Since our founding in October 0f
1987, the Center has shown that women working together can be an
effective force. We are a voluntary, non-profit organization existing
primarily on dues from our members and on the volunteer efforts of
business, professional and community women. We aim to be a one-stop,
walk-in resource center for women.
Currently, we operate out of
office and classroom space donated by Queens Borough President Helen
Marshall at Queens Borough Hall in Kew Gardens, Queens during our
renovation of a landmarked building at Fort Totten in Bayside,
Queens.
The Center for the Women of New
York, formerly the Queens Women’s Center, is designed to be a research
and conference center and “living” museum, dedicated to recording and
aiding women’s struggles to achieve full equality in our society.
Through a Women’s Studies Committee, we will record the history of the
women’s movement in the areas of economy, legal resources, culture,
education, religion, art forms (arts, crafts, music, dance, theatre),
sports, labor, business and all policies and practices that affect the
lives of women and their families.
The first action of the CWNY was
to spotlight domestic violence and spearhead the effort in the courts to
overcome legal obstacles to providing adequate protection for women who
live in crisis situations. Our efforts in this area continue. We are
part of the Queens Borough President’s Task Force on Sexual
Harassment and Domestic Violence, as well as other groups
working in this vital area to provide services to victims and for
educational programs aimed at prevention of these crimes.
Our regular monthly meetings have
included programs on economic conditions of women, sex bias in
employment, education, women and health, and
legislative issues.
Along with our traditional services, we offer a
weekly Job Readiness Workshop, career counseling, help
line, Legal Assistance Clinic, Money Management Clinic
and Support Groups for crisis situations and life
issues. To help meet needs for job training, we offer
instruction in computers and other training courses. We also offer
growth in quality of life activities such as stress management
and self-esteem workshops and yoga classes. Our new
location will enable us also to resume programs that had to be suspended
during the renovation, such as classes in self defense, ESL
and GED, a certificate program for Family Day-Care Providers,
and a Walking Club.
Our annual “World of Working
Women” October conference and Job Fair is co-sponsored with us by
the Women’s Bureau of the US Dept. of Labor, area colleges, businesses,
governmental agencies and others. Also, we continue to run
educational programs in women’s health. Our annual Health Fair
was held in June 2003, co-sponsored by the Hillside Manor Comprehensive
Care Center.
We work closely with other
organizations that provide social services and educational resources for
women. We have a strong link with the colleges and universities in the
area. They provide us with interns who are afforded the opportunity of
working directly with clients. We have collaborated with the Women’s
Studies Department of Queens College on the “Women and Work” Program,
and on initiatives promoted by other local colleges.
