In 1988, Womansong, under the leadership of founding director Linda Metzner, created the New Start Fund (NSF) to provide a hand up to women in Western North Carolina who are starting on a new path to self-sufficiency and a brighter future. The NSF is administered by Womansong volunteers committed to good stewardship. All scholarship decisions and grant applications are carefully considered. Every dollar designated for the NSF goes directly to women in need!
Applications for New Start Grants are completed by the case managers at government or private social service agencies on behalf of their clients. These grants are intended to fill in when other short-term funding options are not available. Applications are submitted to Womansong’s New Start committee for consideration. This one-time grant per individual is available for the amount of need up to $700.
Examples of grants that have been funded include:
The First New Start Scholarship was awarded in 2009 at Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College. Since that time, we have extended our educational scholarships to include Blue Ridge Community College, Haywood Community College, and McDowell Tech Community College.
The New Start PIE (Parity in Education) Scholarship was initiated in 2020 to address inequities in education. These scholarships are reserved for African American and Latina women.
A Womansong GED Fund to cover testing fees is available at all four community colleges for women with financial need. Inquire at the financial aid office.
IN THEIR OWN WORDS
“Dear Womansong, I really appreciate the laptop that was given to me through your organization. It has helped out so much. It will help me further my education and help me reach my goals I have set for myself.”
“Thank you! There would never be the ideal words … This is a wonderful service to individuals that are working hard on their goals.”
“ . . . you have literally saved our lives as we are on the brink of and in the midst of a crisis too great for me alone. I can tell my son he doesn’t need to pack his room up and I can rest and know that things will get better.”
“…..This is such wonderful news. I am elated with joy and just called the recipient to let her know. She asked me to tell you the following: “I am so grateful. God is good. I appreciate you all so much for helping me and my son’s safety.”
“Your generosity and willingness to help out means a great deal to us and even more to Helpmate’s clients. Sometimes there’s nowhere else to turn for help and financial assistance. It’s comforting to know you are there. Thanks.”
“It is impossible to be self-sufficient without stable housing; Womansong New Start Grants have assisted our customers with paying back balances to public housing which were preventing a family from being eligible to rent and helped numerous homeless families to get into standard housing by paying security deposits or first month rent, so that they were not living in a car or literally out in the cold.”
“Thank you so much for your contribution towards a car insurance payment for our client. Having this car insurance paid enables her to transport her kids to school, and has allowed her to start a new job. Perhaps most importantly it allows her a safe way to leave her house if she is attacked. Thanks again for taking down another obstacle.”
“We are truly grateful for your continued commitment and standing with us over the years. Your contribution toward equivalency testing fees helps ensure that the Foundation continues to meet important standards that sustain our mission and strengthen our work in the community.”
“I want to send my most sincere thanks to you and your scholarship. As I enter my last semester of school, I can do so now knowing that I will have the funds to pay for it and not have a worry. I feel honored to be selected for this scholarship. It feels nice to be seen. When I’m done with school and am completely financially independent, I would love to be able to give back to my community in the same way that your scholarship is doing. Thank you for your kindness and generosity.”
“I want to thank you for not only supporting me but believing in me. I was fortunate to leave my job and pursue my dream of graduating college, thanks to your generosity.”
“Today, I walk a little taller. Today, I feel accomplished. Today, I graduated with my GED. It gives me a sense of pride. Now, unlike before, I am able to explore the idea of college,and I have the chance to be somebody . . . I would like to thank Womansong for funding the test and making it all possible.”
YOU MAKE THE DIFFERENCE!
Contribute to the New Start Fund online by clicking the donate button below
Or by mailing a check to:
Womansong New Start Fund
P.O. Box 61
Asheville, NC 28802
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