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Jubilee Women's Center 

Description

Since 1983, Jubilee has helped women - regardless of race, culture, age, economic status, sexual orientation or spiritual belief - make permanent life changes. Jubilee is a hub for over 1,200 women’s personal and professional growth. Jubilee offers free classes, workshops, one-on-one coaching, computer access, short-term and long-term community housing, one-on-one case management, a clothing boutique, community referrals and meals for low-income and homeless women in Seattle. Jubilee serves a diverse group of adult women (average age is 52). 53% have experienced domestic violence. 100% have experienced trauma.
Mission Statement
Jubilee's mission is to support women experiencing poverty to build stable and fulfilling futures, one extraordinary woman at a time.
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Jubilee Women's Center
620 18th Ave E 
Seattle 
WA
98112-3952 
(206) 325-2163 

Cheryl Sesnon 
Executive Director 

Programs

Jubilee Women's Center Programs

Jubilee Women’s Center’s programs help empower women to take control of their futures.

Learning & Opportunity Center
Jubilee’s Learning & Opportunity Center offers free classes, workshops, one-on-one skills coaching and computer access to low-income and homeless women in Seattle. Our classes offer a safe and supportive learning environment with quality training that equips women to build secure and self-reliant futures. Classes include, but are not limited to: Job Readiness; Money Management; Basic, Intermediate & Advanced Computers; Finding & Maintaining Affordable Housing; and Conflict Resolution & Cultural Understanding.

Dedicated care management 
Care managers provide support, coaching and advocacy for women in Jubilee’s housing program. Together, care managers and residents create goals to build a road map to independent living. Care managers connect women with resources in-house and in the community to help them achieve their goals.

Community living
This is vital to our housing program. Living in community presents personal development opportunities for women to practice essential life skills such as healthy communication, conflict resolution and cultural understanding. These real-life learning opportunities are invaluable to each woman’s personal growth and confidence. Residents stay an average of 12 months at Jubilee, forming lifelong friendships with others who share in their struggles and successes.

Recent Successes and Current Challenges

Jubilee is excited to announce the opening of our new Learning & Opportunity Center that will provide free classes, workshops, one-on-one skills coaching and computer access to more low-income and homeless women in the community. Jubilee’s greatest need at this time is to hire a Learning & Opportunity Center Director to oversee our educational program, outreach to partner sites, develop and update curriculum, teach classes and evaluate the effectiveness of the program.

Since our founding in 1983, Jubilee has helped transform the lives of thousands of women. Last year, 82% of residents moved into independent housing and 78% gained employment.

Alumnae express what Jubilee means to them:

I didn't have a sense of purpose when I first came - I knew I had to change my life but wasn't sure how to do it. Under the guidance of my care manager, I came to know the things I needed to work on. I am now in my own apartment and going back to school to be a social worker. I am doing instead of wishing.

What I found here was not just a place to keep a roof over my head, but a place of support, safety and encouragement.

When I left Jubilee I had the tools to get things done. With the classes available I learned how to deal with my emotions better and how to use Word on computers. I learned that I AM AND I CAN. I am forever grateful to have walked through the doors of Jubilee. That is where I started my new life and journey.

Jubilee is where I started my new life and journey.

    Evaluation

    Jubilee Women’s Center provides homeless women a safe environment, supportive services and time to transition from homelessness, domestic violence or emergency shelters to independent living.

    Proven Success
    Jubilee’s personalized wrap-around services address the issues that led a woman to homelessness. They provide her with tools and resources to gain the skills and confidence to overcome obstacles and create a healthy, positive and stable life. They serve about 50 women with housing and supportive services and an additional 900 homeless and low-income women access other services including technology training, life skills and job readiness.  Jubilee opened their Education Center with 25 computer workstations, which will allow them to serve more women in Seattle/King County.

    In 2012, 83% of Jubilee’s residents successfully made the transition to independent living. To help the residents achieve long-term change, care managers offer them support, encouragement and coaching. They work with each woman to create an Individual Success Plan. Once residents leave Jubilee, they are encouraged to return to use the computer lab, clothing boutique, or check in with a care manager.

    Best Practices
    Jubilee offers a compassionate yet firm approach to community living which incorporates accountability and responsibility for living with each other and the larger community. Residents share the responsibility of maintaining the household and pay 30% of their monthly income in rent, with a fifty dollar minimum.

    Jubilee has identified three tracks to help their residents reach economic self-sufficiency: 1) assistance in finding living wage employment; 2) educational or vocational skills upgrade to qualify for living wage employment; and 3) navigating the system if unable to work and relying on government assistance for income.

    Sustainability
    They completed a strategic planning process and adopted a new mission statement that is broader than just providing housing.  They want to serve more women and provide comprehensive services.  They have formalized their assessment process and have more clearly defined their delivery of services.

    Financial Health
    They established a resource committee to develop and implement the Fund Development strategy. They plan to expand individual giving and are working with a pro bono PR Firm to support the process. Board members will work to increase fundraising; explore grant partnerships for public and private funding; explore the possibility of a fee-for-services exchange; and explore the mission fit and possibility of earned revenue activities.  In recent years they have balanced their budget but have not been able to cover their depreciation costs.

    Grant History with The Seattle Foundation:

    Grants Awarded through The Seattle Foundation Grantmaking Program:

    DateAmountPurpose
    3/10/2013 $10,000.00provide general operating support.
    3/10/2011 $10,000.00support general operating expenses.
    3/10/2010 $20,000.00support general operating expenses.
    12/10/2007 $50,000.00support general operating expenses and building renovations.
    9/22/2005 $25,000.00support general operating expenses.
    9/18/2003 $25,000.00support general operating expenses.

    Financials

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