Ninety-four women and men celebrated their successful completion of WEV’s English or Spanish language Self-Employment Training and Business Plan Intensive programs with families, friends and the community during a ceremony at Fess Parker’s Doubletree Resort in Santa Barbara. During the ceremony, Citi Foundation presented a check for $21,000, representing a part of their $35,000 in recent support for WEV programs.

“Women’s Economic Ventures is committed to helping entrepreneurs achieve their dreams no matter what the state of the economy,” said Angel Cottrell, Client Services Director, Women’s Economic Ventures. “We are extremely proud of our program graduates who have worked hard for this moment, and look forward to providing them with the tools and support they need to continue to move their businesses forward.”

Graduates ranged from first-time business owners to those who turned to WEV to help them grow their existing businesses. There were 37 graduates from throughout Ventura County, 37 from Santa Barbara, and 20 from Santa Maria and the North Santa Barbara County area.

Citi Foundation’s contribution will support WEV’s recently launched Thrive-in-Five™ program, which is dedicated to helping small businesses start, grow and thrive through long-term, individualized training, consulting and coaching, as well as WEV’s Self-Employment Training program.

“Women’s Economic Ventures is a valuable resource to our community and local economy,” said Rashi Kallur, Citi Community Development Officer.  “WEV’s programs provide equal access to training and capital, helping small business, one of the most important contributors to our community’s economy, succeed.”

The Citi Foundation is committed to the economic empowerment of individuals and families, particularly those in need, in the communities where the organization operates so that they can improve their standard of living.  The Citi Foundation provides grant support for programs that are aligned with their priority focus areas, promote collaboration and effective use of philanthropic resources, engage employees, and demonstrate impact and positive outcomes.

WEV has helped to create or expand over 2,000 businesses since inception, creating or retaining over 3,000 local jobs.

WEV’s Self-Employment Training, Business Plan Intensive and Thrive-in-Five courses are part of WEV’s continuum of programs that help entrepreneurs start-up, launch, grow, and sustain a business, including business consulting, entrepreneurial coaching, advanced business training, and small business start-up and expansion loans.

About Women’s Economic Ventures (WEV)

WEV is dedicated to creating an equitable and just society through the economic empowerment of women.  Since 1991, WEV has been providing self-employment training, technical assistance and microloans to primarily low-income women. Today, WEV offers a continuum of programs to help women succeed at every stage of the business lifecycle. Services include comprehensive self-employment training program, advanced training, business consulting, coaching, and networking opportunities to help individuals to startup, launch, grow, and sustain a business. WEV’s service area includes north and south Santa Barbara County and Ventura County with offices in Santa Barbara and Ventura. WEV’s Small Business Loan Fund (SBLF) provides start-up and expansion loans to pre-bankable microenterprises.  WEV was designated a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) in 1999 by the U.S. Department of the Treasury.  In 2005, the Small Business Administration recognized WEV as the most productive Women’s Business Center in the nation. The WEV website is at www.wevonline.org.

June/July 2010 Self-Employment Training orientation dates:

Call or visit www.wevonline.org for details, locations and to make a reservation.

Santa Barbara – (805) 965-6073 x100 or www.wevonline.org

Tuesday, June 22, 12-1pm – English

Thursday, July 15, 12-1pm – English

Tuesday, July 27, 12-1pm – English

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Santa Maria – (805) 965-6073 x100 or www.wevonline.org

Please call for schedule (English and Spanish)

Ventura County – (805) 667-8004 or www.wevonline.org

Wednesday, June 16, 6-7 pm – English

Monday, June 28, 12-1pm – English