WFA Grantee Spotlight: Women's Housing Equality and Enhancement League
“[Wheel has] given me back my dignity, my self respect, and the motivation to not only survive, but to thrive. It shows women that no matter what their circumstances are, they still have the power to change the lives of others as well as their own, and gives those who have finally made it, the chance to pass on their wisdom and to be an inspiration to those who are just coming out of the confusion and hopelessness of being on the streets.” -A former WHEEL program participant & active volunteer leader
Women’s Housing Equality and Enhancement League (WHEEL) is a community-based, grassroots organization which exists to give voice and leadership to homeless and low-income women, to facilitate campaigns around increased services and safety for homeless women, and to develop and support self-managed shelters. With their work, WHEEL is a catalyst for social justice organizing and leadership development among these women in King County.
Unrestricted operating support, like the funds WHEEL receives from WFA, are critical to ensuring their work can not only continue but grow to the next level. WHEEL has used these funds to strengthen its core organizing efforts and to expand the number of ongoing projects. Further, they have been able to offer a wider variety of opportunities for homeless and low-income women to become leaders in their communities; including political advocacy, campaigning for survival shelter, staffing a shelter, and facilitating a self-managed day center. In 2008, approximately 100 women were involved in WHEEL’s self-managed organizing and education/empowerment efforts. Over 20 women emerged as leaders in WHEEL’s ongoing activities.
One participant in WHEEL’s programs says that her participation literally changed her life. She came to WHEEL after having been homeless and laid off from her job. After staying in a shelter and hearing about WHEEL, she became involved as a way to pay back all the help and support she’d received. She emphasizes that the leadership of homeless and formerly homeless women in WHEEL is what makes their efforts so effective. Finally, she reflects that the more involved she became, the more productive she felt and now lives independently, makes her own income and sees herself beyond merely going through the motions of life, but truly thriving.
