Support groups help women and girls with disabilities reach their full potential
Statistically speaking

The U.S. Census indicates that there are nearly 40,000 people with one or more disabilities living in Waukesha County. These residents, face multiple structural and attitudinal barriers that prevent them from fully participating in their communities. And, the U.S. Department of Education reports that compared to non-disabled peers, students with disabilities experience more bullying and are less likely to receive a high school diploma. Many of these Waukesha County residents do not have the skills needed to self-advocate or the knowledge necessary to make informed choices about the care required to maximize their abilities.
Improving the odds

In 2019, the Women and Girls Fund of Waukesha County awarded a $1,500 grant to IndependenceFirst to support its GirlsFirst and LadiesFirst peer group programs. These support groups provide women and girls with disabilities a safe, non-judgmental environment to share challenges and experiences, provide guidance to help them reach their full potential, increase their self-awareness and improve their independence.

The mission of IndependenceFirst is to effectively facilitate the empowerment of individuals with disabilities through education, advocacy and independent living services. They offer more than 20 programs and services to people with disabilities of all kinds.
 
In 2019, thanks to the generosity of our donors, the Women and Girls Fund awarded grants totaling $127,500 to area agencies delivering innovative programs that achieve results and empower Waukesha County women and girls. Since its inception 15 years ago, the WGF has given more than $1 million in grants. Positive change is happening.
2019 Impact Grant Awarded

In honor of the Women and Girls Fund of Waukesha County's 15th Anniversary, a $15,000 Impact Grant was awarded to support a collaborative effort around the emerging priority issue of mental health. The grant was awarded to the Waukesha County Suicide Prevention Initiative (WCSPI) with NAMI Waukesha serving as the fiscal agent in response to the Waukesha County Health and Human Services Department Community Health Improvement Plan and Process (CHIPP). The funds provided will be utilized to host a mental health wellness conference for women and girls during 2020. The conference will provide an opportunity for women and girls in Waukesha County to learn how internal and external stressors can impact mental health with workshops that will build resilience and educate how to improve mental wellness.
Help us reach our
2019 Annual Appeal goal of $150,000!

Today more than ever, your generous contribution can help us improve the odds, one grant at a time. Your gift to the Women and Girls Fund of Waukesha County, combined with the generosity of many other donors, helps improve the odds in Waukesha County.

2019 Annual Appeal
Progress Tracker
View our video to see how we are making a difference one grant at a time.
The Women and Girls Fund of Waukesha County, established in 2004, seeks to aid and enrich the lives of women and girls so they become thriving residents of their communities. Since 2005, the Women and Girls Fund has awarded more than $1,000,000 to nearly 60 non-profit organizations that promote the health, well-being, education and empowerment of women and girls of all ages.