syracuse, new york in onondaga county population: 468,463 ... · structure and creation of a...
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Syracuse, New York in Onondaga County
Population: 468,463 (2015)
WISE Women’s Business Center Program Example #1
Survivors Of Domestic Violence
WISE and Team Partners recruited Domestic Violence survivors to
participate in the chance of a lifetime—empowering them to
take control of their economic destinies through
entrepreneurship and business ownership.
THE COLLABORATORS:
1. Vera House
(gender-based abuse prevention resource)
2. WISE Women’s Business Center
(support, networking, women-centric programming,
scholarships)
3. South Side Innovation Center
(business counseling, training, and teaching)
(other funders: New York State EAP, JP Morgan Chase)
4. Verizon Help Line Empowerment Program.
(grant funding)
THE PROGRAM:
1. INTAKE through Vera House portal
After Counseling when ready for transition
2. BEGIN Business Plan building
With SSIC Counselor (hour-long, several months)
Attend classes funded through EAP – 9 months
3. NETWORK Women-Centric Sessions and Conferences
“Women of Faith in Business” series (6 classes)
“Women in Business Against All Odds” Roundtable
discussions (bi-weekly, lunchtime)
Scholarships to Conferences - WISE Symposium;
You Can’t Fail; WomenTies; “Exito!”
4. APPLY Verizon Help Line Empowerment Program
$5,000 Grant funding (request made to Verizon through
online portal)
EAP Pitch Competition for $1,000 and other prizes
THE RESULTS:
As a result, almost 60 women have applied for the program.
11 of 12 Project Phoenix entrepreneurs submitted business plans and requests for $5,000 in startup funding from Verizon Help Line Empowerment Program Foundation Hope Line Grant.
Because of scholarships, there has been economic impact in our community with this funding.
Lessons Learned to Date:
A program like this can change lives
Confident decision-making is not a given
Business plans and team building take time
Having a “Dream” is not a given, can be built
Fear of Failure is a huge dynamic
How to ask for funding is a not a given
Testimonials
Project Phoenix has made a big difference in my life. I feel
very confident in achieving my future goals. I now have a
business plan and a business certificate. I feel very grateful
to be a part of Project Phoenix.
Stephanie E.
Project Phoenix transformed my life. It was through this
program that my worst nightmare became my stepping stone
to self-sufficiency, a life of service, and success.
Thank you Project Phoenix for giving me a second chance!
Olivia M.
I appreciate the friendly support and guidance regarding my
efforts in my new business venture that I received by
meeting with Roseanne and with a group of other women to
talk about our business and social sense of belonging to a
group that has same goals about their new beginning. The
guidance about the special knowledge and planning that I
got for my business has helped me stay focused on the
present tasks that I needed to complete for my
business. Thank you.....
Grace P.
Every class provided extensive education and learning in
entrepreneurship.
Many of the continuing opportunities have further enriched
my life.
Project Phoenix has helped renew my sense of self worth
and remind me of my capabilities. (All so sorely eroded
through the years of abuse.)
Julie L.
Testimonials Project Phoenix has changed my life and given me
something to pay forward.
Eileen. C.
My business coach Elvis helped me to create a solid
business plan. It was through Vera House that I
received trauma therapy so that I can be healthy...
Olivia M.
Project Phoenix encouraged me to begin the journey,
and the classes and boot camp taught me how.
Janice H.
I would like to personally thank everyone involved in
Project Phoenix. I was physically, verbally and
emotionally abused for over 28 years and finally found
the courage to leave
Anita M. B.
…In the county where I am from, there is no Vera
House to turn to, so I learned to accept the abuse and
being faced with death daily as a normal way of life.
Nicki Lynne
Project Phoenix has provided me with an invaluable
positive business education … like the Syracuse
University Entrepreneurial Boot Camp ... These have
all been strengthening, inspiring, and enlightening for
the process of launching my own business.
Julie L.
WISE Program Example #2
Our Latina Community
WISE WBC piloted a program "Exito!” (“Success!”) utilizing
"DreamBuilder“
Exito!
!https://www.youtube.com/user/DreamBuilder
FCX/featured
Outcomes
1. Using “DreamBuilder” as a foundation of the weekly class
structure and creation of a framework for a business plan.
2. Shared vision and culture/heritage was important, but what
really bonded us was our shared vision and calling to be part
of something bigger than ourselves.
3. A lively Pitch Competition at the end
4. Using Syracuse University MBA students as Judges
5. As a Pilot Program, we learned we need an Accelerator stage
as well.
6. We also need a more complete package for Plan building.
Exito!
!
