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Starting Point: Where Confidence Grows, Cycles Break, and Futures Change

Posted on Nov 19, 2025

At the Women’s Fund, we believe every woman deserves the chance to build a life filled with stability, confidence, and opportunity. Our Starting Point program was created with exactly that mission in mind: to walk alongside women as they discover their strengths, define their goals, and take the steps toward a future they deserve and dream of.

For many participants, Starting Point becomes more than a program. It becomes a turning point.

One Participant’s Journey: From Uncertainty to Unstoppable
Heather* first connected with Starting Point in the fall of 2021. She was a single mother trying to figure out how to create a stable and fulfilling life for herself and her young daughter. She knew she had potential. What she needed was support, and the trust in herself that she was ready to take the next step.

Starting Point helped her find that.

Starting Point and FVTC have completely transformed my life and my daughter’s future. When I first connected with the Starting Point program in Fall of 2021, I was a single mother trying to figure out how to build a future for us. Starting Point gave me a path and the resources I needed to take the next step in my education.

With the guidance of Starting Point staff, Heather* enrolled at Fox Valley Technical College to pursue a degree in Accounting. She graduated in May 2024—an achievement she once wondered if she’d ever reach. And she didn’t stop there.

“I enjoyed learning so much, I decided to add the Banking and Finance major—a field that fits my strengths and gives me the opportunity to create lasting stability for my family. I will graduate from that program in May of 2026.”

Along the way, Heather received support not only from Starting Point but also from caring FVTC staff and partner programs like Forward Services. Their encouragement helped her grow as a student, a mother, and a leader.

With a 3.75 GPA and hands-on experience as a work study student in the Financial Aid Department, Heather’s already building the foundation for her long-term goals: securing a full-time job in the field she loves and one day buying a home for her and her daughter.

I’ve gained confidence, purpose, and a sense of hope that I didn’t have before. Thanks to Starting Point and FVTC, my daughter sees what perseverance can do—and together, we’re breaking cycles and building a brighter future.

Next month we’ll celebrate over 200 women who have completed the Starting Point program. By supporting the dreams of these women we not only change her life, but her family’s lives and our community ensuring that every woman has the opportunity to thrive.

Join Us in Creating More Stories Like This

Every contribution—no matter the size—helps provide the resources, wrap-around support, and opportunities young women need to rewrite their futures.

Together, we can continue building a community where every woman has the chance to thrive.

Real change begins now.
And it starts with you.

*Name changed to protect the client’s identity

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