News | Women's Empowerment International

Volunteer Spotlight: Jan and Julie

Nov 13, 2025 | Featured News/ Events, News, Volunteer and Board Spotlight, Volunteer Spotlight

Volunteer Spotlight

This year the Board selected Jan Hamilton and Julie Hocking as our Volunteers of the Year for the North County Philanthropy Council Volunteer Awards program. Each NCPC member is able to select a volunteer (or two) each year as their Volunteer of the Year, who is recognized at a special annual celebration.

Jan Hamilton is a long-time volunteer with WE, serving as Asst. Secretary, performing key duties that keep our organization running and donor database in order. She knows many (if not nearly all!) of our donors and plays a vital role in strengthening those relationships. She is a warm, friendly face at our events with her passion for the mission shining through.

“As I was ending my administrative career in 2011, I was looking for something to “retire to.” An on-line search of women-centered San Diego organizations turned up WE. At my first volunteer welcome meeting I was inspired by WE’s leaders and their dedication to improving women’s lives through microfinance and to educating others about the significant need. They diligently vet organizations providing services and loans to deserving women, tirelessly monitor the administration and impact of their gifts, including by in-person visits to their partners around the world.

In 2012 WE gave me the opportunity to visit their microfinance partner in Ciudad Obregon, Mexico. I met dozens of brave women who, with their loans from GDLF, were working hard to establish businesses and improve the lives of their children and families. The loan officers were enthusiastic and dedicated to the community. It was inspiring to see how a small initial loan grows and grows as it is paid and repaid again to numerous women.

I am grateful to be a small part of the administrative team of WE. In return for donating my time and treasure, I receive multifold inspiration and optimism, friendship and support from these smart, warm-hearted women and men, who truly believe that improving the lives of women will change the world.”

Julie Hocking is long-time volunteer with WE, serving as Asst. Treasurer (and Interim Treasurer through multiple transitions), working with diligence to keep our books in order and organization running. She brings her compassion, expertise, and dedication to all she does, approaching her service with a spirit of partnership and heart-felt focus on the mission.

“My journey with Women’s Empowerment International (WE) began in 2011 when a colleague invited me to an International Women’s Day celebration at UCSD. I had long been passionate about the life-changing potential of microloans for women, and I was immediately drawn to WE’s mission. At the event, I signed up for volunteer opportunities and began my role as Assistant Treasurer, a position I’ve held ever since.

Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of participating in several site visits to WE partner organizations, which deepened my connection to the work. One such visit took me to Grameen de la Frontera in central western Mexico, where I witnessed firsthand the impact of WE’s loans on women’s lives. I had the honor of meeting women who, through the support of WE, were able to start and expand small businesses. One story that stood out was that of two sisters who ran a bread-baking business and later grew flowers to meet the demand for Dia de los Muertos celebrations. Their vibrant garden, buzzing with butterflies and bees, was a symbol of growth and resilience.

Most recently, I visited a partner program in Tijuana that supports refugee women with safe housing and small business development. Connecting with these women and hearing their stories reaffirmed my belief in the power of WE’s mission to uplift women from poverty and empower them to change their futures.

Volunteering with WE has enriched my life in countless ways. The opportunity to contribute both my time and financial support has been incredibly rewarding, knowing that my efforts are helping create lasting change for women. It is an honor to be part of an organization that uplifts and empowers women, and I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to make a difference.”

Grecia | El Salvador

Nov 12, 2025 | El Salvador, News, Women Stories

Meet Grecia from El Salvador

Grecia Mancias is a 36 years old women, who live at Colonia Rodríguez, at Usulután. Her family is constituted by her husband and 2 children who are 9 and 15 years old, respectively. All family members and Grecia are blind, but they all together deal with daily challenges with courage. Grecia began a small business providing massage services, 14 years ago. She use to provide the service at customers home, which just let her to serve a maximum of 4 customers a day, besides the risks of moving from one place to another and require someone else to take care of their children. She looked for financial support at different financial entities, which did not consider Grecia as a customer. OEF community facilitator was able to know Grecia and offer her an inclusive loan, which was approved for USD$350.00. Grecia invested the money on developing a space inside her house to receive customers, buy a cooler and a vibrating device to improve provision of massages.

Since she was able to open the space at her house, she is able to take care of her children at the same time that she works. Also, she promote her small business on social media and currently she is able to serve between 6 and 8 patients every day, which has improve her income to support her family. Grecia’s husband also provides for family support since he is also a entrepreneur who practices street vending of different product.

“Together we can make dreams come true and build a fair and inclusive society!!” Grecia comments.

Open LOI for Grant Cycles: 2025 & 2026

Jun 25, 2025 | Featured News/ Events, News

We are pleased to announce this new grant opportunity. Could your organization be a good fit? Do you know of an organization that could align with our funding criteria and might be interested in applying?

A little about us at WE:
Women’s Empowerment International (WE) is a nonprofit organization (based in San Diego, CA, United States) with a mission to empower women with tools to work their way out of poverty, care for their families, and strengthen their communities. We do this through grantmaking for economic empowerment programs for women experiencing poverty—locally (in San Diego County and our border region) and internationally. We envision a world without poverty in which women are empowered, uplifted, and equal partners in society. Since 2004, we have raised money for and distributed over $2.8M in grant funding for 15 partner organizations in nine countries. Current grant partners operate programs including microloans, women’s entrepreneurship and small business development support, training, education, and other income-generating and barrier-breaking initiatives.

We have implemented some exciting additions to our grantmaking, and we currently have an open Letter of Inquiry (LOI) for three types of grant funding: https://form.jotform.com/251608843588065. Submitting an LOI is the first part of the application process. If our Grants Committee sees a good fit, an organization will be invited to complete our full grant application.

Please read through our general Funding & Selection Criteria to assess overall eligibility and alignment: https://womenempowerment.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/WE-Funding-Selection-Criteria.pdf. An applying organization should be a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit (or fiscally sponsored by one) if registered in the U.S., or under a related certification if registered in another country. Funded programs and services should align with WE mission, vision, and guiding principles, as well as criteria on the document linked above. WE funds must be used to support the economic empowerment of women and girls only (inclusive of all those identifying as such), specifically those who are living at or below the local poverty line. Grants are not awarded for fundraising events or campaigns, endowments, or for any religious or political activities.

Prospective new grant partners are eligible to apply for three of WE’s four grant types:
I. Seed/Innovation Grants
II. Scale-up Grants
III. One-time/Micro Grants

Please read through details on each of these grant types, including funding request ranges, examples for funding, and key evaluation criteria for each: https://womenempowerment.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/WE-Grant-Types_-New-Partners.pdf

Deadlines/Timeline:

The LOI is open until July 24; however, submissions will be evaluated on a rolling basis. The sooner you are able to submit your LOI, the sooner we can provide feedback and a potential invitation to the complete grant application. We encourage you to complete the LOI as soon as possible.
Grant applications will build on the LOI and will be due by August 8.
August 25 – September 5 – we expect to hold video meetings with 3-5 selected applicants for follow-up conversations to better understand your proposed grant program, organization, and operations.
Grant awards will be announced by September 28.
Funding will be distributed at the end of 2025 or early 2026 depending on grant size.

Please feel free to reach out with any questions or referrals for our open LOI to Sarah Adams, WE Executive Director, at SarahAdams@womenempowerment.org.

Rosa | Honduras

Apr 30, 2025 | Honduras, News, Women Stories

Meet Rosa from Honduras
A Story of Determination and Growth

In the heart of Tela, Atlántida, Honduras, Rosa has built a thriving business making handmade corn and flour tortillas. Recently, several Women’s Empowerment board members and their families joined Adelante staff on an impact tour and had the opportunity to meet Rosa, a new Adelante client who had just received her first microloan, with the support of a WE grant. With warmth and enthusiasm, she welcomed the group into her home—which also serves as her place of business—to show the improvements she has already made.

Rosa’s day begins early in the morning to ensure her customers have fresh tortillas for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Her dedication keeps her working until 8:00 PM, with only a few short breaks throughout the long day. Her commitment to quality has earned her a loyal customer base, with most of her tortillas now sold through standing orders, leaving only a few available for passersby.

As a single mother, Rosa proudly supports not only herself but also her two daughters and her elderly parents through her tortilla business. Before receiving her loan, she struggled with excessive heat and direct sunlight while working in front of her home, which affected both her comfort and productivity. With her first loan of $200 from Adelante, she made a strategic improvement by extending her roof to create better protection from the elements. She also purchased additional ingredients to increase her production capacity and meet growing demand.

In Honduras, qualifying for a traditional loan without excessive interest rates is challenging for women—especially a single mother with limited means—regardless of her business skills or work ethic. Rosa expressed sincere gratitude for providing her the opportunity to grow her business, improve her workspace, maintain her home, increase her income, and enhance her family’s quality of life. With a determined smile, she shared, “This won’t be my last loan. Thank you!”

Adelante has been a WE partner since 2007, with our grant funds supporting this vital microfinance program for women in Honduras, aiming to alleviate poverty especially in rural communities.

Through Rosa’s story, we see how targeted microfinance can transform not just individual businesses but entire family trajectories, creating sustainable paths out of poverty through entrepreneurship and hard work.

Evelyn and Michelle | San Diego

Apr 30, 2025 | California, News, Women Stories

Meet Evelyn and Michelle

Recently, with the support of a WE grant, Urban Corps of San Diego County had the privilege of assisting two dedicated Corpsmembers, Evelyn and Michelle, in purchasing their own vehicles, a transformative step for each of them as they overcame significant barriers to success. Despite coming from different backgrounds, these Corpsmembers share common challenges—particularly in accessing reliable transportation—which previously hindered their ability to fully engage in their education and work at Urban Corps.

Evelyn and Michelle had both been facing the daily struggle of waking up at 4:00 a.m. to catch the earliest trolley to arrive at Urban Corps on time. With the down payment assistance provided by the WE grant, they were each able to purchase their own car. Their new vehicles now allow them to commute comfortably, safely, and promptly, ensuring they can contribute fully to their work and education. They have even begun carpooling with other female Corpsmembers, understanding the challenges of early-morning commutes and helping others get to work on time. This act of solidarity not only strengthens the community within Urban Corps but also reflects their commitment to giving back and supporting their peers.

Having safe and reliable transportation has been a critical factor in their continued participation and success at Urban Corps. As Evelyn and Michelle near graduation, they have already expressed plans to further their education and pursue their professional development. With the independence afforded by their vehicles, they are now able to focus on their academic and career aspirations without the burden of unreliable public transportation. They are no longer limited by this barrier to success in San Diego County.

This vehicle assistance program has played a pivotal role in helping women overcome significant obstacles, enabling them to achieve their goals both at Urban Corps and beyond. We are proud to support them in their journey toward independence and success, and we look forward to hearing about their future endeavors and accomplishments!

Mariat | Uganda

Apr 29, 2025 | News, Uganda, Women Stories

From Struggle to Success Through Microfinance

Meet Ahimbisibwe Mariat, a 60-year-old grandmother from the Rukungiri District in Uganda. Mariat’s journey from financial struggle to successful, small business owner demonstrates the profound impact that financial inclusion and training can have on families experiencing poverty.

“Before joining the Kigiro granny group, I struggled to meet the basic needs of my family such as paying for my two grandchildren’s primary school fees, aged 5 and 10. I had no stable sources of income and lacked business skills and knowledge.”

The turning point came when she joined Nyaka’s grandmother support program, which receives funding from a WE grant. Through this initiative, Mariat received comprehensive training in financial literacy and business management. She also received a UGX 500,000 loan (approximately $139 USD) from WE funds. Applying the financial knowledge and skills gained from the Nyaka grandmother team training, Mariat established a small retail shop in Ikuniro Trading Centre in Rukungiri district.

The results have been remarkable. Through diligent application of her savings and bookkeeping knowledge, Mariat’s business has flourished. She now earns a monthly profit of UGX 100,000 (approximately $28 USD) and has increased her savings to UGX 2,000,000 in capital (approximately $545 USD).

“Thanks to Women’s Empowerment funds, my dreams have become a reality, and I can now pay school fees for my two grandchildren and provide for basic needs, while repaying my business loan. I am deeply grateful to Nyaka and Women’s Empowerment for this opportunity.”

About Nyaka:
Nyaka, WE partner since 2014, works with communities to nurture and protect children so they can learn, grow, and thrive. WE supports Nyaka’s Grandmother program, which recognizes the critical role grandmothers play in caregiving, while addressing issues including gender-based violence and poverty through microloans and comprehensive training.

With WE’s support, the number of grandmothers accessing microfinancing, training, and ongoing support increases each year. These remarkable women have significantly improved household incomes and their grandchildren’s wellbeing, maintained children’s school attendance, and developed valuable financial literacy skills.

The program demonstrates exceptional impact: for every $40 invested in a grandmother-led household through this program, there is a 285% return within just 36 months—proof that supporting grandmothers like Mariat creates sustainable, multi-generational change.

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