IMPACT EVALUATION REPORT EMPOWERED WOMEN INTERNATIONAL
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EWI Background In 2002, Marga Fripp an immigrant from Romania created Empowered Women International (EWI). EWI is an award-winning non-profit organization that channels the entrepreneurial spirit, the arts, and the creative capital of talented and high-potential immigrant, refugee and low-income women into new jobs and small businesses. We help women rebuild their lives, their families and livelihoods – one woman at the time.
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EWI Goals EWI believes in using innovative means to combat poverty and prejudice, and to enact sustainable, systematic social change. • Goal 1. Lift women out of poverty and isolation by enabling them to create
and sustain micro-businesses, attain upward economic mobility and give back to the community. • Goal 2. Realize long-term community impact and economic benefit by
supporting and investing in women graduates’ businesses and connecting them with a wider network of business professionals and community programs • Goal 3. Raise awareness and increase appreciation for the cultural
contributions that immigrant and refugee women, along with their family, make to our country
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EWI Programs • A 3-month intensive entrepreneurial training, Entrepreneur
Training for Success (ETS) along with ongoing business coaching, networking and support services. Program includes a mentoring and civic engagement component. • Business Counseling, Coaching and Mentoring Services,
which provides graduates of the ETS with one-on-one business assessment, consultations, coaching and mentoring services for community artists and creative entrepreneurs. • An Artist Marketplace Program that allows ETS graduates to
generate income and build a market for their products by selling their work through EWI marketplace events.
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Spring 2012 ETS Graduates
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Who do we serve? • EWI targets low-income, at-risk, immigrant, and refugee women
artists and creative entrepreneurs. • We use “at risk” to describe women in vulnerable economic,
social, or physical conditions. Including but not limited to: • Exposure to discrimination • Single mothers • Exposure to violence or abuse • Financial issues • Marital problems • Depression/mental health issues • Isolation
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Outcome Evaluation Overview • This is EWI’s first comprehensive outcome report, it serves as a snapshot
of our clients before and after their involvement with EWI
• To track our impact, EWI acquired an outcome management system
“Outcome Tracker” in 2012
• Baseline data was collected at Intake from 110 ETS clients ranging from
years 2006-2012
• Follow-up data was collected from 52 ETS graduates ranging from years
2006-2012 via an online survey • Surveys gathered both quantitative and qualitative feedback including
socioeconomic data, income, professional and business pursuits and the role the women play in their families and communities
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Fall 2011 ETS Graduates
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Overview of Report Findings • The report shows how EWI- in combination with a number
of other factors- is making a difference in graduates’ businesses and lives • EWI is contributing to improving our graduates’ business
practices and skills, self-confidence, and social networks • These changes appear to have a positive impact on the
women’s businesses’ performance, income levels, employment status as well as positive social and economic outcomes within their families and communities
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Client Profile at Intake • Average age range of clients is 35-44 • 79% of clients have an Associate’s
Degree or higher
• 62% of clients are heads of
households
• 24% of clients are single mothers
• 59% of clients are immigrants or
refugees
• 66% of clients are low-income
(household income less than $30,000 a year)
• 77% of clients are considered “at-
risk”
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Type of Businesses Started by Graduates Performing Art
Jewelry, Fashion, Art Glass, Textile Design
Fine Art, Photography
Graphic Design, Multimedia Art
Educational Services
Catering and Food Services
Cleaning Services
Health and Well-Being Services
Nonprofit/Community Development
Beauty and Personal Care
Consulting 6%
4%
4% 6% 2%
24%
4%
5%
12% 29% 4%
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Business Impact •  58% of graduates have increased their production
level since completing ETS
Business Expansion Plans for Next Year 100% 90% 80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0%
88%
81%
78%
47% 34%
Geographically
Number of Clients
Number of Products or Services
Number of Events Attending
Hiring Additonal Employees
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Mariam Mohamed, Spring 2012 ETS Graduate & Owner of “Bahari Deco Crafts”
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Personal Income • 49% of graduates increased their personal income after completing ETS • Average personal income at Intake was between $10,000-$19,999 • Average personal income Post-ETS is between $20,000-$29,999
30%
26% 23%
25% 20%
Itake
21%
16%
16%
15% 10% 5% 0%
14%
12% 9%
9% 5%
9% 5%
Post-ETS
9%
9%
7% 2%
2%
2% 2%
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Household Income • 49% of graduates increased their household income after completing ETS • Average household income at Intake was between $30,000-$39,999 • Average household income Post-ETS is between $40,000-$49,999 30% 25% 20% 15% 10% 5% 0%
25%
Intake
22% 17% 12% 7%
7%
Post-ETS 17%
15% 12% 7%
5%
5%
10%
7% 3%
7%
10%
12%
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Mental Health Percentage of Clients by Traumatic Experience Isolation Financial Problems Sexual Abuse or Assault Domestic Violence Marriage Problems Anxiety or Stress Depression Social Trauma Discrimination
53% 45% 14% 17% 22% 49% 32% 22% 27%
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
*Please note that clients could select more than one answer to this survey question so percentages add up to more than 100%
• 79% of graduates that experienced these traumas stated that
after completing ETS they were doing “very well” or “good”
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Personal Impact 97% of graduates stated that their involvement with EWI expanded their social support system “The EWI program brings all members together as a family and helps us each in building a unique, strong and relevant networking group.” – Mariam Mohamed, Spring 2012 ETS Graduate
Many graduates reported that their involvement with EWI helped them regain their confidence and recognize their selfworth “EWI is a place where I found confidence, information, guidance, help, love, and friendship.” –Azeb Yilma Spring 2012 ETS Graduate
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Personal Impact • 38% of graduates stated that
their participation with EWI improved their English skills • Since graduating, 10 women
purchased a computer, 5 women purchased a car, and 4 women paid off debt
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Personal Impact •  Unemployment among our clients decreased by 34% between Intake and the Post Graduate Survey while self-employment increased 34% 50%
44%
42%
40% 30% 20% 10%
10%
8%
0% Unemployed Intake
Self-Employed Post-ETS
Research has suggested that an employed mother provides children with a positive role model about the value of working hard, and lessens other, non-economic stresses on the family
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Family Impact Maternal influence has been found to be a leading factor over whether children stayed on at school and went on to study at university as well as social mobility within the family. • 70% of graduates consider themselves to
be a better role model to their children and/or family • 57% of our graduates saw their children
enroll in college or specialized school, received an honor/award, or participated in community events • 47% of our graduates sent remittances to
their families or communities in their home country
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Life After ETS: Leadership Percentage of Graduates by Leadership Role Religious Organizations
12%
Non-Profit Organizations
35%
Professional Associations
29%
City or County Councils
6%
School PTA's
24% 0%
5%
10%
15%
20%
25%
30%
35%
40%
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Aida Mady, Spring 2012 ETS Graduate & Owner of “Cooking and Beyond”
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Life After ETS: Education Percentage of Graduates by Educational Opportunity Master's Degree
8%
Associate's Degree
8% 3%
GED Technical Training
13%
Educational Courses/Workshops
11% 16%
Professional Certificate ESL Class
11% 0%
2%
4%
6%
8%
10%
12%
14%
16%
18%
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Service and Philanthropy “Women are more likely than men to share their knowledge and financial gains with their family and communities.” • 86% of our graduates have volunteered
with EWI
• 83% of graduates have donated money or
goods to charitable organizations
• 90% of graduates have volunteered with a
local organization
• 68% of graduates have served as a mentor
to adults
• 39% of graduates have served as a mentor
to youth
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Testimonial “ETS was really the birthplace of my business. I would never have had the courage to work full-time as a creative without it. If that wasn't enough, the course itself gave us all the tools necessary, with a holistic approach in a supportive environment, to begin building (and later growing) the business(es) of our dreams.” -Tiffany Carter, Fall 2011 ETS graduate & Owner of “Vessica Splendor”
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Testimonial “Without EWI, my business plans would not exist. EWI’s coaches and mentors have been the best. They have been encouraging, and motivating me all along the program. They have been especially patient with me and my work as English is my second language and I don't have a formal education in business. I am now a stronger woman physically and mentally. The women of EWI have given me the strength necessary to move forward and to tackle the world of business.” - Maggie Erteschik, Fall 2011 ETS Graduate & Owner of “Ms. Maggie’s Cot Covers”
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Testimonial “The contacts that I have been able to make via EWI have been invaluable to my success the past 24 months. The family unit that EWI has become for me keeps me moving forward knowing that I am not limited to just my base of knowledge. With EWI you will find that if there is a skill or information that you need, you can usually find it with one to two telephone calls within the EWI network of members and supporters.� -Tacha Coleman Parr, 2010 ETS Graduate & Jazz Singer and Songwriter