Family Sustaining Jobs

Providing education and training for low income women to obtain family sustaining jobs benefits our whole community

 

Education and training are the most powerful tools for developing career pathways and economic independence.  The WNY Women's Foundation is focusing on this issue because:

• On average, women are significantly MORE likely than men to work in low paying jobs in WNY and across the country such as retail, service and clerical jobs
• In 2008, 69% of all workers ages 25 and older with earnings at or below the minimum wage were women
• Women represent nearly half our workforce, but two-thirds of working women are concentrated in only 21 of 500 occupational categories

Currently in WNY there exists:

• Limited focus by post secondary educational and training institutions around meeting the unique needs of low income mothers
• Lack of conversation in the community on the importance of education and training for low income women
• Many training opportunities and providers exist, but limited coordination of services and funding for scholarships and necessary support services

Education and training will:

• Increase a women's earning power - WNY Women who have a high school degree earn $21,000 compared to those with some college or an associates degree earning $26,000, and those with a bachelors degree earning $34,000
• Provide information about career opportunities and laddering that are not generally available to low income women
• Give the children of low income mothers a higher likelihood of becoming economically self-sufficient adults because the mother's educational level is the key determinant of her children's educational attainment

The Foundation''s strategy will focus on connecting women with existing programs and services that make education and employment possible in high growth, higher earning fields.  In addition, the Foundation will advocate for changes in policies to support low income women receiving affordable education and training.