October 2020
By Women, For Women
News
Project W Introduces
the Women Connect Discussion Series with
"What Does a More Feminist City Look Like"
On September 30th, Project W hosted a virtual discussion based on the article by The Lily, Click here to read the article . The article highlighted an interview with feminist geographer Leslie Kern and it explored how cities are designed and influenced by our social progress. The interview covered topics such as gender inequity, the value of care work, motherhood and gentrification. Project W members Erica Barbuto and Lindsay Demczko facilitated a discussion that shared perspectives, ask insightful questions, allowed participants to learn from each other, and applied the discussion to the communities within Delaware County. Topics ranged from the positive and negative consequences of economizing unpaid care work through outsourcing tasks such as child care and grocery shopping to the severe limitations public transportation has on women in our community. In the discussion, members reflected on some of the privileges they have (such as having an able body to utilize subways and regional rails) to dreaming up what the ideal feminist city would look like. 

As the first session of the Women Connect Discussion Series for Project W this year, we hope to build upon these types of engagements with our own community.
Project W Members Complete Final 2020 Grant Reviews
In September the three grant committees of Project W - Family, Education, and Health met via Zoom for their final Grant reviews of 2020. Members brought additional research to the thoughtful discussions before submitting their final votes.



Education Committee
led by Margot Patterson




Health Committee discussion guided by Dania Green
‌




Julie Eble led the Family Committee final review
Grant Finalists Announced
We are pleased to announce the three grant finalists for the 2020 Project W Grant Program. The finalists will be awarded grants totaling $48,500 at the Annual Meeting (via Zoom) on October 28th. Members will vote prior to that night to award the "big winner" the top grant of $29,100; the two runners up will receive $9,700. The three grant finalists are:

DCCC Educational Foundation - New Choices Career Development
Grant proposal: to assist women affected by layoffs caused by COVID-19 closures through individualized career counseling, training plans and a laptop training program.

Delaware County Women Against Rape (DC WAR)
Grant proposal: to provide continued counseling and pilot a counseling program for women in prison who have reported sexual abuse prior to incarceration.

Valley Youth House Committee, Inc.
Grant proposal: to help young women ages 18 - 24 retain housing and stability following exit from foster care or homelessness.

We thank all of the grant applicants for the impactful work they do for women and families in Delaware County. Our members have learned so much and appreciate your dedication and commitment.

Please look for an invitation to participate in the virtual Annual Meeting on the evening of October 28th.
Member Spotlight
Meet Patty Bassett
Patty Bassett is constantly looking for ways to become involved and help her community. Patty joined Project W because she loved the idea of a women's giving circle helping local women and children in need. As a Founding Member of Project W, Patty has been a valuable member of the Education Committee. She has really enjoyed the opportunity to award excellent organizations doing amazing work. Patty also appreciates being able to directly impact individuals, like when Project W sponsored Christmas gifts and wrapped them for a family receiving support through The Breathing Room Foundation, a recipient of a 2019 Project W Grant. Patty also supports Horizons at EA, Camphill Foundation, Williams College, and The Episcopal Academy.

With COVID-19 raging through our communities and affecting so many economically Patty knew she had to do something to help. This is when she founded Together We Can, TWC, a grassroots effort of friends and neighbors helping families in need by providing meals, groceries, and other essential supplies. TOGETHER WE CAN is a registered non-profit, 501(c)(3) organization focused on tackling food insecurity in our local communities one family at a time.

To learn more go to: Together We Can



Patty Bassett shown in the middle with her son Chris and daughter Lauren.
Key Dates

October 14 - Be on the lookout for an email on Wednesday, October 14th. All of the information you will need to cast your vote for the grant finalists will be available, including the online ballot.
October 23 - Midnight deadline to cast your vote
October 28 - Annual Meeting via Zoom at 7pm. Results of 2020 grant recipients will be announced.  
Grantee Updates
Women's Resource Center would like to invite Project W members and their friends to a meaningful WRC virtual workshop on resilience by a premier mindfulness expert in our region, Due Quach, CEO of Calm Clarity.


  • Called "A Mind-Hacker's Guide to Leadership in Times of Crisis," it will take place Thursday October 22 from 4pm to 6pm on Zoom. 

  • This interactive and experiential virtual presentation sheds light on the impact of stress and adversity on the brain and provides exercises that participants can use to proactively steer brain development to enhance resilience, agility, and clarity so they can handle crises more effectively.

  • Participants will learn how three primary patterns of brain activation affect how people feel, think, act, and make decisions and how to use mindfulness practices to optimize brain functioning and harness their inner wisdom and strength to face even the toughest of challenges.


  • We are waiving the $25 ticket price for Project W members and their friends with the purchase code WRCGuest at checkout. 

  • We hope you and others would like to attend and learn resilience techniques, especially useful during this COVID age!
Sponsorships
Project W would like to thank the Von Seldeneck Gift Fund for their generous sponsorship gift.
Be Part of the Project W Story
Women can have a significant impact by pooling our resources and recognizing organizations that make a difference for women in Delaware County. In the process, YOU will be in the fellowship of other community-minded women and learn more about the many organizations that enrich and improve our daily lives.

Be Part of the Project W Story