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Power Tool Socials
Women in Alabama experience the highest rates in the nation as victims of domestic violence; they rank among the nation’s highest rates for stress, diabetes, heart disease, and breast cancer. As women face life-threatening illnesses, divorce, and single parenting, changing family dynamics and societal circumstances force them to take on new challenges At Home. Women are assuming non-traditional roles that help maintain overall stability in the home, such as home repair.
These combined issues became the driving force for AHF’s “Women Under Construction: Power Tool Socials” series, which alone has served over 2,000 women. Our purpose is to bring women of all ages, nationalities and socio-economic backgrounds together to Educate, Motivate, Inspire and Empower them to Repair their homes, Build their families and careers, and most importantly themselves, through a constellation of information, networking, and fun. This life-changing series is remarkably unique and presents an exciting and fresh approach to bringing women together using actual tools and applying corresponding life parallels. The Power Tool Social events also provide a respite, a place to be revived and refreshed, and a place to rebuild the elements of lives destroyed by tornadic winds of life. From its inception in 2014 until April 2018, the number of women served by the Women Under Construction Network Power Tool Social has steadily improved.
WUCNetwork
Programs & Services
Tools for Success
ReBuild U-niversity
College Student Pilot Program
Toolbox Tuesdays, now known as Rebuild U-niversity, was the pilot program for the AHF Tools for Success program, initially offered at Virginia College. This program provided the Tools for Success curriculum to encourage and support students as they navigate challenges associated with college life.
During the 2017 – 2018 school year Tools for Success served between 25 and 35 college women per session over a 10-week period, using a college-level curriculum. This program will expand to other colleges throughout the state.
WILAH PROJECT
(What I Learned At Home)
Through the WILAH Project, single mothers and women from underserved communities learn a myriad of home repair skills that help them maintain their largest financial investment: their home. Additionally, the project provides a means of building self-confidence that helps participants become more productive, self-sufficient citizens.
In the first phase of the program, instructors teach selected women to use household tools (i.e. hammers, saws, power drills, etc.) and provide the opportunity to apply the learned skills in a simulated at home repair setting.
In the second phase, motivational speakers and counselors teach positive life principles and challenge, motivate and inspire the women through tool/life parallels.
Testimonials
"… I loved the "Measuring Yourself" topic. I feel I needed to hear what she had to say, because at the end of the day what matters is what we think about ourselves!"
"Very inspiring. Uplifting. Made me think of my short and long term goals."
"This woman is so encouraging. I can tell she enjoys her job and she's great at it." I feel like she helps our department a lot. Thank you.”
"This session we had today made me realize that I'm not a failure, that I could be someone special in life. Just because I am gay, I don't have to be ashamed of who I am, because my real family disowned me. I love the session because every month it helps me to move on. It really opens me up."
"Very helpful, helps me open up. Shellie was really helpful and had helpful info."
"Very good for coming to terms with internal emotions."
"She makes me think about my actions more. She affects my life in a positive way."
"Great class. Love everything about empowering each other."
"Love how she explains things...such an inspiring influence. Want to see her so much more."
"Very helpful. I wish I currently had the courage to participate, but my life hasn't been in sync lately. Maybe next time."
"Can we have more classes, longer classes?"
"I have opened up so much. I love being able to talk and not worry about it going elsewhere."
"I think it should last longer. We have fun with the topics, but don't have enough time to talk it through."
"I enjoy the encouragement. Please see about more time."
"She is in tune with us and she demonstrates very well…very understanding and helpful."
"She was very enthusiastic and fun. This was a great way to kick-start thinking of new things!”