RWGC Summer Circular 2026
- Aug 6
- 16 min read
Updated: 7 days ago
Inside This Issue
Recap of the 2026 Grants Awards Gala
Introduction of our 2026 Grantees
Leadership Team in Action
Member Portal Launch
Growing Our Circle: Member Highlight
Become A Circle Friend!
Save the Date!
Highlights from the 19th Annual
Grant Awards Celebration
June 17, 2026 at Temple Sinai
Our Giving Circle celebrated $265,000 in grant awards, our highest annual gifting to date, with a star-studded gala. More than 100 people attended, contributing to the evening’s sparkle, each bringing their own unique lights to share. We honored all of our stars with lovely piano music, a red carpet welcome for our grantees, delicious bites, drinks and desserts and, of course, the highlight: presenting our grant awards to star community organizations.
Melinda Andolina, Chair of the RWGC Leadership Team, began the presentations by highlighting our core mission of empowering women and girls in Monroe County to achieve lifelong economic self-sufficiency. She pointed to a quote from Arthur Ashe as exemplifying the philosophy of accessible action we embrace: "Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can." - Arthur Ashe
“We know we can’t solve every problem – we focus on what we can do: Grant funding, community education, and collective giving,” Melinda said.
Linda Josephs, Partner Committee Chair, introduced each of this year’s 12 grantee organizations. She shared the key aspects of each program we will fund, introduced representatives from each organization, and introduced the RWGC partners who will work with each organization in the coming year.
We celebrated this years grants, but also the knowledge that since our inception in 2007, the Giving Circle has granted nearly $3 million dollars. Our impact has been impressive; since 2020 the programs we have funded served more than 3,200 women and girls, and helped over 1,000 gain employment.
The constellation of stars formed by our Giving Circle members, our grantee organizations and all who support us are poised to shine bright in the coming year.
Thank you to our Grantmaking Committee members, who evaluated and recommended grant applications through a comprehensive three-month process.
Grantmaking committee
Carol Hidy, co-chair; Kathy Hagen, co-chair; Nicole Botti, Nicole Kingsley Brunner, Nicole Druckman, Carolyn Friedlander, Rita Garretson, Sandy Greer, Barbara Hufsmith, Linda Josephs, Emily Lambert, Cheryl Lawless, Laurel Pace, Marjorie Perlman, Bridget Platania, Nancy Wesson. Knowledge Management: Martha Blair and Lorelei Heliotis.
Thank you to the Grant Partners, who will stay connected to the grantee organizations, providing support and a consistent connection to the RWGC.
Grant Partners
Sarah Swan, Nicole Botti, Joanne Guarnere, Cathleen Clancy, Emily Lambert, Laurel Pace, Cheryl Lawless, Nicole Druckman, Nicole Kingsley Brunner, Nancy Bodziak, Bridget Platania, Claudia Weber.
Thank you to the members of our Membership Committee who organized and hosted the gala event.
Membership Committee
Sarah Bullard, Vicki Burns, Cathleen Clancy, Joanne Guarnere, Roberta Kaye, Linda Kilbourne, Stephanie Murphy, Jeanne Stillman Morey, Shree Pandya, Laura Trusso, Betsy Waugh, Teri Davis, Nancy Hessler.
Introducing our 2026 Grantees
Agape Haven of Abundance
Out of School Time/Youth Empowerment
$25,000
Program Description
The Out of School Time - Youth Empowerment program serves young women of color ages 6-15 providing tools for academic success through educational enrichment, mentorship, and mental health resources. It provides youth a safe haven when school doors are closed and provides them with an abundance of opportunities to help them make wise decisions, become productive citizens and foster a brighter future for the community.
A cornerstone of Agape Haven’s work is their Summer Camp, an eight-week program that provides a full-day, structured enrichment experience that integrates hands-on STEAM learning, social-emotional development, career exploration, and culturally responsive activities. Youth engage in science experiments, literacy development, gardening, culinary arts, music, environmental learning, and weekly educational field trips, while also receiving social-emotional support through mindfulness practices and daily check-ins with a social worker.
Through its innovative, holistic design, the program empowers youth to thrive academically, socially, and professionally for long-term success.
Sarah Swan will be their partner.
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Rochester
Community Mentorship Program
$20,700
Program Description
We are funding the BBBS Mentorship Program which is designed to create and nurture professionally supported one-to-one mentoring relationships with adult women mentors that empower girls in Rochester to realize their potential while fostering supportive, long-term connections in the community.
They plan to serve 75 girls ages 12-18 who reside in Monroe County, attend Rochester
City School District schools, live in low-income households and come from single parent homes or have experienced parental incarceration.
Their evidence based model strengthens leadership identity, academic engagement,
resilience and long-term economic mobility for girls facing systemic barriers. Mentors
provide consistent guidance, academic support and exposure to leadership and career pathways, while families receive regular engagement and wraparound referrals. BBBS has a proven history of addressing absenteeism, juvenile crime and Adverse Childhood Experiences. Their track record shows 100% of eligible seniors graduate high school, 100% avoid juvenile justice involvement while enrolled, 98.5% increase educational expectations and 93.5% improve social competence.
Nicole Botti will be their partner.
The Center for Teen Empowerment
Young Women’s Leadership and Employment Program
$25,000
Program Description
The Young Women’s Leadership and Employment Project employs and trains 30 - 36
young women - a majority of whom are people of color - ages 14 - 19 as Youth
Organizers (YOs) to develop and use their voices to engage and lead their communities and peers towards positive social change. The program helps develop and support young women as decision makers and confident young leaders where other opportunities are scarce.
As YOs do their work, they are empowered to analyze and make decisions about their
work, helping build confidence, collaboration and leadership skills. All youth work is
paid, contributing to their financial well-being and workforce accountability.
Youth organizers set goals and create a strategic plan to engage peers in impacting
their priority focus areas. They then organize and mobilize to implement that plan.
Through youth peace initiatives, young people inspire their peers to unite and focus
their energy on uplifting neighborhoods. YOs provide a positive influence and aspiration in the youth population where racism and inequality are often norms.
Each year, 600 to 1000 neighborhood youth participate in the initiatives created by the YOs. By speaking at public hearings, YOs inform policy and partner with adults on larger community organizing efforts. They learn to evaluate and improve by reflecting on daily group sessions, events, and initiatives, then making recommendations for continuous improvement. Critical to their own personal development, YOs are trained to give and receive life-changing feedback during weekly group sessions.
Joanne Guarnere will continue as their partner.
Center for Youth
Flower City Change Makers
$25,000
Program Description
Flower City Changemakers is a leadership development program for 10 - 15 young
women of color between the ages of 14 and 24 who have been recruited for leadership roles and have shown promise and expertise despite personal challenges and trauma. These young women will participate voluntarily and will be paid a small weekly stipend for their job responsibilities and will also become mentors to other young women. It is transformational for the young women as they attend weekly programs introducing new opportunities with women community leaders, workshops on relationships, budgeting, health, employment and community engagement.
The young women will be engaged in personal and group activities including building a resume, speaking to financial experts, health care professionals and preparing for the
world of work as they continue to embrace their own educational outcomes including
completing high school and considering higher education. Trips to local and HBCU
educational institutions will be offered.
The young women will be exposed to youth development and participate in the operation of the site as front office staff, as mentors to other girls, and to use the Bridge to Peace site as a learning classroom. They will participate and learn to lead restorative circles to address racial biases in their own experience and in the community as they engage in volunteer activities. They will become leaders.
During the pilot program additional activities were developed to meet the young
women’s needs- navigating healthcare, financial literacy, banking, documentation, and
getting a driver’s license.
Cathleen Clancy will continue as their partner.
Foundation for Women’s Financial Education
Financial Planning for Social Service Organizations
$4,300
Program Description
The Financial Coaching for Social Service Organizations program for 2026 will be a
continuation with modifications of their 2025 pilot providing financial seminars for low income women employees of 2 selected social service organizations at their workplace during their workday with optional direct one-on -one financial coaching.
The social service organizations would refer female employees (with income guidelines
provided by FWFE) to the classes, with the commitment that the initial classes can be
completed on-site during work schedules.
The staff at each employer organization will determine priority topics for the classes -
including budgeting and financial management, tax planning, understanding
investments, estate and end of life planning. Coaching will included development of
financial goals, support with specific needs such as debt consolidation or budgeting.
As we heard from Brie at our April Social, the pilot program that we funded in 2025 was very successful. The participants as well as the employers were very pleased and they even had more demand than expected for the one on one coaching. During the pilot they learned a few things that could be improved and they are going to incorporate that feedback into the program this year.
Emily Lambert will continue as their partner.
Goodwill of the Finger Lakes
Goodwill Learning Academy
$25,000
Program Description
The Goodwill Learning Academy (GLA) addresses educational persistence and
completion among adult women who have previously disengaged from high school,
community college, or workforce programs by providing intensive coaching, education
case management, structured accountability and high school equivalency pathways -
while addressing barriers through academic support, transportation assistance, flexible
scheduling, and wellness programs to enhance their career opportunities.
The program plans to serve 58 adult women ages 18- 55+ from economically distressed neighborhoods. Participants are primarily low-income women of color -many first-generation college aspirants balancing employment and caregiving
responsibilities.
Goodwill Learning Academy (GLA) delivers the National External Diploma Program
(NEDP) as an alternative pathway for adults to earn a New York State High School
Equivalency Diploma. The NEDP is a flexible, self-paced, and competency-based
program designed for individuals who have acquired skills through life and work
experience but do not have a traditional high school diploma. They also launched a
highly successful community program where adults move through the program
together in an intensive and accelerated format which was designed around the
principle that adults need to progress and succeed quickly.
GLA maintains strong partnerships with MCC, REOC, and Urban League who refer
adults to them regularly. Once a person graduates, GLA builds a pathway for them to
enter a workforce program at REOC or community college at MCC. This cooperative
model ensures a win-win for both organizations and ensures that their partners feel
confident in making a referral knowing that it benefits their organization equally in the
future.
GLA operates with one Director, one Education Success Coach, and two-part time
tutors and is projected to account for approximately 11% of all NEDP diplomas
awarded statewide in 2025 26. The program has been recognized as a Promising
Practice by NYSED (New York State Education Department) and has been
invited to present at the 2026 NEDP Professional Learning Community conference.
This reflects GLAs potential as a replicable, financially responsible best-practice model.
Laurel Pace will continue as their Partner.
Greentopia: Green Visions
Growing Healthy Futures
$25,000
Program Description
Green Visions: Growing Healthy Futures is a neighborhood based workforce development program dedicated to transforming the lives of Rochester’s at risk
youth by providing industry specific job training and certifications, work experience
through the management and operation of Rochester’s first Urban Flower Farm,
exposure to job, career and educational opportunities and wrap-around supports and
guidance towards securing higher paying, skilled permanent employment. Green
Visions works with 18-24 year old individuals of color in the JOSANA and Joseph
Avenue neighborhoods who are out of school including those with intellectual and
developmental disabilities, single mothers, formerly incarcerated or homeless
individuals, those who identify as LGBTQ+ and those who have little or no work
experience, are unemployed or underemployed.
The program consists of 2 cohorts - Summer 2026 and Winter 2027 - each spanning
10 weeks. Participants work 5 shifts during the 10 weeks and they are paid an untaxed
stipend of $60 per day with each having the opportunity to make a maximum of $3,000
over the course of the program.
Green Visions provides participants with occupational skills training which includes
greenhouse cultivation, landscape technician training, 10 hr. OSHA certification, and
new in 2026 for exposure to Green Industry jobs — Cornell’s Urban Agriculture
Certificate earned at completion of a self-paced on-line course and the NY State
approved, DEC endorsed Soil and Erosion Sediment Control Training.
They will also receive Financial Literacy Training and learn how to write, build and
update their individualized professional resume with a list of personal and professional
references and how to tailor it to specific opportunities. They will have year-round
support from the full-time Youth Navigator in partnership with RochesterWorks and
they will also have an opportunity to obtain their NYS Driver’s license.
Participants learn all aspects of the small urban cut flower business from working the
soil, installing irrigation, planting, weeding, tending, and cutting. They then will learn to use the fresh cut flowers to make bouquets and arrangements, which will be sold at
the Rochester Public Market and throughout Rochester. Dried flowers and herbs are
processed and used to create additional products. Proceeds from these social enterprises help support the program while teaching valuable customer service, marketing, small business, sales and retail skills.
Cheryl Lawless will be their partner.
Judicial Process Commission
Woman Forward Work Ready Program
$25,000
Program Description
The Woman Forward program will serve 75 formerly-incarcerated transitional youth and women, predominantly black and Hispanic ages 16–50, returning to the community with limited/no support systems, seeking to rebuild their lives through education, training, and employment. The program provides holistic, trauma-informed workforce readiness, emotional wellness support, mentoring, and connections to community resources to build life skills, confidence, social-emotional development, and employability, helping participants achieve stable employment, family reunification, and long-term self-sufficiency.
The program’s key activities include: 1) Job Readiness, with 24 biweekly skill-building
workshops that equip participants with practical personal development, financial/
employment skills, health, and professional presentation skills, directly targeting
unemployment and economic instability; 2) Quarterly wellness events & Accountability
Circles to strengthen emotional wellness, resilience, and self-efficacy, addressing
trauma, mental health needs, and confidence gaps hindering workforce participation
and success; and 3) Graduation/Holiday party to promote social support, family
reunification, and long-term community reintegration, reducing isolation and the risk of recidivism. The ultimate program goal is to reduce recidivism and support successful reintegration, enabling self-sustaining, productive women to thrive in their lives and communities.
Nicole Druckman will be their partner.
Mary Cariola Children’s Center
Teacher Aide to NYS Teacher Assistant Certification
$15,000
Program Description
We are funding the Teacher Aide to NYS Teacher Assistant Certification Program which
addresses a critical gap in professional development and economic mobility for entry level staff. It is targeted to serve 40 women, 70% of whom are people of color. It seeks to empower these women to secure higher-paying roles and gain transferable
professional skills while continuing to work with their students at Mary Cariola. By
offering clear career progression, the center aims to reduce high turnover rates which
are common in special education. Staff stability is vital for students with complex
disabilities who rely on consistent, highly trained care. This initiative also aims to
combat local poverty and improve the city economy by increasing household income.
Mary Cariola’s Growing Our Own scholarship program pays the costs of the education,
and in turn the employees pledge to remain at the center.
This program has been in place for over 10 years and has empowered approximately
300 participants to advance their careers. To date, they have a 95% completion rate.
They have a dedicated Learning and Organizational Development department
providing holistic support to remove personal and professional barriers. They have a
Community Navigator that helps participants access vital resources for childcare,
housing and food insecurity ensuring they can focus on their certification and longterm
classroom success.
Nicole Kingsley Brunner will be their partner.
The Unity Hospital of Rochester
Project Independence at Healthy Moms
$25,000
Program Description
Project Independence is a program within Healthy Moms at Unity Hospital that serves
inner city single mothers with children under the age of 4 living in Rochester and
Monroe County. Their mission is to create a nurturing and supportive environment that
is life-changing and empowers women to reach their highest potential. Project
Independence fulfills this mission through job training, higher education, and paid
employment. The holistic approach to these programs breaks down traditional
systemic barriers to financial stability and long-term self-sufficiency.
Project Independence delivers individualized employment counseling, job readiness
training, structured work experience, empowerment classes, and comprehensive
education support. Participants receive resume development assistance, interview
preparation, career exploration guidance, and workplace navigation coaching.
Education supports include English for Speakers of other Languages access, high
school equivalency tutoring, and hands-on assistance with college and trade school
applications. On-site work experiences include supervised placements in the food pantry (launched in March 2023), the clothing closet (enhanced in 2025), health system
departments, and community settings. An Employment Counselor provides direct
supervision of job training sites and maintains an active participant caseload.
Partnership with the Talent Mobility and Organizational Effectiveness team creates
direct healthcare pipeline-to-employment pathways.
Behavioral Health services are delivered by perinatal-certified therapists and overseen
by a Licensed Clinical Social Worker serving as Clinical Manager across maternal-child
programs, strengthening coordination and quality assurance.
Project Independence addresses persistent poverty and limited economic mobility. For mothers of young children, barriers to employment are compounded by lack of
affordable childcare, transportation instability, gaps in educational attainment, limited
workforce flexibility, and untreated behavioral health concerns. Traditional workforce
programs rarely integrate maternal mental health services, childcare access, and
transportation supports within a single coordinated model as this program does.
Project Independence graduates are often the first in their families to break an
intergenerational cycle of dependence on public assistance – providing impactful role
modeling to their children and families. More individuals receiving employment wages
equates to an increase in local community workforce as well as a decrease in those
requiring public assistance benefits.
Bridget Platania will be their partner.
Urban League of Rochester NY
ROC Women’s Business Center Pathways to Economic Independence for Women
$25,000
Program Description
The Rochester Women’s Business Center was founded in October of 2021, however
the Urban League has been providing business development services since 1988.
The Pathways to Economic Independence for Women is a pilot program which will provide services tailored for 20 low or moderate income women of color age 18 and over who are operating early-stage or informal businesses or who are unemployed or underemployed and interested in starting small businesses. The goal is to address the discrepancy in both the number of male vs. female business owners in Monroe County and the discrepancy in amount earned per business.
Applicants for the program are found via referrals from other Urban League programs, social media, tabling events and weekly office hours at Rochester Neighborhood Service centers. RWBC vets their applicants to verify that their background fits the program and they require commitment to full participation in the program. They are being proactive in addressing potential barriers such as transportation and childcare.
The program includes an 8 week cohort that aims to encourage financial independence for women through workshops that focus on income planning, business and employment foundations, branding and outreach, job readiness and personal financial management.
Participants will receive one-on-one counseling, financial literacy training and mentorship and they will develop and complete a business plan or employment action plan. The RWBC has existing partnerships with financial and entrepreneurial experts including M&T Bank, NBT Bank, RIT Center for Urban Entrepreneurship and RochesterWorks who can assist through leading workshops and providing individualized support to the program participants.
Claudia Weber will be their partner.
Society for the Protection and Care of Children
Project Equip
$25,000
Program Description
Project Equip is a new program - an expansion of the TAPSS program we funded in
2019 - which will provide expanded access to financial literacy workshops, life skills
coaching and education and employment support to increase self-sufficiency for 80
new and young mothers and their families in Monroe County.
Approximately 85% of the women in the program will identify as people of color, 95% will be living below the federal poverty rate and 80% will be living in single parent, female head of households so this is designed to address aspects of racial inequity. This program meets the pent up demand from the mothers they already serve and they have the resources and staffing in place to implement the program. They also work with BOCES, MCC, OASIS and REOC to provide GED programs. The Financial Literacy Workshops including ESL speakers will include basic budgeting, explaining the tax system, how to set up a bank account, how to check a credit score and build healthy credit, how to problem solve around debt and protect your identity.
The Skill Building & Employment-readiness Workshops in partnership with RochesterWorks Youth Services Programs will include resume writing, job search strategies, interviewing skills, communication skills and how to obtain a work permit.
The individualized Coaching & Life Skill Building during home visits will include use of budgeting workbooks, calendars/planners, and other materials for goal setting and task-planning.
Nancy Bodziak will be their partner.
Leadership Team in action
The Leadership Team held its July meeting at the home of Nancy Hessler, Co-Chair on the Membership Committee. The business portion of the evening was followed by a little social time, culminating with a group picture. From left, Nancy Hessler, Cheryl Lawless, Jill Miller, Alex Kuchel, Martha Blair, Linda Joseph, Nicole Botti, Rita Garrison, Terris Davis, Melinda Andolina Carol Hidy (front), Annette Meade and Rebecca Storke.
COMING LATER THIS SUMMER
Members Only Website Portal!
The Communications Committee is excited to announce the launch date for the Members Only Portal within our new website!
Highlighted new features:
Groups
Self Service Event Registration*
Self Service Contact Information Updates*
*Please note these are optional features, you may continue to use email as your communication preference should you choose.
Your account will be created by the RWGC administrators. Once it's ready, you'll receive an email with the next steps to complete your account setup.
Keep an eye on your inbox! You'll receive registration instructions, written how-to guides, and short video tutorials designed to help you get the most out of the new member portal. Whether you're completing the initial setup or exploring more advanced features, these resources will guide you every step of the way.
The Communications Committee is here to support you as we launch these exciting new tools and continue growing and connecting as a community. If you have questions along the way, we're happy to help! Contact us here.
Member Highlight: The Power of One Voice
Sometimes the most meaningful gifts come as a complete surprise.
Member Kathy Wesley quietly took it upon herself to submit the Rochester Women's Giving Circle as a grant recipient to a local chapter of the LPGA. Not only was her submission selected, Kathy also had the opportunity to personally present our mission to members of the local LPGA at a recent event, shining a spotlight on the transformative work our Circle does here in Monroe County.
The result? A generous check presentation of $983! This is a beautiful example of what happens when one passionate member takes initiative. Kathy, your quiet dedication and belief in our mission moved mountains. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.
This is collective giving at its finest.
Karenne Roberts, center front, Director of Recruitment for LPGA Amateurs Association of Rochester, and member Kathy Wesley, to Karenne's left, present a check for $983 to the Rochester Women's Giving Circle's Leadership Team. Also in the photo, left to right, are Rita Garretson, Melinda Andolina, Carol Hidy, Nicole Botti, Linda Josephs and Nancy Hessler.
Become a Circle Friend
The Circle Friend program matches new members with existing members to make our new members feel welcome and connected to our organization. Some of these relationships have now turned into treasured, multi-year friendships.
We would like to recruit additional members to become Circle Friends. The time commitment can be as long as having a cup of coffee or introducing the new member at a gathering. We all wear name tags so it is easy to do!
If you are interested in becoming a Circle Friend or have questions about the program, please contact Nancy Hessler for additional details. Nancy can be reached at nhessler3@gmail.com.
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