The Fresh Start Scholarship Foundation, a 501(c)(3) charitable organization, is the charitable arm of Wilmington Women in Business.   Our mission is to provide incentive to adult women seeking to improve opportunities for themselves and their families through education. We award annual scholarships based on need, academic record, and potential for success and provide mentoring support through WWB members. Candidates must be enrolled in a two or four year degree program at an accredited Delaware institute of higher learning.  Since its inception in 1996, the foundation has awarded more than $425,000 in scholarships to 120 women who are achieving their goals. 

Scholarship Eligibility

Candidates must:
* Be female.
* Be a U.S. citizen or Permanent Resident.
* Be at least 20 years of age and have a high school diploma or G.E.D.
* Have had at least a two year break in education either after completing high school or during post-secondary (college) studies.
* Be admitted to (or currently enrolled) in an accredited Delaware college in a two or four year degree program at the undergraduate level. (Students who have previously earned a bachelor’s degree are not eligible to apply.).
* Be recommended by a Social Service Agency (or if a Social Service Agency is not available, by a College Representative).
* Have at least a C average if currently enrolled in college.
* Certify financial need.
* Submit a completed application including a personal statement

Scholarship Awards

The number and amount of the awards will be determined annually prior to the fall semester but will in no event exceed the costs of tuition, fees, books and other direct educational expenses. Awards will be paid to the college prior to the beginning of each semester.

DEADLINE: COMPLETED APPLICATIONS MUST BE POSTMARKED BY MAY 31 yearly.
Award Notification: All applicants will be notified on or before July 31 yearly.

How to Apply

Click here for a 2012-2013 application or by writing to:

Fresh Start Scholarship Foundation, Inc.
P.O. Box 7784
Wilmington, DE 19803

 DEADLINE: COMPLETED APPLICATIONS MUST BE POSTMARKED BY MAY 31, 2012

Fresh Start Scholarship Foundation, Inc.
P.O. Box 7784
Wilmington, DE 19803

Candidates should direct their questions about the application or procedure to fsscholar@comcast.net.

How to Donate

*To make a tax-deductible contribution to the Fresh Start Scholarship, please:

Send a check to:
Fresh Start Scholarship Foundation, Inc.
PO Box 7784
Wilmington DE 19803
OR
Make a donation by credit card at
www.NetworkForGood.org
Charity Name: Fresh Start, State: Delaware

2011 – 12 Fresh Start Scholars at the Fresh Start 15^th Anniversary Luncheon

The scholars were also able to connect with their WWB mentors at the luncheon.

Fresh Start really is having an impact on the lives of these deserving women!  Here are a few examples of the appreciation expressed by this year’s scholars upon learning they would be receiving funding and mentoring support from Fresh Start and WWB:

 I wanted to express my gratitude for this scholarship. The arrival of this letter was definitely the highlight of July for me. My daughter’s father passed away suddenly at the beginning of the month, I was in an accident at the end of the month, and I am in the process of moving. So, getting this letter and being awarded the scholarship, and more importantly, a mentor, was the highlight of the month for me. Again, thank you so much for your support and encouragement… Cindi

 Thank you so much for this opportunity!!  I know it is going to be a difficult road for the next two years, but my family and I know this will be a great beginning for us all…Andrea

 I am so honored to receive this award!!! Thank you so much for helping me get another step closer to my dreams…Dorothy

15 years of Fresh Starts were celebrated at a luncheon on October 14, 2011 at the DuPont Country Club

Celebration Award Recipients:

Inspiration Award: Genevieve Burke Marino

 CEO, YWCA Delaware

Achievement Award: Brenné M. Shepperson

 Adult Educator, Christina School District

 Muriel E. Gilman Champion Award: Jack P. Varsalona

President, Wilmington University

Join Wilmington Women in Business for an evening of networking, fun & fashion, as we celebrate building connections with each other in observance of Heart Health Awareness.  Hosted by Nicole Drescher of White House / Black Market, the program will include tips on dressing to feel your best, and for the occasion.  This program will be informative – whether you’re in a position you love, or looking to “dress to impress” for the next role – and a fun way to connect, and re-connect, with each other.

You can read a short Q & A session with Nicole, featuring in Living Well Magazine by clicking HERE

To Register for this event, click HERE

Wilmington Women in Business would like to present Gerrie Dresser, Personal Certified Coach with Unique Genius.

The NEW world of work requires a new set of leadership capabilities and strategies to manage your career and business. Being average is over. Standing out IN the crowd as an authentic and credible expert is required.

• Discovering your unique genius is at the core of the new leadership capabilities.
• Articulating your unique value, authentically, is what gets you recognized as a credible expert.
• Consistently delivering on your unique promise of value is what creates a lifestyle of sustainability and economic vitality.

In this program, you gain access to proven strategies, tools, and real life examples to help you articulate a memorable brand story. Our focus is on the NEW opportunities to leverage your unique leadership capabilities that are reflected in how you connect people and ideas or propose a ‘not-so-obvious’ solution to a problem that is the catalyst to move pivotal projects forward.

Since most people undervalue or minimize their genius, you will collaborate in an interactive exercise so that you get real-time peer coaching on your unique credibility factor. In addition, you will learn how to assess your brand’s clarity, consistency, and constancy to communicate a memorable unique promise of value, and identify the 7 components of a brand-driven resume, a practical framework for articulating your brand story.

Throughout the program, you gain access to real life examples and creative strategies to tell an integrated story that reflects your functional expertise, leadership capabilities and business acumen.

You can register for this event by clicking HERE

You can read Gerrie’s Bio by clicking here

January Leadership Workshop – Discover your leadership style and develop strategies to interact with your team given your strengths & “blind spots” facilitated by Gay Lynch, Thought Partners Inc.

Leaders often need insights in order to reflect upon organizational challenges, their ability to meet and lead through those challenges, and the impact they have on others. Understanding one’s stand-out strengths as well as any blind spots or vulnerabilities ultimately results in effective action.   January’s leadership workshop includes an individualized report pin-pointing strengths & opportunities, which is yours to keep.  The workshop  will build on the findings in your report to help you create a results oriented strategy to dramatically increase your skill and improve communication and focus in order to better face the complexities inherent in today’s organizations.

Thought Partners assist leaders in gaining valuable perspective, leading to increased awareness, new thinking and better informed choice-making. Our approach is based on a process designed to achieve critical outcomes – focusing the leader on specific learn-able behaviors critical to his/her increased success.   As part of the process, each leader receives an individualized report pin-pointing strengths and opportunities.  After registering for the event, a link containing the questionnaire to generate your individual report will be sent.  Please complete prior to the workshop.

This workshop typically costs $290 – but is being offered only through partnership with WWB for $70 (includes Dinner and the Workshop)

Space will be limited, so please register early to take advantage of this one-time opportunity. Please click here to register.

University and Whist Club
805 North Broom St.
Wilmington, DE 19806

Map and Directions | Register

Description:

Call or e-mail Shelby today to book your reservation!

(302)658-5125

ssuddard@universitywhist.com

Shopping Vendors (more to come):

- 31 Bags

- Annie-Prue

- Cookies by Andrea

- Jockey La Petite

- Longrunners

- Michele Jennings’s Gifts

- NV Boutique

- On A Whim Crafts

- Pottery Barn

- Stella & Dot Jewelry

- Tabletop Treasures

- Tastefully Simple

Register

The Women’s Initiative was founded in 2004 by a group of women on the United Way board with the mission of uniting women to give, advocate, and volunteer in support of at-risk women and girls. Last year, this group founded the “Women’s Initiative Next Generation” (WING) group of women leaders, ages 25-35, who share the same philanthropic spirit and are able to dedicate their time to group and individual volunteer efforts.

This is an exciting opportunity for you to connect with local agencies who serve at-risk women and children in the Philadelphia region and who are looking for
volunteers with a variety of different skillsets.  You will also have an opportunity to network with other women who share your desire to give back.

Event Details: Women Giving Back Summit
Date: Wednesday November 9th
When: 4:30 p.m.- 7 p.m.
Location: NBC 10 Studios, 10 Monument Rd, Bala Cynwyd, PA 19004

We have a limited number of spots for those interested in participating. Spots are available on a first come, first serve basis. Please reply to jmorlock@uwsepa.org if you would like to attend.

Marcia Zaruba O’Connor|President

The O’Connor Group

o 484-302-0160

c 484-904-7500

www.tocgrp.com 

moconnor@tocgrp.com

University and Whist Club
805 N Broom Street
Wilmington, DE

Map and Directions | Register

Description:

Are you confused about where to search for a new job? Is it unclear which social media sites can help you network?  Well, you are not alone and we may have the answers!  Please come out to a BREAKFAST Networking event hosted by the Wilmington Women in Business.

Register

If you are getting married, Delaware Today and Delaware Brides 22nd Annul Bridal Show is the premiere show in Delaware.  Meet over 50 wedding professionals that will offer tips to plan the wedding of your dreams.  Exhibitors include facilities, florists, photographers, retailers, bakeries and more! Guys can check out our “Groom Room” and guests will be eligible to win awesome door prizes including an Apple Vacation to Now Resorts and Spas in Riviera Maya! Join us on Sunday, February 26th from noon to 3:30 at Deerfield.

Purchase discounted tickets in advance by clicking on the Ad below:

 Join Us for these Upcoming Events:

Upstate Bridal Show – Sunday, February 26th at Deerfield

Downstate Bridal Show – Sunday, April 22nd at Nassau Valley Vineyards

Sign Up for Contests and Events.  Visit us at:

http://www.delawaretoday.com/Delaware-Today/Parties-Promotions/