Work Readiness & Self-Employment
WAND - Wo(Men) Achieving New Directions
YWCA Delaware's WAND program offers a wide range of information and support to help Delawareans achieve their career goals and improve their financial health.
Our services cater to the needs of women and their families, and include:
Career Sessions, Roundtables, Workshops
One-to-One Workforce Development Support
Preparing you for success in a post COVID-19 Job Market
Assessment of Business Needs and Resources
Entrepreneur Goal Development and Achievement
DIY Marketing Lab and Workshop
Our organization embraces a wrap-around Care-Team approach to ensure participants receive additional resources as needed while in our programs or during periodic check-ins after graduation, used to support further those we serve.
Current Opportunities
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YW Strive - Digital Literacy
Join YW Strive, a free six-week digital literacy and workforce training program using Google Workspace. Take an assessment to determine your skill level—Basic or Advanced. Open to adults (18+). Connect with a supportive community and gain real-time skills. Any individual facing employment barriers or barriers to attending college is strongly encouraged to register.
Location: YWCA Delaware Home-Life Management Center 709 N. Madison St., Wilmington DE
Time: 5:30 - 8:00 p.m.
Schedule: 6 Weeks Beginning Tuesday, July 9
**Deadline to Register: Friday, July 5**
• Tuesday, July 9, 2024
• Tuesday, July 16, 2024
• Tuesday, July 23, 2024
• Tuesday, July 30, 2024
• Tuesday, August 6, 2024
• Tuesday, August 13, 2024Topics include:
• Digital Skills for the Workplace (Google Drive: Docs, Sheets, Slides, Gmail, Calendars)
• Presentation Skills
• Interview Techniques with Mock Interview
• Partners (professional volunteers)
• Resume Improvement
• Team Work and Collaboration
• SMART Goals (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, and Timely)
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WorkAbility
Join WorkAbility, YWCA Delaware’s four-week career development workshop, which provides essential tools and skills for individuals seeking a job or promotion. This workshop offers a strength analysis, job search strategies, resume-building and interview techniques, job placement, networking, and employment negotiation strategies. This opportunity is open to all and encourages anyone with a justice background to enroll. Registrants must attend all four sessions to receive comprehensive assistance.
Location: YWCA Delaware Home-Life Management Center
709 N. Madison Street, Wilmington, DE 19801Schedule: Wednesday evenings beginning June 5 through June 26 from 5:30 p.m. until 8:00 p.m.
• Wednesday, June 5, 5:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
• Wednesday, June 12, 5:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
• Wednesday, June 19, 5:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
• Wednesday, June 26, 5:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
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Lunch and Learn in the Square for Entrepreneurs
Connect, gain insights from fellow entrepreneurs, and share and celebrate your successes and upcoming events.
Wednesday, July 31, from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.
What to expect:Get ready for an interactive session! Arrive early to park, get settled, and mingle with fellow members. We'll start with quick 30-second to 1-minute intros. Share your name, your business, and what drives you. Keep it concise to respect everyone's time. This is your chance to connect and engage with like-minded professionals!
This is not your typical networking event. We're here to foster meaningful connections. Each week, we'll answer questions about business growth and improvement, leveraging the diverse expertise of our members from various industries. This week’s special guest is Sara Crawford, Experience Architect, at Sara A. Crawford LLC.
Let's support, challenge, and learn from each other. Share your business cards and promote your upcoming activities. Celebrate your successes—share stories of referrals that turned into business or strategies that have worked for you. We encourage one-on-one meetings outside of our weekly gatherings to deepen your understanding of other members and their businesses.
Bring your lunch, your questions, and your enthusiasm! —we can't wait to see you there!
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YElevate Pitch Competition
YWCA Delaware has partnered with the TJX Foundation, Inc. and YWCA USA to host YElevate, a small business pitch competition open to all entrepreneurs with an incorporated, established company. The deadline to apply is March 9th, 11:59:59 p.m.
Chosen finalists will have the opportunity to pitch their business IN PERSON to a panel of judges through an invitation to the YElevate Pitch Competition sponsored by TJX Foundation, Inc. at CSC Station, 112 South French Street, Wilmington, DE on April 25, 2024 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. with the opportunity to compete for $18,500 in prizes (First Place: $7,500, Second Place: $6,000, Third Place: $5,000). By participating in this competition, selected finalists will also gain exclusive access to valuable resources and guidance to help them through the competition process.
