The Women’s Resource Center is increasingly called upon to work on system-wide issues affecting women and girls such as poverty, health care, domestic violence, cancer prevention, substance abuse and more. We are looked to as “the voice” for women. Center staff and volunteers provide their expertise to variety of initiatives working on behalf of women and girls.
Habitat for Humanity
WRC supports Habitat for Humanity’s Women Build projects which provide women a non-intimidating opportunity to gain basic construction skills and allow them to take part in a larger goal of helping a family move into safe and affordable housing. During Women Build, women and girls 16 and older volunteer in the construction of a single family home. No previous construction experience is necessary. For information about forthcoming Women Build projects, call 382-9735.
Health Coalition of Southwest Colorado (formerly the Women’s Wellness Connection)
WRC is a supporter of The Health Coalition of Southwest Colorado and encourages women to stay healthy. No woman should go without annual breast and cervical screenings.
For nearly 20 years, the Health Coalition of Southwest Colorado (HCSC) has reached out to help people with cancer. HCSC began with a fight against breast cancer, then expanded to all cancers. As their efforts grew, they gained increasing financial support from the community. Since 2006, their volunteer organization has raised and given away over $100,000 in gas cards and treatment grants. The Health Coalition Fund provides up to $500 for rent, household expenses, groceries, and other necessities to people with cancer. Grants are available to individuals who meet the following criteria:
• Currently undergoing treatment or have completed treatment in the last three months
• Live in Archuleta, Dolores, La Plata, Montezuma, or San Juan County
• Receive treatment at SW Oncology and the Durango Cancer Center
• Meet current income guidelines
You can learn more on their website here, and fill out an application to get funding.
Blueprints of Hope
A community-based cancer nurse navigation and supportive care program for cancer patients and survivors, serving five counties in Southwest Colorado. Blueprints of Hope works with patients and cancer survivors through all phases of the cancer continuum, educating them about their diagnosis, treatment options, helping them address the physical, practical, psychosocial, and emotional issues a cancer diagnosis presents. The population they serve consists of cancer patients, survivors, their caregivers, families and friends. Our goal is to remove barriers and meet the needs that are not currently being addressed within the in the cancer care community. The WRC regularly makes referrals to this agency in an effort to support our local residents effected by cancer.
A Voice in Policy
WRC encourages women to be politically active regardless of their party affiliation. We believe that women everywhere owe it to our foremothers for their courageous fight to earn us the right to vote. La Plata County voters can learn more about current election candidates and issues from the League of Women Voters.
Every March during Women’s History Month, we work with the Fort Lewis College Women and Gender Studies Program faculty, staff and students to present a series of low-cost or free lectures on current issues that affect women and families today.
Violence Prevention Coalition
WRC is a member of the Violence Prevention Coalition of Southwest Colorado, which brings together social service agencies, law enforcement and the courts to work on issues related to women and violence. The WRC Executive Director is a member of the VPC’s Public Education Committee.
Smoking Cessation Efforts
WRC is proud to work with San Juan Basin Health Department’s tobacco use prevention and education division on a strategic plan related to disparately-affected populations and their unique needs when quitting smoking. These include people of low socio-economic status (SES), people with disabilities (physical and mental), youth and minorities. WRC will concentrate its efforts on women of low SES and girls entering high school.
Colorado Consumer Health Initiative
WRC is member of the Colorado Consumer Health Initiative, a unified, statewide organization of more than 200 agencies, consumers and consumer advocates whose goal is adequate and affordable health care for everyone in the state.
Women’s History Month
Each March, we partner with the Fort Lewis College Gender and Women’s Studies Program and other organizations to produce a series of low-cost or free events that raise awareness about issues that impact women and their ability to take care of themselves and their families.