On Thursday March 17 Donyea Hoffman introduced the first Lavender and Lace Candidates to their new ECD "family" and the community. The goal of Lavender and Lace is to improve the ability of women in Newark’s South Ward to lead fulfilling lives and raise healthy, productive children. The program will enroll 25 women for 8-week sessions on a revolving basis with 6 sessions offered annually.
An individualized plan will be designed for each program participant to maximize her potential for success. Program components will include academic and financial education classes, a comprehensive course on healthy living and a variety of social educational offerings including one-on-one counseling with a mental health professional, peer counseling and parenting classes. An important and unique component will be “pampering” opportunities aimed at helping women begin to give themselves critically needed self-care.
“The need for the program is abundantly evident by the large number of women who have stepped forward to seek enrollment in the inaugural session,” remarked Program Director, Donyea Hoffman. “We are so very thankful to the organizations that enthusiastically stepped forward to partner with ECD in making this program possible, as without their generous financial support and pledge of in-kind service, Lavender and Lace would not be possible.”
Program partners include the City of Newark One Stop, Essex County College, PNC Bank, TD Bank, Dress for Success, Newark Now, United Way of Essex West Hudson, Theresa Henry Financial, The Magic Wand Beauty Salon, The Gertrude Butts Scholarship Fund and Wells Fargo Regional Foundation.