In 2002, the Department of Labor Women's Bureau (WB) launched the Women with Disabilities Entrepreneurship Project (for more information, read the Nov. EQUITY Feature Article). For Phase II of the project, the following centers serve four regions across the U.S. Each organization has a slightly different approach to serving women with disabilities interested in starting their own business. All four cities- Denver, CO, Atlanta, GA, Kansas City, MO, and Oakland, CA- are still actively recruiting. Interested women in these regions are encouraged to contact the programs and find out if they meet the requirements.

Catalyst Resources, Inc.

Catalyst Resources, Inc is a consulting firm based in Denver, CO. Under a project funded by the U.S. Department of Labor they are working with Small Business Development Centers and MicroBusiness Development Corp, Bold Consulting, U.S. Small Business Administration, Easter Seals-Agribility, Colorado Assistive Technology and the Asian Pacific Development Council. Catalyst is responsible for the oversight and coordination of the Women with Disabilities Entrepreneur Project. Catalyst offers:

• Technical assistance
• Mentoring
• Community development
• Conducts diversity studies for not-for-profit organizations

Catalyst's model for the Women with Disabilities Entrepreneur Project is a unique approach. In conjunction with the MicroBusiness Development Corp, they have formed a micro-lending loan lost reserve fund. The fund, primarily supported by a grant from the Colorado Alliance of Microenterprise Initiatives, the State of Colorado and other foundational grants, provides a safety net in event that the women are forced to default on their loan. In case of default, the loan lost reserve fund covers their payments until they have the ability to re-pay their loans. The loan payments made by the women help contribute to the fund, creating a financial support system within the program.
In addition to the loan fund, the Denver program also provides training courses, progress tracking, and assistance in the construction or review of business plans. They also help participants obtain funding, including securing the initial seed funds through general operating loans.

Interested women in the Denver area, contact:
Catalyst Resources, Inc.
Sara Fuentes
303-523-5754
sfuentess@comcast.net

Cobb Microenterprise Center

Cobb Microenterprise Center (CMC) is a not-for-profit organization that offers an in-depth affordable entrepreneurial training program designed for low- to moderate-income individuals aspiring to start or expand a business. Individuals at all income levels are invited to apply. The program involves the following design components:

• Entrepreneurial training and technical assistance.
• Access to credit, including providing direct loans or enabling access to capital through relationships with banks and other community developmental financial institutions.
• Access to new markets beyond neighborhood borders.

CMC is in partnership with the Michael J. Coles College of Business at Kennesaw State University, which provides office space, meeting and training space, access to classrooms, training labs and overhead support for the program. The CMC Mission is to create opportunities for long-term economic self-sufficiency and successful entrepreneurship through comprehensive entrepreneurial training for low- to moderate-income individuals and communities aspiring to create microenterprise programs.

For the Women with Disabilities Entrepreneur Project, CMC has partnered with CobbWorks, which does workforce investment training and explores employment options for people with disabilities. They have helped supply the individual coaching and assistance that some of the women with disabilities often need. Interested women with disabilities are encouraged to attend an info session and schedule a one-on-one interview, where they can discuss their business idea with a member of the CMC staff.

Cobb Microenterprise Center is located at:
3333 Busbee Drive
Kennesaw, Georgia 30144
770-499-3228

First Step Fund

First Step Fund is a nonprofit agency that has been providing business training and support to low- to moderate-income individuals in Kansas City since 1994.

From the beginning, First Step Fund's mission has been to foster economic self-sufficiency through entrepreneurship training, access to capital, and ongoing support. The founders shared a common belief that self-employment, or entrepreneurship, can be a viable alternative to public assistance or minimum wage and other low-paying jobs.

The First Step Fund program includes...

BUSINESS TRAINING
Qualified participants can sign up for two types of training:

• First Step FastTrac, a 12-session, 36-hour general business training course that covers concept development, marketing, price and profitability, and resource development. Cost: $20
• Family Child Care Entrepreneur Course, a 16-session, 54-hour family child care business training course covering topics included in First Step FastTrac that have been tailored to the family child care industry. Cost: $25

First Step Fund is located at:
4747 Troost Ave.
Kansas City, MO 64110
816-235-6116
info@firststepfund.org

Women's Initiative for Self-Employment

Women's Initiative for Self Employment (formerly know as WISE) is a private, non-profit agency providing comprehensive business training, on-going technical assistance and financing for Bay Area low-income women.

WISE programs are designed to assist an entrepreneur in gaining the necessary skills to start, grow and/or expand her business. This fall Women's Initiative will introduce a new business management training course, "Simple Steps to Start, Strengthen, or Grow Your Business"

Before beginning the Simple Steps, interested individuals must attend an information session where WISE will answer their questions and provide detailed information about their services. A schedule of information sessions is available on Women's Initiative's website (www.womensinitiative.org) or by calling the offices listed below.
The first five sessions of Simple Steps focus on financial literacy, entrepreneurial self-assessment, and what it takes to become a business owner. Women who fulfill our income requirements (earning 60% or less of the medium income for the San Francisco Bay Area) and decide their business idea warrants a full business plan can choose to continue in the program. The remaining 15 sessions build on business management skills, including break-even analysis, bookkeeping, and time and stress management. One-hour optional study and computer labs for homework support are also available on a weekly basis after class.

Business Enhancement Services- Once they graduate, women may register for continuing business services and courses, including monthly checks ins, one on one consultations, Business Improvement Seminars, coaching and they may also access financial services including access to loans and Individual Development Accounts.

WISE also offers classes in Spanish: SERVICIOS EN ESPAÑOL
El programa ALAS (Alternativas para Latinas en Autosuficiencia) tiene como objetivo apoyar a la mujer latina de bajos ingresos que quiere iniciar o ya está operando su negocio propio. ALAS ofrece entrenamiento de negocios, servicios de consulta, servicios de apoyo de nogocios y asistencia financiera en español. www.minegocito.org

Interested women with disabilities in the Bay Area can attend one-hour information sessions (informational orientations) in San Francisco or Oakland. There is no separate process or specialized classes for women with disabilities; WISE's program is fully integrated. WISE has two locations:

Administrative Offices and Services in English and Spanish
1398 Valencia Street
San Francisco, CA 94110
tel (415) 641-3460

Women's Business Center Services in English and Spanish
519 17th St, Suite 110
Oakland, CA 94612
tel (510) 287-3100

El Programa en Español
1398 Valencia Street
San Francisco, CA 94110
tel (415) 641-3460

Centro Bilingüe para Mujeres de Negocios
519 17th St, Suite 110
Oakland, CA 94612
tel (510) 287-3100

Centro Bilingue en Fruitvale
1900 Fruitvale Ave. (Fruitvale y Foothill)
Oakland, CA
Tel (510) 287-3100