Our Mission

The Bucks County Women’s Advocacy Coalition is a non-partisan coalition of Bucks

County individuals and the non-profit organizations that serve

women and girls. We empower, educate and advocate together to promote gender equality and economic self-sufficiency for

all.

Our Members

30 non-profit organizations serving Bucks County

women and girls

11 Bucks County individuals

Our Partnership

We have joined in partnership

to create healthy communities

and to effect systemic change that benefits women

and girls.

Our Partnership

We believe in the principle of

shared responsibilities; individuals and society (non-

profits, for-profits, government) each have

responsibilities in fostering economic self-sufficiency and

in creating healthy communities.

Desired Outcomes

Desired outcomes of the Coalition’s work will

mean more issues will be viewed publicly through a

“gender lens”…

Desired Outcomes

More people will know about the need for better policies and programming to achieve women’s and girls’ economic

security, access to services, safety,

and leadership opportunities.

1.

Desired Outcomes

Policy makers and opinion leaders will be more engaged

in issues regarding women’s and girls’ economic

security, access to services, safety,

and leadership opportunities.

2.

Desired Outcomes

Systems (rules, laws, institutional processes)

will change and be more responsive to the needs

of women and girls.

3.

Desired Outcomes

Coalitions and decision-making bodies will be more

diverse and inclusive of all women’s and girls’ voices and

issues.

4.

Desired Outcomes

Advocacy on behalf of women and girls will be stronger,

more coordinated, and strategic when allied groups

work together. We will be more able to attain and sustain the necessary

resources and changes needed in Bucks County.

5.

Our Focus

Economic self-sufficiency for all and

the interrelated issues that impact ESS:

Child Care • Education • Health Care

Housing • Jobs • Transportation

Domestic violence and addiction issues affect all areas of concern.

Why Women?

Women are the glue of our families and communities.

Women are a window to the realities of life.

Women are increasingly the heads of households.

Women predominate in coming to our Bucks County agencies, seeking help for

themselves and their families.

Why Women?

Women are one half the work force (Shriver Report) and need supportive

systems and gender equity.

The Census shows that, in Bucks County, the percentage of female-headed households

with children under 5 years old are 46.4 %

below the federal poverty level; with children

under 18, they are 22.7% below the poverty level.

Economic Self-Sufficiency

Bucks County Opportunity Council 2009 Graduates:

16 ESS graduate families 16 Adults (14 Female; 88% Female Head of

Household)24 Children (15 Girls, or 62%)

Average Beginning Income: $10,585 (8 on Welfare)Average Ending Income: $40,236

Average Time on Program: 45 MonthsFemale Head of Household Graduate Families

Over Past 3 Years: 30 of 32 (94%)

Reality: Cliff Effect

As individuals and families start to rise out of poverty, subsidies are reduced

dramatically. A small increase in wages can cause the loss of substantial

subsidies or the complete termination of a benefit,

pushing a family off an economic cliff as the support

system falls away. Bottom Line: Families end up

worse off than they were before.

Principles Statement

On behalf of Bucks County women and their families, the Bucks County Women’s Advocacy Coalition advocates

for empowering women with education, training, resources and support so they may progress steadily

toward achieving economic self-sufficiency. The Coalition supports a public and private economic and social

system in Bucks County based on shared responsibilities and guided by the following principles:

Our ESS Principles

To provide an adequate supply of employment opportunities which pay family-sustaining wages;

To provide access to high quality, affordable childcare, eldercare and caregiver support;

To provide health insurance coverage for all family members;

To provide educational opportunities to achieve financial literacy;

To provide comprehensive integrated services that are accessible and available to all who need them;

Our ESS Principles (cont’d)

To provide workplace training and development needed for basic employment, ongoing marketability and advancement;

To provide safe, secure housing for all income levels and needs; To provide access to reliable transportation;

To provide freedom from predatory and exploitive practices and persons;

To provide assistance that allows women and their families to be as independent as possible and to

reach their full capacity in the economy.

Members Working Together

The effort to achieve these principles will be guided by gender-specific data collection and

analysis, and accountability of all agencies and organizations. Benchmarks will be set and

reviewed periodically to reflect the inherent dynamics of the economy.

Shared Responsibility

Who is responsible for a Roadmap to Economic Self-Sufficiency? We

believe it is a shared responsibility among

individuals and all sectors of society.

Non-profits, for-profits and government

all have a role and share in the responsibility

to help build healthy communities.

Systemic Change

It is no longer sufficient to treat the symptoms of problems. Our

shared responsibilities are to address the root causes of poverty,

truly creating a Roadmap to Economic

Self-Sufficiency for the women and girls,

families and communities of Bucks County.

What’s Next?

Long-term commitment by coalition members and their

Boards of Directors.Establishing a five-year

strategic plan for the principles that all members

support and on which advocacy is based.

What’s Next?

Develop by-laws to solidify our coalition’s structure.

Expand our membership and supporters.

Leadership Steering Committee

Nancy Morrill, Chair

Donna Byrne, Secretary

David Ford

Maggie Groff

Susan Hauser

Tam St. Claire