Reverend Joseph E. Kurtz, D.D. Bishop | Archdiocese of Louisville

By Alecia Westmorland, OSV News

During her years ministering in rural Brazil, Sister Frances Sedlacek witnessed a movement that shifted her worldview. "The women in Brazil were like slaves. They had no rights, no say in anything, but they started fighting (for equality). They said, 'We want a voice in our villages and in decisions being made,'" recalled Sister Frances, 75, a member of the Sisters of St. Francis of Perpetual Adoration. "(I had the) experience of watching these women finding a voice."

Inspired to empower women similarly in her hometown of Colorado Springs, Colorado, she returned in 1998 and found two fellow Sisters of St. Francis passionate about the same idea: Sister Jeannette Kneifel and Sister Marilyn Uhing.

"We were alive with the idea of women helping women to have a voice in their own life," Sister Frances said. "We got together and decided to develop a new program."

The result was Women Partnering, a nonprofit serving financially vulnerable women in Colorado Springs by providing tools and support for economic sustainability and independence. Since its inception in 2001, the organization has assisted over 5,400 women and 5,000 children at no cost.

"We've had many women go through (our programs) and completely turn their lives around," said Sister Frances, now vice president of Women Partnering's board.

From its planning stages involving five financially struggling yet outspoken local women to its current operations supported by CommonSpirit Health's office space donation, Women Partnering has continuously evolved.

Initially inviting women needing help to connect with them directly led to developing individual development plans addressing financial, medical, housing, mental health, and educational needs.

"(This plan) helps women establish their goals and identify what's the most urgent need right now," explained Sister Frances. The nonprofit aids each woman by leveraging its network of agencies and charities for essential resources.

After addressing immediate issues such as eviction or utility disconnection threats, Women Partnering works on additional goals for economic sustainability. Services include finding shelter, connecting clients with discounted medical services or counseling stipends, funding transportation costs for job seekers without cars, and training on practical skills like booking doctor appointments or writing resumes.

"It's all holistic," noted Sister Frances. "Our basic (goal) is to help them have a voice."

The need remains high across diverse demographics including single mothers and immigrants facing destitution or homelessness due to various circumstances. Housing shortages are significant; Colorado faces a deficit of nearly 120 thousand affordable rental homes for low-income renters according to the National Low Income Housing Coalition.

Women Partnering’s programs often grow through word-of-mouth recommendations among clients who benefit from initiatives like Drop-In sessions developed by Sister Marilyn Uhing which cover topics ranging from budgeting to conflict resolution based on client suggestions.

With just a small team comprising staff members plus volunteers under Executive Director Jennifer Taylor’s leadership—650 women were served last year alone—the organization makes substantial impacts one client at a time.

"Everybody believes in the mission," Taylor stated emphatically while recounting transformative stories such as assisting human trafficking survivors into stable housing or supporting domestic violence victims towards safety until permanent solutions could be arranged.

In addition to aiding mothers facing crises situations like sudden abandonment or disabilities within family dynamics requiring special accommodations not met elsewhere—Women Partnering also enriches children’s lives via KidZ Partnering Junior Optimist International Club offering community service opportunities alongside educational excursions fostering leadership skills among youths involved therein since founding back circa-2013 onwards...

Sister Marilyn emphasized how broader community benefits when families achieve stability: “We are grateful that God has given us strength/energy do this,” she reflected upon concluding remarks noting privilege inherent living out Gospel values through such dedicated efforts over years gone-by thus far indeed…