Womens Employment Network

WEN has a critical role to play in supporting women who are disproportionately impacted by systemic racism and patriarchal structures as they strive to reach their fullest potential beyond unemployment, underemployment, and cyclical poverty. WEN provides more than help finding work; we also promote personal development. At WEN, women learn to see their strengths, establish attainable goals, and work toward debt reduction so they can build financial stability. Since 1986, WEN has empowered women to create a brighter future for themselves, their families, and the community we share. WEN is meeting the need in our community by providing women with no-cost access to employment preparation and financial coaching. Below are the outcomes achieved during our most recent program year (2023-2024): WEN served 1,115 unduplicated clients, including 878 new clients. 112 unduplicated clients received one-on-one financial coaching. WEN hosted 122 personal and professional development workshops for 1,501 attendees. 47 WEN clients reported that they increased their monthly net income; 14 said they increased their net worth. WEN serves underserved, underemployed, and unemployed women living in the Greater Kansas City Metropolitan Area. WEN clients are 36% Black, 33% white, 16% Latiné, 11% Asian, and 4% indigenous. The women we serve are ages 20-64 (with an average age of 49) and live in the KC metro area (74% in MO, 26% in KS). 32% of WEN clients live below the federal poverty level and 89% are very low income, earning less than 50% of the Kansas City metro's median income. 12% self-report that they live with a disability. WEN continues to offer the three-week Three Pillars to Success in-person course (est. 2022), empowering women to focus on themselves, recommit to their goals, and renew their passion as they take steps toward financial independence. During the 2023-2024 fiscal year, for WEN On The Road, WEN staff focused on deepening their engagement with clients. WEN's efforts paid off: 30% of clients had three or more interactions with staff - an increase of 8% over last year. Through this work, women were encouraged to establish positive, long-term relationships with WEN's staff and continue to use WEN as a resource to support goal setting, financial management, networking, and career success.