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TRAINING PROGRAMS FOR LOW INCOME WOMEN -
SUSAN VANDER
VOET & DOT QUIGGIN
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Susan Vander Voet is a social worker who has worked for
the past seven years as co-ordinator for Opportunity for Advancement, an
innovative vocational and life planning program for sole support mothers living
on social assistance. Recently, Susan has become Program Director for St.
Christopher House Neighborhood Centre.
Dorothy Quiggin is a social worker who has been a
program planner and consultant for Humber College. Dot is currently
Co-ordinator of Serivces for the Lakeshore Area Multi-Service Project, Toronto,
and a board member with Opportunity for Advancement. |
The workshop focused primarily on the Opportunity for
Advancement program - a group program for single parent women living on public
assistance. It was attended by 100 women, many of whom shared information about
programs and issues they were involved with in their own communities and
provinces.
Susan Vander Voet and Dorothy Quiggin led the discussion which
dealt with:
- the goals of the O.F.A. program - to build self-esteem and
plan effectively for the future;
- the format of the program - 1/2 day for 14 weeks with child
care and transportation provided;
- research results of the program and their importance for
funding; and
- the advocacy role of the organization, i.e. teaching
advocacy skills and joining with women in advocating on issues of concern.
The discussion emphasized the self-help and mutual aid aspects
of the groups, the positive impact of the program on women's lives, the
follow-up with women from the groups and their ongoing participation in all
aspects of the organization.
The evolution of the O.F.A. training program for professionals
and its importance for spreading the format and philosophy of the program to
others working with low income women and women in other language and cultural
groups were discussed.
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