Aside from policy change, the WRC
offers hands-on programs to help and
families. “We are so fortunate to live in a
region where every day there are people,
companies, foundations, and agencies
focusing on the tough questions such as
affordable housing, quality child care, and
livable wages,” remarks Brown.
to start. “Imagine if you were living
paycheck-to-paycheck, underemployed
but unsure of how you are going to get
a higher paying job,” she illustrates.
“Imagine if you were going through an
emotional rough spot and did not have the
resiliency or support system to remind you
that this too shall pass? Everyday women
walk through our doors who are struggling
with issues like these, and we are here
to help. At WRC, we have staff and
volunteers who connect, train, mentor,
and support our clients on their journey.
We are their support system, their tribe.”
Two Decades of Dedication
Born in Carrollton, Georgia, Brown
Columbia, South Carolina and graduated
started volunteering at WRC nearly 20
years ago.
“I was working in Palmetto at Ohio
Transformer and used to drive by the
center on Manatee Avenue,” she recalls.
“One day, I decided to call and see what
volunteer opportunities were available.”
Her first volunteering “job” with the
organization was teaching computer
classes at night. “I loved working with
the clients and really connected with the
mission of WRC,” she enthuses.
A couple of years later, Ohio Transformer
was sold, and Brown lost her job.
Coincidentally, there was a job opening
finance and development. “It was a
complete departure from what I had
been doing professionally, but I wanted
to work at WRC—so I applied, and the
rest is history!”
Brown became the WRC Director in April
2003. Today, as President & CEO, she is
mission, and her passion for the work
continues to grow.
While her job is certainly challenging at
times, Brown says it is also extremely
fulfilling. “Without question, the most
rewarding part of my job is the clients,”
she says. “Whether I am interacting with
them directly or just hearing their stories
from staff or volunteers, they are the
reason I come to work every day.”
Brown says she recently ran into a client
who was leaving a WRC class. “I asked
her how things were going,” she says.
came here in pieces and you all helped
Last month, Brown received an email from
back in 1979. The email read something
like this: “he Challenge program
turned my life around I was divorced,
heartbroken, the mother of two, and had
no idea how I was going to support us I
was a member of the second Challenge
graduating class, under the tutelage of
Muriel uimby ecause of her belief in
me, and the support I found, I was able to
move forward I built on the foundation of
the Challenge classes, lived a successful
life, and still put the skills I learned in this
program to use I will be forever grateful
to WRC for helping to guide my life on a
ourney of blessings”
These are just a couple of the amazing
WRC success stories among thousands
that span over four decades. “The
collective impact of our services is
amazing,” Brown emphasizes.
A Resource for ALL Women
Brown wants to get the word out that
valuable programs for women of all ages,
backgrounds, and walks of life. “We
want to make sure people are aware of
our programs,” she explains. “There
are so many wonderful agencies doing
great work in our community, but people
are not aware of all of the services
available to them or are unsure of how to
access services.”
Brown emphasizes that the WRC is
available for anyone and everyone. “If you
or someone you know is struggling with
anything, please reach out to WRC,” she
encourages. “If we do not have a program
with another resource.”
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• For more info, contact the WRC at 941-256-9721, visit MyWRC.org or send a Facebook message to www.Facebook.com/mywrc.org.
/MyWRC.org
/mywrc.org