YWCA – Employment programme for displaced homemakers

The YWCA ReEntry employment programme in New York, US was established in 1978.  ReEntry enables women to gain the skills, knowledge and confidence they need to enter or re-enter the workforce to support themselves and their families.

Over a six-week period, participants attend workshops covering a range of topics, including: computer training, development of verbal and written business communication skills, introduction to office procedures and life skills.

Toni Cortese, from Barclays Capital initiated conversations with the YWCA to reinstate this programme after the original co-ordinators left the firm.  She recruited 24 colleague volunteers to act as mentors to 12 women from the ReEntry programme.

Once the mentors completed their training they spent up to two hours each week supporting their mentees with their skills development plan and preparing them for interviews to build their confidence and ability to return to work.

This programme resulted in six out of the 12 women securing employment.  One of them said: “I just wanted to let you know that I start work tomorrow at a small law firm as an administrative assistant.  I feel that the seminars you held as well as the computer skills I learned were instrumental in this.  Thank you so much for helping to get me back in the working world….you’ll never know how very much I appreciate your help and guidance.”

The mentors also benefited greatly.  One Barclays Capital colleague told us that “the mentoring actually restored my self esteem.  The two young women I worked with were so enthusiastic about what I had accomplished in my life, and so supportive about my wish to use my experience in a meaningful way, that I blossomed.”

Related projects