Advancing women’s empowerment
NAWE by the numbers
8 sessions over two days, plus a hiring event with five employer partners: Anova Care, Denver Home Health Care, Colorado Language Services, Metropolis, and Extended Stay America.
7 language interpreters.
5 women who received on-the-spot job offers, including four who had never worked in the United States before.
20+ interviews.
The JFS Career Service team hosted its first New American Women Empowerment (NAWE) Employment event in September, and by all accounts, it was an energizing success!
NAWE’s three-day career development program was designed to connect refugee and immigrant women with opportunities for meaningful employment through individual support, panels, discussion groups, and workshops. Led by other New American women, including JFS staff, volunteers, former clients, and community leaders, the program provided practical career guidance and peer support, helping participants build confidence and community. Attendees gained valuable industry insights and resources while connecting with other women in similar circumstances. Sessions and workshop topics included:
U.S. workplace culture
Cultural considerations
Working as mothers
Industry-specific sessions in housekeeping, interpretation, and early childhood education
Entrepreneurship and side hustles
Job search strategies
Interview preparation
Championing yourself
The event, funded through a combination of grants and donations, included eight sessions with 19 sharp, capable, and intelligent diverse women. Some were formally educated; others were not. One woman was 19, who did not have school or work opportunities in her home country, and another was a 75-year-old grandmother who was a caregiver for her grandchildren but must enter the workforce because her daughter can’t work and she now must support the family. One woman was a lawyer in her home country, while others were never able to work outside the home. Some lived in metropolitan cities while others spent most of their lives in refugee camps. “We met people where they are,” shared JFS Career Services Program Coordinator, Lilia Anderson. “And each woman had the drive and determination to succeed, breaking down larger goals into smaller steps to move forward. It was amazing to see these women lean into their skills and connect over shared stories and experiences.”
In Swahili, “nawe” means “with you.” Participants at the event felt the camaraderie and support necessary to make their journeys successful. Hearing other New American women share their stories and say, “I remember how sad I was and how lonely I felt, but I worked hard, and here I am,” was a powerful message. Knowing others have faced—and overcome—similar challenges is empowering, and that sense of connection was at the heart of the NAWE event.
Thank you to our supporters, volunteers, staff, and employer partners. Your contributions were instrumental in making the event such a success. To our participants, you inspired us, and we look forward to seeing your next steps.