C2 Your Health Women's Initiative Inc. (501c3) Annual Report 2024

Transcript

1. • Entrepreneurship • Mentorship • Health • Wellness 1
2. C2 Your Health Women's Initiative Inc. www.C2YHWI.org 2 TABLE OF CONTENTS
3. 3 C2 Your Health Women's Initiative Inc. www.C2YHWI.org
4. A WORD FROM OUR FOUNDER & PRESIDENT C2 Your Health Women's Initiative Inc. www.C2YHWI.org With gratitude and hope, Cindy Cohen Founder & President 4
5. Women from low-income neighborhoods, domestic violence environments and financial abuse, often face barriers to starting and sustaining a business. These include a lack of access to: 1. role models 2. mentoring 3. leadership development 4. success strategies 5. support networks Without these resources, their potential to build financial independence, escape cycles of poverty or abuse, and contribute to their communities is significantly limited. SOLVING THE PROBLEM: ONE WOMAN, ONE BUSINESS AT A TIME REAL GROWTH, REAL CONFIDENCE, REAL IMPACT. C2 Your Health Women's Initiative Inc. www.C2YHWI.org 5
6. JOIN OUR MISSION We foster women’s entrepreneurship through mentoring in a culture of health, wellness, and economic success—collaborating with the community to support high school girls, college women, and those in at-risk, domestic violence, or financially abusive environments. We foster leadership potential, inspire women aspiring and seasoned entrepreneurs to dream big and focus next step thinking to success. We envision healthier, happier, and productive communities by providing support and resources for women and young girls. We strive to be a leading organization in our community, providing a launchpad for women entrepreneur start-ups and to realize their potential as entrepreneurs. C2 Your Health Women's Initiative Inc. www.C2YHWI.org 6
7. ★ What Makes Us Unique (p.8) ★ Our Strategy (p.9) ★ Our Focus (p.10) ★ Our History (p.11) ★ Our Board of Directors (p.12) City of South Bend Common Council - Women’s Entrepreneurship Day Proclamation 7
8. . C2 Your Health Women's Initiative Inc. www.C2YHWI.org WHAT MAKES US UNIQUE 1. Empower Women in Crisis ★ Support women from low-income families. ★ Provide entrepreneurship as a path to independence for survivors of domestic violence. ★ Partner with local domestic violence agencies for education and support. 2. Pair Business with Wellness ★ Integrate mental health, wellness, and nutrition into mentoring. ★ Provide ongoing education and business mentoring. 3. Leverage Strong Networks ★ Collaborate with existing women entrepreneur programs. ★ Align our regional conference with a global entrepreneurship network. 8
9. OUR STRATEGY EMPOWER ENTREPRENEURS THROUGH MENTORSHIP & COMMUNITY Mentoring for Lifelong Success We introduce entrepreneurship as a rewarding path at any life stage and support seasoned entrepreneurs through one-to-one, peer, and group mentoring—using the GOAL behavior model for lasting impact. Bridging the Gap for Women Entrepreneurs We connect struggling entrepreneurs to community leaders, business resources, and innovation opportunities—fostering shared growth and economic success. This happens through programing:: • Women Entrepreneur Summit (Nov) • One Million Cups (weekly) • Summit Advisory Meetings (monthly) • Biweekly Meetups • Women Entrepreneur Excellence Certification C2 Your Health Women's Initiative Inc. www.C2YHWI.org We believe in fostering success through strong connections. Our program is designed to empower entrepreneurs by linking them with role models, experienced mentors, and valuable resources. We focus on building confidence and developing leadership skills to support their journey. City of Mishawaka Women’s Entrepreneurship Day Proclamation 9
10. WE FOCUS ON THESE 3 CORE AREAS Encourage women to consider entrepreneurship as an early career option, improving economic positioning through her lifetime. Support struggling women entrepreneurs through mentoring, connections to resources, and inspiration. Engage Saint Joseph and surrounding counties in community health through entrepreneurship. C2 Your Health Women's Initiative Inc. www.C2YHWI.org 1 2 3 *35.5% Indiana, 11.8% St. Joe County & 8% Elkhart County 10
11. OUR HISTORY C2 Your Health Women's Initiative Inc. www.C2YHWI.org 11
12. C2 Your Health Women's Initiative Inc. www.C2YHWI.org Thank you to all the women entrepreneurs of Michiana who worked volunteering feverishly in support of C2YHWI mission. Thank you for all the community support & our city governments. Mayor Pete Buttigieg Mayor Dave Wood Mayor James Mueller Mayor Rob Roberson 12
13. ★ Mentoring Impact (p.14) ★ All Mentoring Classes (p.15) ★ Program Expansion (p.16) ★ Women Move Forward Initiative (p.17) ★ Women’s Entrepreneur Summit (p.19) ★ Community Impact (p.20) 13
14. MENTORING IMPACT C2 Your Health Women's Initiative Inc. www.C2YHWI.org Women entrepreneurs from the Class of 2024 reported that they have what they need to move their business forward. MENTORING. EDUCATION. ADVOCACY. BUSINESS CERTIFICATION. 85% Despite impressive gains, women still face gender bias, lack of respect and support system, limited funding, a lack of connections and resources—barriers that hold back their full potential. C2 Your Health Women’s Initiative tackles these challenges head-on with entrepreneurial mentoring, business support, community collaboration, community building and integrated wellness programs. The results —more confidence, higher revenues, stronger networks—show that when women have the right tools, they don’t just move forward, they thrive. 14
15. PARTICIPANTS OF THE WOMEN ENTREPRENEUR EXCELLENCE MENTORING, COURSE & CERTIFICATION PROGRAM 15
16. WOMEN ENTREPRENEUR EXCELLENCE PROGRAM EXPANSION LevelUP 3: Women Entrepreneur Excellence Program: Mentoring, Course & Certification enrolling the 5th Cohort, January 2024 - November 2024. Provides individual, peer-to-peer, and group mentoring through Mentoring Circles. Added monthly “Study Hall” enrichment activity, Peer-to-Peer mentoring. C2 Your Health Women's Initiative Inc. www.C2YHWI.org 16 International Mentoring Accreditation application (underway) Level Up Women Entrepreneur Residency (program development underway) Level Up 2: Online Course Only (soft launch) Women Entrepreneurship Day project / city & state, global recognition Mental Health Support - Moodfit program reinstated
17. WOMEN MOVE FORWARD INITIATIVE OFFICIALLY LAUNCHED 2021 - STILL GOING STRONG! Key Accomplishments: ★ COVID-19: Women Move Forward Women Livelihoods Survey Report, funded by The Pokagon Fund 2019 - 2020 studying the impact of Covid-19 on women entrepreneurship & mental health. 117 surveyed ★ Developed the Women Move Forward Mentoring Community online, created a structured curriculum then transitioned mentoring course to an online platform & added mental health support ★ Began restructuring program to meet International Mentoring Association accreditation standards ★ Launched the HOT DV Ambassador Program add mental health & expand domestic violence support ★ With gratitude to our partners: The Pokagon Fund & H.O.T. Hear Our Tears — for making this transformational work possible. C2 Your Health Women's Initiative Inc. www.C2YHWI.org 17
18. 7th ANNUAL WOMEN’S ENTREPRENEUR SUMMIT 2024 ROUND TABLES FOR SUCCESS Recognizing and celebrating International Women’s Entrepreneurship Day, November 19th The Women’s Entrepreneur Summit (WES) is co-coordinated with Stacey Black founder of Women Rise LLC. The WES is a safe place for aspiring, struggling and seasoned women entrepreneurs to get inspiration, education and empowering advice, by bringing together business leaders, entrepreneurs and investors to empower women in entrepreneurship, leadership development and relationship building. Average Attendance: 100 Focus: Mentoring, business strategies, resource connections, confidence building, inspiration and domestic violence awareness programing. C2 Your Health Women’s Initiative Inc. has an Ambassador agreement with Women Entrepreneurship Day Organization. C2 Your Health Women's Initiative Inc. www.C2YHWI.org Cindy Cohen RN, BS BA Stacey Black - Event Day Organizer 18
19. COMMUNITY IMPACT Women are starting businesses at twice the rate of men and continue to be powerful drivers of job creation, financial security, and economic growth. Yet many still face persistent barriers to success. C2 Your Health Women’s Initiative Inc. addresses these barriers head-on through entrepreneurial mentoring, community collaboration, and integrated wellness programs. C2 Your Health Women's Initiative Inc. www.C2YHWI.org C2 Your Health Women's Initiative Inc. www.C2YHWI.org 19
20. ★ What We Have Accomplished in 2024 (p.21) ★ 2024 Needs Assessment Survey (p.22) ★ Milestones Roadmap For 2024 (p.23) ★ Recognition & Awards (p.24) C2 Your Health Women's Initiative Inc. www.C2YHWI.org 20
21. WHAT WE HAVE ACCOMPLISHED IN 2024 ★ Pajama Party Interviews Podcast still going strong ★ Women Entrepreneur Monthly Social Meetups & ★ Monthly Women Business Workshops still going strong ★ 1 Million Cups Mishawaka launched April ★ MOU: City of Mishawaka: Mishawaka Business Institute approved for 2024 ★ 7th Women Entrepreneur Summit ★ Women’s Entrepreneurship Day recognition ★ at the state (Gov.) and local level (Common Council) ie. Goshen, Elkhart, Michigan City, Mishawaka, South Bend, & State of Indiana ★ Small Business Needs Assessment Survey Completed ★ Summit Steering Committee established ★ Summit Community Advisory Board year 2024 ★ Women Entrepreneur Excellence Program 15 women graduated with certified businesses C2 Your Health Women's Initiative Inc. www.C2YHWI.org 21
22. 2024 COMMUNITY ASSESSMENT: SMALL BUSINESS NEEDS ASSESSMENT: ST. JOE COUNTY 74% Networking 63% Marketing 54% Funding Prep 43% Business Coaching 39% Mentoring 33% Business Plan Development 22% Legal Business Creation 88% said yes, to receiving information about the business institute.(MBI) 96% said yes, to be added to business strategy newsletter Survey Launched: July 8th, 2022, Completed: June 14th, 2023, Total surveys collected: 101 . 70% of business in Mishawaka, 30% South Bend, Elkhart County combined. 51% of the business surveyed were 51% woman owned. Ethnicity Self Identified 50% White 44% Black 5%Hispanic 1% Asian. THE FOLLOWING ARE THE NEEDS IDENTIFIED IN THE SURVEY. As a result of this survey, additional programs have been implemented, including new partnerships with Northwest Bank, PNC Bank, 1 Million Cups Mishawaka, and MBA workshops. 22 C2 Your Health Women's Initiative Inc. www.C2YHWI.org
23. 1 MILLION CUPS MISHAWAKA 1millioncups.com/mishawaka 23 1 Million Cups Mishawaka connects entrepreneurs, fosters innovation, and strengthens the local business ecosystem. The program is governed by Inspire Mishawaka and delivered through the Mishawaka Business Institute in partnership with the City of Mishawaka (MOU). Launched April 2024 549 Attendees and Counting C2 Your Health Women's Initiative Inc. www.C2YHWI.org
24. 2024 MILESTONE ROADMAP C2 Your Health Women's Initiative Inc. www.C2YHWI.org 24
25. RECOGNITION & AWARDS Previous years' awards are available on the website 2025 Nominations: Northwest Indiana Influential Women Award—Nonprofit Sector & Global Recognition Award - Championing Women in Business 25
26. ★ Plans for 2025 (p.27) ★ Join Our Mission (p.28) ★ Connect With Us (p.29) 26 C2 Your Health Women's Initiative Inc. www.C2YHWI.org
27. 2025 PLANS MOVING FORWARD ★ EDUCATE women that entrepreneurship is a viable option to exiting domestic violence environments through the H.O.T. Domestic Violence Ambassador program and WMF Entrepreneur Mentoring Community. ★ CREATE new avenues to connect and reach out to the women entrepreneurs in our community ★ DEVELOP long-term corporate partnerships for more sustainable programming. ★ EXPAND entrepreneurship programming to connect women to mentoring, role models, business resources, leadership skill development, and confidence building. ★ BUILD local partnerships and collaborations with groups and organizations that share a similar mission to help increase our impact and reach. ★ ASK others to join and share our mission. C2 Your Health Women's Initiative Inc. www.C2YHWI.org 27
28. JOIN OUR MISSION WE NEED YOUR HELP ★ Join our Ambassadors / Spread the word ★ Connect us to resources & funding ★ Be our strategic partner ★ Support our women entrepreneur mentors GET INVOLVED Join + Volunteer + Mentor + Donate + Sponsor + Partner C2 Your Health Women's Initiative Inc. www.C2YHWI.org 28
29. CONNECT WITH US Cindy Cohen RN, BS BA Founder, President C2 Your Health Women’s Initiative Inc. (501(c)3) Phone: 574-213-2482 c. 800-245-8917 vm. Email: CindyCohenRN@yahoo.com Website: C2YHWI.org Mentoring Community & Programs platform: womenmoveforward.info Mailing List: entrepreneurwomen.online Facebook: FB.com/C2YourHealthWomensInitative Intagram: instagram.com/cindycohenRN LinkedIN: linkedin.com/in/cindycohenRN C2 Your Health Women's Initiative Inc. www.C2YHWI.org 29