National Council of Jewish Women, Pittsburgh Section

The National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW) is a grassroots organization of volunteers and advocates who turn progressive ideals into action. Inspired by Jewish values, NCJW strives for social justice by improving the quality of life for women, children and families and by safeguarding individual rights and freedoms.

Our projects include:

• The Center for Women: Launched in August 2013, the Center for Women (CFW) was founded to help Women in Transition (WIT) achieve economic independence. WIT are those who, because of separation, divorce, loss of a spouse, job or other life events, are in need of information and support, especially in the areas of financial management and workforce entry and re-entry. The CFW offers workshops, one-on-one consultations with professional experts, and robust mentoring and internship programs. The program has served over 1,000 unduplicated clients and engaged over 300 volunteers since its inception.

• Children's Rooms in the Courts: Our Children's Rooms in the Courts is the only project of its kind in the country, providing parents who are involved in court proceedings - as well prospective and empanelled jurors - a safe and nurturing place to secure their children while they are involved in court business. Each year the Children's Rooms provide care for more than 5,000 children.

• Social Enterprise -NCJW has had a long history of operating retail stores and events to generate funds needed to support our mission and provide a platform for member volunteerism and community service projects. Through our thrift store, Thriftique, NCJW supplies free clothing to low-income women and men re-entering the workforce and school clothing and supplies to children in need. We also provide valuable Internship opportunities for special-needs young adults, women in recovery and others. Since 1970, our Annual Designer Days event has been one of the area's largest warehouse sales of gently worn and new designer brand clothing and accessories. It is one of the highlights of our annual calendar. The 2016 Designer Days will take place November 3-6 (Patron Party on Nov. 2nd).

• Back 2 School Store: In 2015, NCJW Pittsburgh Section launched its first Back 2 School Store (B2SS), providing local elementary school children from low income families with all of the necessary items to enable them to begin the school year with confidence and positive self esteem. The program was a huge success, supplying nearly 200 children with backpacks filled with supplies, a new outfit for the first day of school, new sneakers, winter coat, hat and gloves, underwear and socks and so much more. In 2016, we expanded the B2SS to reach 500 children and their families.

• Advocacy Work: At both national and local levels, NCJW works to advance the well being and status of women, children and families and to ensure and advance individual and civil rights. Recently, we held two advocacy programs, one aimed at building awareness for human trafficking and another focused on the importance of a working federal court system as it relates to reproductive justice. In addition, we are working with the Greater Pittsburgh Nonprofit Partnership to register voters in this important election year.