake County as a Workforce Inclusion and Successful Employment (WISE) grantee for career coaching and navigation. However, the Salt Lake County Council voted to cut all future funding for this program in 2024. We want to share our sincere appreciation with all those who contacted their representatives to advocate for WoW.

Fundraising is pivotal for our non-profit organization. It is not simply a goal, it is a commitment to the women we serve. WoW is actively engaged in securing additional avenues of funding through grants, partnerships, and donations. We recognize the vital role financial support plays in sustaining our mission to empower women from all nations to achieve independence, economic success, and a voice in the community.

Building Bridges: Unleash the Power of Social Media

WoW was excited to attend another part of Building Bridges events focusing on the power of Social Media in collaborating with the community. The WoW team was paired with a local Utah Influencer, Mckenna Rose Brown, to help refocus our social media efforts and give advice on how to attract a larger reach. If you are not already following WoW on instagram or Facebook please follow along as we start to work together with this new added support!

Health Literacy Workshops

Your Health is Our Priority

December 1 - Nutrition

December 8 - Prevention

December 15 - Holistic Care

2024 Fashion Show Save the Date

By sponsoring Women of the World's Fashion Show & Gala Event, you are making a direct contribution to supporting forcibly displaced women in Salt Lake City, Utah. Every year we rely on the generosity of our local community members (individual, corporate, and foundation) to support us in this vital work. If you or your company is interested in becoming a sponsor for the upcoming show, please email Candice, at candice@womenofworld.org.