MIDDLETOWN, PA (July 9, 2019) — Members of the Global Women’s Leadership Network Pennsylvania Sister Society stepped into their communities to help women achieve success through volunteer efforts with Dress for Success and the Milagro House.
Two separate events for Dress for Success were held in Luzerne County and Uniontown, Pennsylvania, in May and June. Dress for Success is an international non-profit organization that helps women achieve professional and personal success through support networks and other resources. On May 7 and May 14, 2019, volunteers from Citymark Federal Credit Union, Cornerpost Federal Credit Union, NET Credit Union and Vizo Financial Corporate Credit Union conducted personal development mentoring sessions and assisted with resume building for Dress
for Success clients.
On June 14, 2019, five volunteers from Frick Tri-County Federal Credit Union and PHEPLE Federal Credit Union participated in a mobile suiting event for Dress for Success at Union Station Clubhouse in Uniontown. The event helped women attain professional clothing and provided additional support and resources, such as mock interviews, as they prepared for upcoming interviews.
“Dress for Success has been a charity that the Sister Society has supported since our inception,” said Erin Doan, chair of the Pennsylvania Sister Society’s Community Committee and administration and community relations director for Vizo Financial. “This year, we’ve been able to be more hands-on with the organization’s clients and provide direct support to women who are looking to better their lives through education, employment and empowerment.”
The Pennsylvania Sister Society also spent two days helping out at the Milagro House in Lancaster, Pa. The Milagro House provides housing, as well as education and support services, for homeless women and their children so they can build a self-sufficient life. The first session was held on June 12, where volunteers mentored and talked about personal budgets as part of the organization’s new program for career and workforce development for women focused on completing their GED or planning for post-secondary education.
Volunteers at the second session on June 27 talked with Milagro House residents and students already participating in post-secondary education. They shared personal experiences and went over budget plans and scenarios to assist them with future financial planning.
“Working with residents of the Milagro House was a great opportunity for the PA Sister Society to help underprivileged women in our communities,” said Doan. “Our time with them was valuable because it not only gave them tangible tools they could use moving forward, but it was also an opportunity for us to connect with them as fellow women and let them know they have the support needed to reach their goals.”
The Pennsylvania Sister Society would like to thank everyone who participated in the Dress for Success and Milagro House volunteer days:
Nikki Baker, Bellco FCU
Lauren Beppler, NET CU
Ashlee Choman, Citymark FCU
Erin Doan, Vizo Financial
Erin Ensminger, PCUA
Kathleen Fey, PCUA
Carole Fischer, Cornerpost FCU
Lori Gall, Vizo Financial
Stacey Hankey, Lanco FCU
Kristi Harr, PHEPLE FCU
Stacy Hovan, Citymark FCU
Abby Kiebach, Wheatland FCU
Susan Lawson, PHEPLE FCU
Christina Mihalik, PCUA
Lindsay Moore, Frick Tri-County FCU
Addy Perales, Lanco FCU
Mileise Sabbatini, NET CU
Linda Stein, PHEPLE FCU
Corin Tinivell, Frick Tri-County FCU
Volunteers listened to clients’ most recent challenges and successes, providing personal experience and stories to empathize and mentor women at the Dress for Success event in Luzerne County on May 7and 14, 2019.
On June 14, 2019, volunteers assisted in the mobile suiting event for Dress for Success in Uniontown, Pa., to help promote independence for women seeking employment after being in challenging situations.
PA Sister Society members shared personal experiences and helped make a difference for residents of the Milagro House in Lancaster, Pa.
Stacey Hankey of Lanco FCU conducts a personal budgeting session with two Milagro House residents on June 27, 2019.
Erin Doan.
GWLN aims to provide women with the opportunity and resources to make a measurable difference In the lives of each other, In the lives of credit union members and In their communities. With a Sister Society presence in 86 countries, The Kansas-Missouri Sister Society joins a group of 4,500 individuals from all walks of life, expertise and professional standing.
Susan Dyer
Vice President of Engagement
