Voices of DWC: Remisha's Story
 

Remisha was struggling with unemployment and facing eviction during an extremely difficult time in her life. She has five children and had a sixth on the way, who tragically passed away.  Coping with this loss while trying to support her family , she turned to DWC’s Continuing Services program - a resource designed to empower women to overcome serious health, mental health, and housing. Remisha began to meet weekly with DWC’s Dr. Mina Kedar to plan goals and next steps to move forward.  

Her hard work is paying off. Remisha has completed the first year of beauty school and is pursuing her dream of becoming a licensed hair and makeup artist. She is also working on stabilizing her housing and regaining custody of her children.  She is proud to be supporting her family by doing what she loves, and while she will never forget the challenges she has faced, she looks forward to enjoying the success that lies ahead.

Voices of DWC: Jessie Mae's Story

When Participant Jessie Mae first walked through the doors of the Downtown Women’s Center three years ago, she was looking for a safe place to unwind and focus.  This is exactly what she found when she was warmly invited in, offered a hot meal, and welcomed by the Ladies as part of the community. “It felt like home,” Jessie Mae recalls. She had found a place where she had the resources to get back on her feet – from basic needs, such as toiletries, to love and support from an understanding group of women.

Today, Jessie Mae continues to visit the Center and eagerly participates in a variety of offerings. She enjoys lunches, attends support groups, and helps out in the kitchen. As a new student at L.A. Technical College, she frequents DWC’s Learning Center to improve her computer skills as she earns her degree. In fact, she has graduated from DWC’s “Introduction to Computers” class for beginners, and is now enrolled in the Level 2 class.  Building computer proficiency is something she “never thought (she) would be able to achieve at the age of 50.”  “DWC has given me such wonderful opportunities and has shown me that anything can be accomplished!” she exclaims. Jessie Mae has also grown to consider the DWC community her family. “I have made a lot of friends,” she reveals. “The Ladies are like my sisters, and DWC is like a second home.”

PHOTO: Jessie Mae (left) with DWC's Dr. Mina Kedar and Volunteer Bruce on Thanksgiving 2008!