WRIC Executive Director's 2021 Message
WRIC founder, Phoebe Seham, led a social justice movement that changed the lives of thousands of people. The impact of her passionate engagement with the law, education, human rights, and empowerment through knowledge and support is immeasurable. Among countless testimonials, one, from The American Association of University Women, states: "You are a better World because Phoebe Seham is in you. She has made a difference: Because her efforts and intentions have from the first been pointed toward making a better place for everyone; because improving conditions for women means improving conditions for everyone... "
For over 48 years, WRIC has carried on Phoebe's vision for a better and just society. Her legacy lives on through our services that meet the needs of those seeking help in our community. In 2020, we enhanced our Mission Statement to incorporate this message that bridges 1973 to the present:
Women's Rights Information Center provides knowledge and opportunities to support the economic aspirations, self-sufficiency, and emotional well-being of individuals so that they may live with hope, security, and dignity.
While rocked by the sudden changes that Covid-19 brought us in March of 2020, we quickly found our footing. Folks have needed us more than ever. Thank you for so generously partnering with us and trusting us to be the helpers to people in need. Together, we made our world a little better. With your support, WRIC has been able to continue its life-transforming programs serving over 1,200 clients this past year in the following critical areas
• Helped Bergen County families struggling with food insecurity, and provided grocery gift cards to 150 families.
• Distributed 212 bags filled with personal care items and 75 cases of diapers.
• Partnered with the Community Chest serving Eastern Bergen County, and distributed vouchers to feed 200 families with the added benefit of helping local businesses keep their doors open.
• Distributed 1,000 meals to the food insecure in Bergen County through the NJEDA's Sustain & Serve Feed the Front Lines program.
• Responded to increased calls from housing insecure residents. Over 30 individuals found better living situations through Shared Housing, and countless others received referrals to other housing resources.
• Facilitated self-development and wellness programs such as art therapy, equine therapy, meditation, and financial literacy. Workshops helped reduce isolation and foster empowerment and self-care.
• Provided weekly self-help groups addressing domestic violence, power and control issues, and safety planning. Offered our first Spanish-speaking victim support group, and continued to provide crisis intervention, counseling, and referrals. Over 300 victims of crime received crisis intervention, advocacy and referrals, guidance navigating the justice system, preventive education, and safety planning.
• Helped more than 500 individuals receive economic empowerment services through work readiness, job training, and Microsoft Office technology courses.
• Provided emergency assistance/funding for back rent/mortgage payments, security deposits, utilities, and home repairs for over 25 senior citizens affected by the pandemic.
• Provided free legal consultations to over 200 people.
• Graduated more than 130 new Americans from our English as a Second Language and Citizenship classes.
As we address the uneven social and economic impacts of the pandemic, many of our efforts overlap with work on racial equity. We are particularly proud to be a founding member of the Coalition for Racial Unity and Equity (CRUE). The Coalition of Racial Unity and Equity is a collaboration of diverse Bergen County non-profit organizations and individuals with a shared vision to create communities free from bias, systemic racism, and white supremacy. WRIC and CRUE have the shared values to uphold the worth and dignity of all humanity, to promote equity and justice, and we commit to do the work of antiracism.
This is an exciting time as we are drivers of change... good change.
Thank you for supporting WRIC and
being the Community Change Makers we all need.