ENGLEWOOD WOMEN’S CENTER AWARDED GRANT TO ASSIST
MILITARY WOMEN RETURNING FROM IRAQ AND AFGHANISTAN

On October 15th, Women’s Rights Information Center, located at 108 West

Palisade Avenue in Englewood, New Jersey, was awarded a $70,000 grant by Women

United in Philanthropy (WUIP) to launch Project STARS:  Successful Transition and

Achievement for Returning Servicewomen.  This new program will support women

returning to Northern New Jersey following deployment to Iraq and Afghanistan. 

Collaborating partners in the project are Fairleigh Dickinson University,

Bergen County One-Stop Career System and Women Lawyers in Bergen (WLIB).

Project STARS was designed to address the unique needs of women veterans as

they return from active duty.  The three primary areas of focus will be:  1) Academic

Preparedness for those who plan to take advantage of GI Bill Education Subsidies, 2)

Career Services for those seeking employment, and 3) Legal Assistance for those facing

child custody or other family law issues.

A minimum of 30 servicewomen will participate in Project STARS, at no cost,

during the grant year.  Candidates will be identified and referred by the Family

Assistance Center at the Armory in Teaneck, the Office of Veterans Services at FDU,

Veterans Reemployment Services at the Bergen County One Stop, and through other

state and local veterans service providers.

Women United in Philanthropy, which began in 2005, is a giving circle based in Bergen County, New Jersey, with members of all ages from throughout the tri-state area who want to invest charitably and collectively to help local women.  Their mission…To promote and focus the philanthropic power of women to effect change in the lives of women in Bergen County…is closely aligned with The Women’s Center’s goal of helping women provide for themselves and their families and to achieve economic self-sufficiency.

Women’s Rights Information Center (The Women’s Center) was founded 36 years ago as a Bergen County go-to facility for women seeking resources, information, training and support.  The Center has grown and adapted to the changing needs of women in the community and currently offers everything from affordable housing options, English classes, help with citizenship and immigration problems, career counseling and job search assistance, to career clothing and computer training.  During the past year more than 1,050 women have worked with Center counselors and staff to gain the skills and guidance they needed to secure jobs, homes, legal status and the education or training required to earn a living wage.