M.I.N.D. Training 2017 begins
Monday, January 23, 2017, 10:00 am until 1:00 pm
Women's Center
Montague Institute for New Directions (MIND) is a twelve-week skills building and leadership training program for women who are ready to take the next step in their lives - whatever that step may be. For some, it could be continuing their education, entering or re-entering the workforce, or starting a business. Women who feel ready to take their next step but are unsure of what it is are also encouraged to participate. MIND can help define a course of action and set attainable goals.
As women come to recognize their goals, they help each other map out the steps it takes to achieve success. Starting January 23, 2017 MIND will run on Mondays from 10am-1pm through April 17th at the Women’s Center at Montague Catholic Social Ministries (formerly known as The Turners Falls Women’s Resource Center). Thursdays from 1:30-3:30 will be available for additional peer support, leadership building and use of the computer lab for research, resume writing or whatever is needed to set and reach self-identified goals.
Throughout the program, in-depth discussions help participants recognize, acknowledge and embrace each woman’s innate wisdom and skills gained through life experience. The long range goal for the project is to create an extensive, supportive network that nurtures women’s strengths and leads to self-empowerment. By building self-esteem, leadership, employability and economic development skills women can realize increased economic security and options to improve their lives and the lives of their families.
The MIND Program adapts to reflect each participant’s self-identified needs. When the MIND 2016 roster included several writers, we decided to invite a local publisher to come speak to us about getting work published. Participants started bringing in other resources and the possibility of a monthly Women Writers Series was discussed. One 2016 graduate has made inquiries to other local publishers and has found them to be very willing to be guest speakers to share their knowledge and experience with us. We hope to have a schedule for The Women’s Writers Series set for 2017.
We are fortunate to have so many amazing resources in our area. For the past two years Kathleen Bowen from the Center for Biography and Social Art has met with the group several times over the 12 weeks to offer exercises designed to help participants recognize and expand upon personal strengths, build confidence, and identify long and short term goals.
Guest speakers from the Franklin Hampshire Career Center, the Franklin County Community Development Corporation and Greenfield Community College come to the program and share the resources their institutions have to offer; building a stronger social and professional network of support to ensure growth and success. If there is interest and time allows, field trips to these and other agencies are arranged so women can become familiar with their location and get a tour.
The practice of developing community and peer support among women to increase self-esteem, confidence, and leadership capabilities along with increased skills for improved employment opportunities has been a successful approach to supporting women in improving their lives. From here, each woman is more ready to courageously set out on a path of her own choosing.
There is no cost to participate. The MIND Training Program is funded through 2017 by the Women's Fund of Western Massachusetts as part of the Franklin County Women’s GARDEN (Growing Agricultural Resiliency and Developing Economic Networks) Project.
For more information contact Christine Diani, Programs Coordinator at the Women’s Center at Montague Catholic Social Ministries, 41 Third Street, PO Box 792, Turners Falls, MA 01376. 413.863.4804 ext. 1003, christine@mcsmcommunity.org, www.mcsmcommunity.org
