Nontraditional Employment for Women

Nontraditional Employment for Women (NEW) is one of Robin Hood's most powerful anti-poverty investments, training 400 women a year to be carpenters, electricians and construction workers. "Being an electrician means I have financial freedom," says graduate Rochelle James. "I can pay my bills. I have a skill I can use anywhere in the world." Robin Hood supports NEW to expand upon this success and bring it to capacity.

Most of NEW's participants have endured many of the same hardships as James. They're single moms, living on and off public assistance, without a college education or sufficient job training for today's environment. NEW not only trains them but offers classes in math, literacy and fitness as well as referrals for counseling, child care, health care and housing.

Her life story is especially inspiring. Shortly after the father of her son was shot and killed, multiple sclerosis took her mother. A spell of depression followed, and she lost one job after another. Soon she and her son, Chelldon, became homeless. In 2001, she applied to NEW, and her life turned around.

June 2006 was a special month for her family. She earned her associate's degree in labor studies; her son graduated high school; and her daughter, Zariah, graduated kindergarten. Zariah now attends Leadership Prep, a Robin Hood grantee. Chelldon plans on following his mother's footsteps into a construction career.