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For ten years, the local organization has been empowering women to make lasting changes to their lives
Jay Elliott
A loud, collective “swoosh” of air fills the conference room at the Harwich Community Center and is quickly followed by invigorating peals of laughter. Nearly 30 women break into smiles over the breathing exercise during a stress management workshop held at a recent WE CAN Pathmakers meeting. The women are here to recap the previous month since their last meting, to enjoy each other’s company, and cheer over small “wins,” whether it is attending a family event out of state, enjoying an evening out, or solidifying personal goals. Though it is obvious from smiling faces that there are no small wins here.
The Pathmakers group is one of the many programs that WE CAN, a Cape-wide nonprofit organization, has established in its ten trailblazing years. It is the organization’s signature mentoring program and is unique on Cape Cod. Pathmakers, women in major life transitions, are paired up with Partners after a “speed dating” type of event to see who will work best with whom. Partners work with Pathmakers over the course of a year to help them achieve goals, no matter the size or nature, so they can move their lives forward in a healthy and progressive manner. Joining a recent monthly meeting, it is striking to me how impossible it is to tell the difference between the Pathmakers and Partners. The problems these women deal with are issues many of us often face.
Led by dynamic and experienced Executive Director Andi Genser and a dedicated Board of Directors, WE CAN has achieved success in the community by helping women help themselves. The nonprofit realized early on that giving women the tools to triumph over difficulties and help themselves through transitional situations is the ultimate key to success for the individual.
“After modest beginnings, we now have a great, committed Board of Directors and an extraordinary executive director,“ says Chatham’s Dick Sullivan, who helped launch WE CAN with three of his former students and a fellow staff member at Cape Cod Community College.
Sullivan is not alone in seeing the impact the organization has held on local women and their families. The need for help has risen and WE CAN has met the demand for free basic legal and finance advice. The organization assists women with everything from learning how to balance a budget to finding housing and career counseling. Local women have the opportunity of calling the WE CAN offices to sign up for legal and divorce boot camps as well as one-on-one thirty minute sessions with local lawyers.
“We are empowering women to make lasting changes,” says Genser from her cozy office at the WE CAN headquarters in Harwich Port. Visitors to the WE CAN office are greeted by Kara Duff, who mans the phones, welcomes visitors and dispenses information with a bright smile. Just a few short years ago, Duff was on the other end of the desk. A single mom looking for help, she turned to WE CAN for advice and direction.
“I’ve always been able to get by and survive, but going through the Pathmakers program and having an awesome mentor helped me flourish,” says Duff. She knows that many of the women who call WE CAN have complicated problems and she handles each client with care.
WE CAN spoke with over 2,000 clients in 2010 and the numbers of locals served have jumped dramatically over the last year. With a staff of three, including Genser, Duff, and Program Director Mary Jaynes, WE CAN relies heavily on local volunteers and sponsors.
“One of the things that is so important to us is to collaborate with other organizations,” says Genser, which includes a successful fundraising cabaret performance held this past winter with the Lower Cape Outreach Council and the Community Development Partnership.
As WE CAN celebrates its 10th year, the nonprofit looks forward to increasing their staff and expanding their services as local women call on the organization for strength and support.
