Transformation

Our Cause

The Center of Wellness for Urban Women is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization founded in 2007. Our mission is to provide programs and services to encourage and empower women and families to live healthier lives through prevention, education, advocacy, and care.

  

We acknowledge the social determinants of health provide barriers for women to address their health needs.  Through the 7 Dimensions of Wellness, we believe we can assist women in improving their health outcomes while also improving neighborhoods and communities.

  

We are tremendously grateful for the support of our donors in 2013.  We hope you will continue your support in 2014 as we plan to expand our programs and staff!

Miss Mary's Wellness and Community Garden

Education, Wellness, and Sustainable Living All in One Space

 We are very proud of our process with Miss Mary's Wellness and Community Garden in the Riverside Neighborhood.  In 3 years, we've been able to transform the space into both a wellness space with plans of physical fitness activities like yoga as well as teaching how to start your own garden.

  

This is a pilot project.  We plan to replicate this project in other neighborhoods by renovating houses and spaces to create neighborhood based wellness centers offering assistance to neighbors in how to cook healthy meals, stress reduction, nutrition counseling, garden education, and more.

  

In 2014, we will seek contributions and funding to support the garden education programs at the space along with our "yoga in the garden" project.

  

We thank our donors for their support in 2013 in beginning the ground work for a sustainable green space for the neighborhood. 

  

Miss Mary's Wellness and Community Garden Donors

  

THANK YOU TO OUR NEIGHBORS!  They have helped with security, cutting the grass, building the fence, and electricity!   

7 Days of Wellness, Sisters Together, and More!

Programs and events designed to impact health outcomes

Sisters Together: Move More, Eat Better is our obesity prevention program that encourages women, 18 and over, to increase their daily physical activity and to eat healthier.  We are very excited about our partnership with the Weight Control Information Network (WIN). WIN is an information service of the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, a part of the National Institutes of Health.

 

Through this partnership CWUW will be able to connect with other organizations providing the Sisters Together program, we will be able to work with WIN on reviewing brochures, tip sheets, etc for use, and MORE!

 

This year, we held walking events on the Canal thanks to the support of JEWEL Human Services and Kroger.

 

We are currently seeking funding to sustain this vital program.

 

 

 

Group Walk with our Sisters Together team in Spring of 2013

 

 

We had a week of celebrating wellness along with promoting the 7 Dimensions of Wellness with both online and offline events and activities.  Our Annual Clothing Drive and Exchange, Sisters Together walking event, and our open house all took place during our wellness week in April.

 

Thank you to Marion County Public Health Department, Just Cool,
 and The Damien Center for their sponsorship of our wellness week.  

 

Our wellness week in 2014 will correpsond with the National Women's Health Week in May.  Sponsorships are available.  Contact Laura Roman for more information.

 

 

 

 

 

Social Media is plays a major part in how CWUW seeks to improve health literacy and to provide health information to women.  Our Meatless Monday program is a online health initiative promoting heart healthy recipes and helping our followers cut meat out one day per week.  This initiative has been promoted through our facebook and twitter pages.  We will soon conduct cooking demostrations and other meatless events.  We've partnered with the Central Library to promote Meatless Monday Indy.

 

Our facebook page has over 5100 likes!  Our twitter account has over 1600 followers.  Social media has been a vital way to share information with not only our participants but connect with other organizations serving women.  We are also on pinterest and instagram.

 

Our blog has female bloggers from all over the country sharing their wellness stories.  Its a way to connect women with one another as they seek to live healthier lives.

 

In 2014, we seek to improve our brand with an improved website and social media strategy.

Sustainability is the Key

Strategic Fundraising, Sustainability Planning, Grant Seeking

It is very important to CWUW that we continue to develop a sustainable nonprofit that is fiscally responsible.  We understand the importance of having diversified funding streams and developing strong donor relationships. 

  

In 2014, CWUW will aggressively seeking grants to support our programming while strengthening our fundraising efforts with events like our Life Jam fundraising event in November of 2014.

Donors are important as well. We will continue to keep our donors informed and assured.

  

We thank you for your generosity in 2013 and we hope you continue to support CWUW in 2014. 

  

Keeping the women of Indy healthy means providing effective, innovative, and evidence based programming.  We believe empowered women leads toward empowered families, neighborhoods, and communities.

Board Commitment

Center of Wellness for Urban Women Board of Directors are committed to the mission of the nonprofit and are committed to responsible governance.  

Rhonda L. Bayless, Executive Director/Founder

From the Executive Director:  Thank you for a great year! We've seen much needed growth of our programs and services.  In 2014, we will continue to work with Keep Indianapolis Beautiful and will provide our 7 Dimensions of Wellness Program to the participants of the Indianapolis Healthy Start Program.

  

Our mission is to empower through the "teach a person to fish" model.  If we provide the tools, resources, and opportunities, we will see women and their families make healthy changes to impact their health outcomes.

  

Please be a part of our growth. Funding is needed.  When we are fully and adequately funded, we're able to impact obesity rates. We're able to increase access to fresh fruits and vegetables, We're able to help women improve their mental wellness and reduce stress which has a negative influence on over-all health. The return on investment is great!

  

CWUW is vital to women's health not only in Indianapolis but in urban communities throughout Indiana. Our nonprofit has been connecting with women across the country who'd like to see similar programs in their area.   Help us grow!

  

Sincerely,

  

Rhonda L. Bayless

Executive Director

Center of Wellness for Urban Women