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1988 Community Women Against Hardship [CWAH] was co-founded by Gloria L. Taylor and the late Betty J. Lee. At the time both women were employed by the Chancellor of the University of Missouri-St. Louis, Dr. Marguerite Ross Barnett; Taylor reading a report about the poverty line in the City of St. Louis joined with Lee (respected journalist) to establish a Family Support Center for those families struggling with poverty issues.
They purchased a building for $1 from the City of St. Louis and completed renovated it with more than $800,000 via monetary contributions and in-kind donations.
The Beginning: The Vision
Since1988, CWAH has provided services to over 5,000 woman and children. It is well to note that one of our instructors at the center is a former client of CWAH. She created the Adventurous Reading Program at CWAH and we are elated that she is currently working to complete her Doctorate in Education and is one the CWAH Board.
The CWAH Family Support Center houses a library, a computer lab, a music laboratory, a clothing boutique, a food pantry, and a warehouse of donated furniture, appliances and various household items. All educational and developmental classes and workshops are held at the center. CWAH continues to be encouraged by the impact of its educational and developmental programs for both youth and their parents.
Volunteers: Creating the Vision
Skilled volunteers donated over 30,000 hours assist with the renovation. The Family Support Center has allowed us to increase the number of families we serve annually from 30 to 100.
CWAH Family Support Center
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