women's circle - News - The Coastal Star2024-03-29T02:38:03Zhttps://thecoastalstar.com/profiles/blogs/feed/tag/women%27s+circleCircle of Hope Gala: Westchester Country Club, Boynton Beachhttps://thecoastalstar.com/profiles/blogs/circle-of-hope-gala-westchester-country-club-boynton-beach2017-03-01T16:24:44.000Z2017-03-01T16:24:44.000ZMary Kate Leminghttps://thecoastalstar.com/members/MaryKateLeming769<div><p style="text-align:center;"><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}7960708453,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img width="750" src="{{#staticFileLink}}7960708453,original{{/staticFileLink}}" class="align-center" alt="7960708453?profile=original" /></a><em><strong>March 30:</strong> Artist DUAIV will create a one-of-a-kind painting to be auctioned during Women’s Circle’s 13th-annual fundraising gala. Enjoy dinner, live music, silent auction, raffle and dancing.Proceeds from the event support programs to improve career prospects of culturally diverse, underserved women in Palm Beach County. Time is 6 p.m. Cost is $150. Call 244-7627, Ext. 106 or visit womenscircle.org/gala. ABOVE: (l-r) Shelley Eichner, Sister Lorraine Ryan, Linda Chapley, Sister Joan Carusillo, Marge Blanz, Dee Price, Jo-Ann DiLorenzo and Nelly Mejia. <strong>Photo provided</strong></em></p></div>Finding Faith: Women’s Circle embraces literacy and job training challengeshttps://thecoastalstar.com/profiles/blogs/finding-faith-women-s-circle-embraces-literacy-and-job-training-c2015-06-03T15:00:00.000Z2015-06-03T15:00:00.000ZChris Felkerhttps://thecoastalstar.com/members/ChrisFelker<div><p style="text-align:center;"><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}7960583066,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-center" src="{{#staticFileLink}}7960583066,original{{/staticFileLink}}" width="360" alt="7960583066?profile=original" /></a><em>Students learn valuable skills during a class at the Women’s Circle.</em></p>
<p style="text-align:center;"><strong>Photo provided</strong></p>
<p style="text-align:left;"><strong>By Janis Fontaine</strong></p>
<p style="text-align:left;"> In four tiny rooms in a neat-as-a-pin yellow house a block off Federal Highway in Boynton Beach, 300 women are being saved from a life of poverty each year. <br /> The Women’s Circle has been offering free literacy programs and job training for anyone who wants it for the last 15 years. It has helped thousands of local women achieve financial stability through their literacy and job-training classes. <br /> “Illiteracy is our biggest challenge,” Sister Lorraine Ryan said. Ryan, a sister with the Medical Mission Sisters, founded the Women’s Circle 15 years ago with Sister Joan Carusillo. She has served as its executive director ever since. She accepts no salary for her work and calls herself a volunteer. <br /> The circle has six paid staff members and dozens of volunteers. Its annual budget was about $20,000 in 2000. Today it’s about $280,000. The money comes from grants, donations and volunteer efforts, including its annual gala. The 501(c)3 nonprofit is not supported by any government, church or religious organization. <br /> Ryan says many of the circle’s clients are Haitian and have never attended school at all. “They can’t read or write, so they can’t finds jobs.” <br /> The circle sponsors literacy classes in English and Creole, job training including a variety of computer classes, citizenship classes, and life-skills classes in parenting, health and nutrition. It also teaches sewing and knitting classes. <br /> And when someone is ready to go to an interview, the circle provides professional apparel for her to wear. “Our goal is empowering these women,” Ryan said, which means supporting them in every area of their lives.<br /> The programs are working. In 2013, Laurette Valcena and Tee Jackson, job development coordinators, helped 87 women find jobs. In 2014, 67 women found jobs as sales associates, administrative clerks, project managers, medical assistants and telemarketers. <br /> Ryan, who earned a master’s degree in public health from Johns Hopkins University, worked to combat extreme poverty in India for 15 years as a nurse, counselor and public health specialist. But she put her position as the coordinator of health services on hold to care for her aging parents in Boynton Beach. <br /> “I was well aware of the poverty, especially in single- parent families in Boynton, and I wanted to do something. I started by asking people what they needed. I surveyed 50 families.” <br /> There was one common theme: They wanted jobs. <br /> For some women, that meant starting with the ABCs. Associate director Helena Wallis says they didn’t know how to learn or study. And they needed help understanding our culture, and just fitting in. “We have a life-skills focus. We talk about practical things, like health and nutrition, we provide counseling to women who need it.” <br /> Some of these women started with little and lost what little they had. “They’ve seen a lot of sadness and death,” Ryan said. The 2010 earthquake that devastated Haiti is a brutally painful memory for many of these women. <br /> But when you see them, they are happy to be learning. Happy to be making progress with their English and happy to feel like they fit in somewhere. <br /> All of this activity and personal growth takes place in four immaculate but crowded rooms, each smaller than the next. Women sit shoulder to shoulder, blossoming before your eyes. <br /> The staff and volunteers celebrate every success story; and for these women those moments are huge: Like the woman who is confident enough now to speak up at the PTA meeting at her child’s school. Or the woman who can now fill out a job application online without help. <br /> Most new clients find the Women’s Circle through word of mouth, and currently, its client base is about 70 percent Haitian. “We working to expand our diversity,” Ryan said. “We would like to serve more Hispanic women, and more Caucasians.” <br /> A growing program called Moving Forward should attract those groups. This two-week intensive career-development program covers topics such as resumes and cover letters, mock interviews, time management, and how to present yourself, including professional dress.<br /> Meetings are 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. the first two weeks of the month at the United Methodist Church in Boynton Beach, because there simply isn’t enough room at the Women’s Circle.<br /> But that, too, will change. The circle is expanding. A new building will swallow up the existing structure and quadruple its square footage. <br /> The annual gala, which raised $134,000 in February, has supported the expansion so far: The Circle demolished the building next door and now has a nice parking lot. <br /> The new site is expected to cost $1.3 million and be finished in 2017. A capital campaign is underway to raise the money, and donations are needed. “There are naming rights available,” Ryan says. <br /> Sometimes people ask why the circle serves only women. Wallis said, “Most areas have a lot of programs out there helping men. We want to help women because they are the heart of the family.”<br /> Here are six ways you can help: Make a monetary gift; donate clothing suitable for job interviews; donate fabric for dressmaking or yarn for the knitting class; donate office supplies, paper products and flat-screen computer monitors; donate money to buy textbooks; become a volunteer. Call 244-7627 or visit womenscircle.org.<br /> ***<br /> First United Methodist Church of Boynton Beach is congratulating Nahdia Perez as the 2015 Danny Hall Memorial Scholarship winner. The Boynton Beach High School grad plans to study cosmetology. <br /> The scholarship is awarded to a physically challenged senior in memory of Hall, who was 43 when he lost a 33-year struggle with Becker’s Syndrome Muscular Dystrophy. <br /> Call 732-3435. <br /> ***<br /> The Interfaith Cafe will meet from 7 to 9 p.m. June 19, at the South County Civic Center, 16700 Jog Road, Delray Beach. The Interfaith Cafe promotes interfaith dialogue, awareness and understanding by uniting people of different faiths in conversation. A different topic is discussed each month. <br /> Coffee, tea and light desserts are served. A donation of $5 is requested to defray expenses. Call 901-3467.<br /> ***<br /> Back to Woodstock 2015, a fundraiser for Family Promise of South Palm Beach County, which helps local children and families who are temporarily homeless, takes place at 7 p.m. June 19, at the Delray Elks Lodge, 265 N.E. Fourth Ave., in Delray Beach. <br /> Take a trip back to the late ’60s with live music, food, a costume contest and a best brownie contest. Everyone is encouraged to wear 1960s attire, such as your favorite tie-dyed shirt or Nehru jacket, love beads and bell-bottom jeans. <br /> Tickets are $25. Sponsorship levels are $500, $250 and $100. Call 265-3370, Ext. 103. <br /> <br /> <em>Janis Fontaine writes about people of faith, their congregations, causes and community events. Email her at janisfontaine@outlook.com.</em></p></div>Circle of Hope Gala: Delray Dunes Golf and Country Club, Boynton Beach – March 2https://thecoastalstar.com/profiles/blogs/circle-of-hope-gala-delray-dunes-golf-and-country-club-boynton-be2015-04-01T14:51:02.000Z2015-04-01T14:51:02.000ZMary Kate Leminghttps://thecoastalstar.com/members/MaryKateLeming769<div><p></p>
<p style="text-align:center;"><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}7960567453,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-center" src="{{#staticFileLink}}7960567453,original{{/staticFileLink}}" width="360" alt="7960567453?profile=original" /></a><em>Women’s Circle raised $160,000 during its 11th-annual fundraising event, which included dinner, dancing and a silent auction for 200 guests. Proceeds will enable the organization to provide employment tools to disadvantaged women in the area, including and computer and literacy classes, support groups and assistance with interviews and resumes. ABOVE: Jane Robinson, Catherine Jacobus, Barbara Whittaker and Joan Weidenfeld. <strong>Photo provided by Barbara McCormick</strong></em></p></div>Circle of Hope: Delray Dunes Golf and Country Club, Boynton Beach – March 10https://thecoastalstar.com/profiles/blogs/circle-of-hope-delray-dunes-golf-and-country-club-boynton-beach-m2014-04-02T14:37:17.000Z2014-04-02T14:37:17.000ZMary Kate Leminghttps://thecoastalstar.com/members/MaryKateLeming769<div><p style="text-align:center;"><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}7960500256,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-center" src="{{#staticFileLink}}7960500256,original{{/staticFileLink}}" width="573" alt="7960500256?profile=original" /></a><em>The 10th-annual fundraiser for Women’s Circle raised more than $200,000 and featured dinner, dancing and a silent auction attended and enjoyed by 200-plus guests. Pastor Julien Harris, of Saint Thomas More Catholic Church, was one of the inspirational speakers. LEFT: Gay Vela and Phyllis Spinner, with event sponsor Peter Blum. <strong>Photo provided by Barbara McCormick</strong></em><br /><br /><br /></p></div>Circle of Hope: Delray Dunes Golf and Country Club, Delray Beach – March 13https://thecoastalstar.com/profiles/blogs/circle-of-hope-delray-dunes-golf-and-country-club-delray-beach-ma2013-04-09T21:06:49.000Z2013-04-09T21:06:49.000ZMary Kate Leminghttps://thecoastalstar.com/members/MaryKateLeming769<div><p></p>
<p><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}7960444497,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-center" src="{{#staticFileLink}}7960444497,original{{/staticFileLink}}" width="270" alt="7960444497?profile=original" /></a><em>Irene Goo, a Spanish River High School junior and active volunteer for Women’s Circle, presented $2,000 to the organization during its annual fundraising gala — the result of collecting donations from friends, family members and community groups. In all, more than $130,000 was raised. Top: Goo, with Circle of Hope Co-Chairwoman Eileen Augustyn. <strong>Photo by Barbara McCormick</strong></em></p>
<p style="text-align:center;"><em><strong><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}7960444096,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-center" src="{{#staticFileLink}}7960444096,original{{/staticFileLink}}" width="270" alt="7960444096?profile=original" /></a></strong>\Ana Kenefick (left) and Louise Aylward.</em><br /><strong><em>Photo by David Kirk</em></strong></p></div>Pay it Forward: Giving ‘old’ bike, getting happy feeling completes the Circlehttps://thecoastalstar.com/profiles/blogs/pay-it-forward-giving-old-bike-getting-happy-feeling-completes-th2013-01-03T16:43:46.000Z2013-01-03T16:43:46.000ZMary Kate Leminghttps://thecoastalstar.com/members/MaryKateLeming769<div><p style="text-align:center;"><em><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}7960419458,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-center" src="{{#staticFileLink}}7960419458,original{{/staticFileLink}}" width="480" alt="7960419458?profile=original" /></a></em><em>Maculeuse St. Amie, left, thanks siblings Tori and Colin Wheat for their donation of Colin’s old bicycle, which will go to St. Amie’s grandson. <strong>Photo provided</strong></em></p>
<p><strong>By Emily J. Minor</strong><br /> <br />It’s nice being a grandma, especially this time of year. And it’s especially nice when your grandson is sweet and kind, like Colin Wheat, who is all of age 5.<br /> “I was just so moved by it,” says Peggy Martin, aka “Gammy,” who lives in Delray Beach. “It was so sweet.”<br /> Rewind, if you will, to the beginning of December when Colin, who has a big sister, Tori, 7, was about to celebrate his birthday. Doting grandparents Martin and her husband, Joe, got their grandson a new bike, even though the old one was practically as good as new.<br /> “He walked in and he saw it and he said, ‘Oh, is that mine?’” she remembers.<br /> And indeed it was, new horn and all.<br /> But it wasn’t too long until Colin had an idea, and it was an idea prompted by the life lessons he’s already been taught. “They have been introduced to the volunteer aspects of life,” says Martin, who is heavily involved with a charity called Women’s Circle, which trains illiterate and unskilled women so they’re self-sufficient. “It’s also very much instilled in them by their parents.”<br /> The old bike, it was decided by a certain birthday boy, should be given to someone who might otherwise be without.<br /> Gammy knew just the place: Women’s Circle.<br /> So she packed up the grandkids and she headed over to the offices in Boynton Beach, at which time one of those lovely Reader Digest conversations ensued.<br /> In the car, Colin was chatting with his sister — and he said: “Are they going to give me something?”<br /> Martin, who was driving, was silent for a moment, and it was a good thing. Because big sister Tori did not miss a beat.<br /> “She said, ‘Yes, Colin. They’re going to give you something. They’re going to give you happiness.’ ”<br /> And Gammy just about cried. (Well, actually, maybe she did, just a little.)<br /> And so there they were. The little boy wasn’t there, but his caretaker was. And Maculeuse St. Amie thanked Colin and thanked his sister and thanked Gammy.<br /> Colin was shy from all the attention, but Tori stepped up to the plate, chatting up a storm. Tori and Colin are the children of Christina and Troy Wheat, also of Delray Beach. Christina is Peggy and Joe’s daughter, and she teaches at Gulf Stream School, which the children attend.<br /> And on the way home, the bike now headed to a young, unsuspecting owner, Colin was quiet. So Gammy stormed in.<br /> “I told him how wonderful he was and how giving he was and how his heart has to be very happy because he made someone else happy,” she said.<br /> Happy, indeed. A sweet little stranger, two loving parents, and a very special woman named Gammy. <br /><br /><em>For information about the Women’s Circle, call 244-7627, or visit womenscircle.org. The organization is a 501(c) charity.</em><br /><br /></p></div>Carnivale of Caring: Circle of Hope Gala —The Hamlet Country Club, Delray Beachhttps://thecoastalstar.com/profiles/blogs/circle-of-hope-gala-the-hamlet-country-club-d2012-02-29T21:56:00.000Z2012-02-29T21:56:00.000ZMary Kate Leminghttps://thecoastalstar.com/members/MaryKateLeming769<div><p><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}7960376659,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-center" src="{{#staticFileLink}}7960376659,original{{/staticFileLink}}" width="576" alt="7960376659?profile=original" /></a><em>Judge Rodney S. Eielson (from left) and Barbara Messier join honorary chairs Janet and Jerry Soderberg at the Circle of Hope Gala: Carnivale of Caring at The Hamlet Country Club in Delray Beach on Feb. 20. The Mardi Gras-themed event raised $134,000 to benefit Women’s Circle Inc. in their efforts to help lower-income women achieve financial stability. <strong>Photo provided</strong></em></p></div>Carnivale of Caring: Circle of Hope Gala —The Hamlet Country Club, Delray Beachhttps://thecoastalstar.com/profiles/blogs/carnivale-of-caring-circle-of-hope-gala-the-hamlet-country-club-d2012-01-04T16:48:28.000Z2012-01-04T16:48:28.000ZMary Kate Leminghttps://thecoastalstar.com/members/MaryKateLeming769<div><p><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}7960363067,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-center" src="{{#staticFileLink}}7960363067,original{{/staticFileLink}}" width="576" alt="7960363067?profile=original" /></a><em>Carnivale of Caring: The Circle of Hope Gala to benefit the Women’s Circle will be held Feb. 20 at The Hamlet Country Club, 3600 Hamlet Drive, Delray Beach. Cocktails and silent auction at 6 pm, and invocation, dinner and dancing with special guest retired WPTV NewsChannel 5 anchor Jim Sackett and music by Will Bridges at 7:30 pm. Business/cocktail attire. $90. RSVP by 2/10. 244-7627, Ext. 105, or <a href="http://www.womenscircle.org">www.womenscircle.org</a>.</em> <br /><em>Honorary Chairs Janet and Jerry Soderberg (above) and <a href="{{#staticFileLink}}7960363474,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-right" src="{{#staticFileLink}}7960363474,original{{/staticFileLink}}" width="576" alt="7960363474?profile=original" /></a>chairwomen</em></p>
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<p><em>(l-r) Eileen Augustyn, Peggy Martin and Helen Babione. <strong>Photos provided</strong></em></p></div>Women's Circle 'Circle of Hope' Gala is plannedhttps://thecoastalstar.com/profiles/blogs/womens-circle-circle-of-hope2011-02-03T18:53:47.000Z2011-02-03T18:53:47.000ZMary Kate Leminghttps://thecoastalstar.com/members/MaryKateLeming769<div><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}7960322466,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-center" src="{{#staticFileLink}}7960322466,original{{/staticFileLink}}" width="576" alt="7960322466?profile=original" /></a><em>Women's Circle chairs and co-chairs are preparing for the Celebration of a Decade of Caring 'Circle of Hope' Gala, scheduled for 6 p.m., Feb. 28 at Benvenuto Restaurant in Boynton Beach. Standing, from left: Honory Charis Bob and Frances Bourque and Gail and Bob Murphy. Seated, from left: Co-Chairs Peggy Martin, Eileen Augustyn and Helen Babione. Most Reverend Gerald M. Barbarito, Bishop of Palm Beach, and</em> Palm Beach Post <em>columnist Frank Cerabino are featured guests. Dinner, dancing and raffles. RSVP by Feb. 15. $75. Proceeds benefit Women's Circle, Inc. 375-8360.</em></div>