Support CWE Programs
The Center for Women & Enterprise offers opportunities for you to support our programs and initiatives.
The Community Entrepreneurs Program (CEP)
Chronic unemployment, financial education disparities, childcare and transportation issues, and lack of access to technology are just a sampling of the major inhibitors to starting businesses for low-income women. The Community Entrepreneurs Program (CEP) is focused on addressing these obstacles, which are unique to each individual participant, through the curriculum itself and also with the ongoing technical assistance provided by our staff and volunteer business consultants. Through CEP, CWE has created a comprehensive training program for disadvantaged women starting small businesses, offering in-depth business planning courses and consulting services relevant to prospective business owners. By empowering women and providing them with the business planning and financial skills they need, CWE is able to break cycle of poverty for women and their families.
ACCELERATE: Business Consulting
A top factor leading to the failure of businesses is the lack of technical assistance after start-up. Women entrepreneurs, especially those in low-income households, currently have limited access to top-quality management, legal, and financial services on an ongoing basis. Such services are instrumental not only for sustained success, but for improved access to capital and business growth. CWE seeks to improve women�s lives through entrepreneurship. Approximately 50% of ACCELERATE clients are considered to be in low or very low-income households. Following business start-up, low-income entrepreneurs need access to affordable, top-quality, technical assistance to ensure their long-term success.
Power Up!: Business Planning
Power Up! is a thirteen-week program comprehensive business planning course. The course is geared toward new entrepreneurs to provide them with the resources and education to write a business plan, find access to capital, develop revenue projections, and manage cash flow. Women begin to build professional networks and hear about real-life experiences from other women. A core group of experienced instructors who are experts in their field disseminate prudent business planning information and review the students� business plans. After graduating from Power Up!, these women have a heightened sense of self-confidence and are ready to take the next steps to launch their business.
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