Formed in 2017, the Women’s Giving Circle studies local issues and award grants to nonprofit organizations tackling issues affecting women and girls in Greater Waterbury and the Litchfield Hills.

Beneficiary of the grant at NVCC is the Women’s LEAP (Lead, Empower, Achieve, Persist) Program which is designed to support the needs of at risk women who, despite overwhelming challenges, have demonstrated resilience and tenacity in furthering their education. The program enhances their college experience with relevant workshops and mentorships that help to improve retention to graduation, and prepares these women for meaningful careers.  Resilient, tenacious candidates, who have completed a minimum of 12 credits, with a GPA of 3.0 or higher are recommended by NVCC Faculty to NVCC President, Daisy Cocco DeFilippis, Ph.D. Upon a committee review of candidate submissions, those selected are honored at the President’s Annual High Tea in the spring of each year. Twelve of the honorees, who are returning to NVCC the following semester, will then be invited to participate in the Women’s LEAP program, administered by the NVCC Women’s Center with budgeting and reporting managed by the NVCC Development Office. LEAP offers a series of monthly workshops designed to establish an awareness of the Women’s Center services and address leadership and job search skills, college navigation, financial literacy, time management, social media, gender barriers and women’s health issues.

Program workshops conclude with a survey to determine the benefits derived from the information and activities.  Student transcripts, registration and graduation rates are tracked and GPAs monitored to ensure they remain at or above 3.0 for the duration of the program.  Each participant is assigned a liaison to help navigate college services and receives a $100 stipend for each of the eight months that the college is in session, based on attendance at workshops and a minimum of two hours a week participating in the Program and Women’s Center Events.  Workshops are provided by NVCC faculty and staff as well a community organizations and businesses. At the conclusion of the program, President De Filippis will hold an Awards Dinner where the participants receive certificates of completion and a jacket to wear to professional interviews. President De Filippis expressed her enthusiasm for this program and the difference it makes for the women selected. “Our students possess significant strength of spirit and perseverance, despite so many very real challenges. The LEAP Program will allow us to provide important support as they continue their journey to successful completion of their academic pursuits and a successful life. We are indebted to the Women’s Giving Circle at the Connecticut Community Foundation for their generous support of our students. We would love to have the Circle’s members join us at the College for mentoring activities.”