CITIZEN JOURNALISM: A ‘blessing’ to be ‘able to give back’

CITIZEN JOURNALISM:

Deborah Gandy’s passion for community service goes deep into her early childhood. Ms. Gandy would follow her mother, Juanita Groomes, as she volunteered through the Episcopal Church of the Redeemer in Greensboro, N.C.

“My mom was a remarkable woman,” Ms. Gandy said as she recalled some of her fondest memories. “She was the most unselfish, kind individual, and she strongly believed in giving back.”

Ms. Gandy, 54, has carried the fire of civic service through her life as she has continued in her mother’s footsteps, serving others. She is chairwoman of the board of directors of the Washington Area Women’s Foundation.

“I think its important to give back,” she said. “There are so many ways to volunteer, and to be able to give back that which has been given to me is a blessing.”

The Washington Area Women’s Foundation (WAWF) was established to “foster a powerful wave of philanthropy to improve the lives of women and girls,” according to its Web site. The foundation funds other nonprofit agencies that have direct initiatives to help women in the D.C. area.

“The foundation partners with individuals, corporations and government collaboratively as an effort to raise funds necessary to do the work,” Ms. Gandy said.

WAWF says it is the only public foundation dedicated to increasing opportunities and resources for women and girls in the area.

The foundation is partnered with 116 nonprofit groups that help impoverished women and girls.

Ana Lopez is executive director of Community Bridges, one of the many nonprofits that work with WAWF. Community Bridges seeks to empower girls from diverse backgrounds who, according to Ms. Lopez, will become “exceptional students and positive leaders.”

“We provide a safe space for girls where they can be themselves,” Ms. Lopez said, adding that WAWF “provides us with a combination of things, which makes the partnership so unique.”

Programs such as Stepping Stones, Giving Circles, Rainmakers and the Washington 100 are examples of WAWF’s grant recipients.

“People learn to come together and learn about philanthropy,” Ms. Gandy said.

Stepping Stones “promotes economic security and financial independence” for low-income, woman-headed families. According to Ms. Gandy, programs that are set up and funded by the foundation are to develop “economic empowerment and financial independence for women.”

The nonprofits that partner with WAWF go through a four- to five-month application process for grants.

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