FCF To Launch Fund

For Women And Girls

WILTON, CONN. — The Fairfield County Foundation will officially launch a new initiative, the Fund for Women and Girls, and award the first grants from the fund totaling $40,000 at a luncheon on April 12 at the Inn at Longshore, Westport.

According to Charlotte Suhler, chair of the Steering Committee for the Fund, “Extensive research and roundtable discussions with community experts have led us to conclude that the greatest unmet needs of Fairfield County women and their children are housing-related. Every day throughout Fairfield County, women struggle to secure homes for themselves and their families. We intend to help in a variety of ways; for example, with financial literacy education and assistance with security deposits.”

The 39-member volunteer Steering Committee, working to raise the fund’s $2 million goal, have doubled a $300,000 challenge grant and hope to raise $1 million by April 12.

The affordable housing crisis affects many families in the county, but especially female-headed households. In an age where the breakup of domestic arrangements is commonplace and often leaves the woman in a partnership at a distinct financial disadvantage, many women are ill-informed and ill-equipped to deal with economic issues for their families and themselves. A lack of understanding of the basics of finance, of ways to build reserves for security deposits and downpayments, and the fact that many women have no independent credit history that will make them eligible for homes of their own, all contribute to the growing number of women who are essentially facing the possibility of homelessness.

Seating for the luncheon of the Fund for Women and Girls is limited. Those interested in attending, making a contribution, or seeking more information may contact Pat Kris at the Fairfield County Foundation, 203/834-9393.