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Women’s Initiative for Self Empowerment (WISE)
We are a multicultural 501(c)3 nonprofit organization serving African, Asian, and Latino immigrant and refugee women and girls from all countries, cultures, and socio-economic backgrounds. WISE started in 1995 to provide opportunities for women and girls in the immigrant communities to achieve their full potential and to increase their skills towards economic success.
Announcements
Our Girls Getting Ahead in Leadership is a Changemaker 2011!
Our Girls Getting Ahead in Leadership program was designated Changemaker 2011 by the Minnesota Women’s Press! You can access our story at http://www.womenspress.com/main.asp?FromHome=1&TypeID=1&ArticleID=3980&SectionID=1&SubSectionID=233.
Refugee Participant Recruitment for Professional Refugee Recertification Program
WISE assists foreign trained professional refugees, through funding from the Office of Refugee Resettlement for its Professional Refugee Recertification, (PRR), program, with navigation of the professional licensure process in Minnesota, mentoring, financial aid research, leadership development, advocacy and alternative career pathyway development. WISE is seeking new foreign trained professional refugees to serve in its PRR program. WISE assists refugees who are trained as teachers, accountants, lawyers, engineers, doctors and other licensed medical professionals. This program is free to foreign trained refugees. For more information, please contact Dr. Wilhelmina Holder at 651-646-3268.
Mentors
We are looking for volunteers to serve as mentors in our Girls Getting Ahead in Leadership program to help with career goal development and college application, scholarship application and financial aid application preparation. WISE is a Dedicated Partner of Mentoring Partnership of Minnesota and is recognized as a leader in group mentoring. Please see our Volunteer page for more information. Please contact Prisca Okeahialam-Swaray at 651-646-3268.
New Board Members
WISE is seeking new members for its Board of Directors. If interested, please contact Julie Thelen at 651-269-8755.
Claim Your Tax Credits for 2011!
Tax credits can mean a significant amount of money that comes back to you and your family. Be sure to use the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), Working Family Credit (WFC), and free tax preparation services that are available in Minnesota. Please go to either a Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) or AARP Tax-Aide center to receive free tax preparation help. To find a free tax preparation service, you can call United Way 2-1-1 or from a cell phone dial 651-291-0211 (1-800-543-7709 outside the metro area) or go to www.taxes.state.mn.us and search for “Free Tax Prep.” You can also talk with Cheryl Field, WISE Financial Literacy Coordinator, for more guidance. Cheryl can be reached at 651-646-3268.
