Our mission is to build the entrepreneurial capacity of women to overcome economic and social barriers and achieve self-sufficiency.
Our vision is that no woman in California will face economic hardship. Every women should have the tools and skills to create financial independence for herself and her family.

Description:
Women's Initiative offers business and personal development training and financial services to lower-income women who want to start their own businesses. We target families and communities what need capital and commerce to improve health and welfare. We focus on women because poverty is most widespread among women-headed households. Women owned businesses grow at twice the rate of all other businesses and once their businesses are established, they give back to their community through volunteering and donations to charity.
Classes run all year and are offered in both English and Spanish and offer affordable loans. Our research shows that 5 years after our training, 70% of our clients have started their own businesses and that 11,000 business have been created by our graduates. Within 4 years of graduating, their average income has doubled.

History:
Since 1988, Women's Initiative has helped lower-income women escape poverty through business ownership. We started in San Francisco and in 1993 opened an office in downtown Oakland. In 2001, Women's Initiative was awarded the Presidential Award for Excellence in Micro enterprise Development,and in 2002, Equal Rights Advocates honored us for our commitment to breaking down barriers that obstruct women's development. In that time 16,000 women have benefited from our programs with an estimated 11,000 businesses started by our graduates. We have grown from one location to six with a goal of further expansion.

Contact people:

Elizabeth Russell, Volunteer Coordinator, (email) Pemala Mejia, Project Manager, (phone), (email)

Main office number: (415) 641-3460
Office fax number: (415) 826-1885

Address:

1398 Valencia Street San Francisco, CA 94110 (See a map)

Web Site: http://www.womensinitiative.org

Directions:

Cross Street is 25th   Nearest Metro/Subway Stop: 24th Street BART,   Walk distance (in minutes): 3   Nearest Bus Stop: 49, 2 minute walk

Miscellaneous Information

Besides English, which languages are spoken at your agency?
	Spanish
What is the minimum age for volunteers at your agency?
	16
Is your agency wheelchair accessible?
	Yes
Does your agency have the capacity to host groups of more than 10?
	Yes
Does your agency have the capacity to host groups of more than 20?
	No