Boston: Save Funding for the Center for Women & Entreprise

This week, Governor Deval Patrick vetoed the Workforce Training Fund from the Massachusetts budget, after the state legislature had overwhelmingly approved the fund, which contained $250,000 for the Center for Women & Enterprise, an amount we have received from the state for the last five years.

This fund was created to encourage job growth in the Commonwealth, and to provide training to those who need it most--displaced workers, parents re-entering the workforce, and entrepreneurs adding strength to the Massachusetts economy by driving new business. The Center for Women & Enterprise does just that, providing education, training, technical assistance, counseling and access to capital to every woman (and man) who walks through our doors, regardless of economic circumstance.

You can make a great difference for the 2,800 clients CWE will serve this year by contacting House Speaker Salvatore DiMasi (617.722.2500) , Senate President Therese Murray (617.722.1500) ,and your state senator and representative, and asking them to override the veto of line item 7003-0702. Emphasize how vital this money is to the premier women's organization that helps Massachusetts' workers become self-sufficient and prosperous. Because the funding process begins in the House, please start with Speaker DiMasi, and let us know when you've made contact.

Tell the leadership and your legislators that this investment by the Commonwealth provides an incredibly strong return in terms of job and revenue creation. In Massachusetts alone over the last 12 years, CWE has:

Served 12,000 clients
Created almost 14,000 jobs
Generated over $400 million in taxable wages
CWE believes that every person, regardless of economic status, should have the opportunity to become economically self-sufficient and prosperous. Although CWE has the financial support of the business community, foundations and individual donors, we are dependent on this allocation from the Commonwealth to meet the needs of our clients. It is imperative that CWE continues to receive support from Massachusetts. Without this money, what we can accomplish over the next year may be severely limited. Please contact your representatives as soon as possible and explain to them the value of CWE to the economic vitality of the women of Massachusetts.

To look up your STATE SENATOR AND REPRESENTATIVE, click to this link.

Thank you, as always, for all you do for the Center and for women entrepreneurs everywhere. We will be sure to keep you abreast of the situation.

Sincerely,

Donna Mullen GoodChief Executive Officer
Center for Women & Enterprise