Contact: Jan Gietzel, Executive Director
A Fund For Women
(608) 441-0630
affw@madisoncommunityfoundation.org
Annual event features keynote address on cyberbullying
MADISON – To support local nonprofit organizations in their efforts to create opportunity and promote self-sufficiency among women and girls, A Fund For Women on Thursday awarded $100,000 in grants to programs ranging from lessons on economic pathways for girls to education for new parents.
Jan Gietzel, executive director of A Fund For Women, says support for the fund’s mission continues to grow despite the challenging economic times. A crowd of more than 400 gathered for the organization’s annual event Thursday at Monona Terrace to honor the local nonprofit grantees and hear a keynote speech by Parry Aftab, founder of WiredSafety.org and an expert on cyberbullying.
“A Fund For Women continues to work towards improving the lives of girls and women in our community on many levels,’’ Gietzel says. “Our grants help fund innovative programs and services provided by our community’s most effective nonprofit organizations. On another level, we work to connect our volunteers with these programs and engage more women in philanthropy.’’
The keynote speech by author and New York-based privacy lawyer Aftab is consistent with A Fund For Women’s efforts to increase understanding of the challenges facing adolescent girls from all backgrounds. A recent study in the Journal of Adolescent Medicine indicates cyberbullying is becoming more common as growing numbers of children have cell phones and access to online social networking sites.
Although both boys and girls may be victims or aggressors, Aftab says girls are particularly vulnerable because they appear to be using interactive technologies for social purposes to a greater extent. Girls “live out loud online’’ and are more comfortable posting photos and personal information about themselves, Aftab says. A worrisome pattern appears to be developing as adolescents begin dating, and more boys are asking girls for nude photos and password access to the girl’s personal accounts.
Gietzel says A Fund For Women’s grants aim to encourage healthy behaviors among girls and women — including the ability to build and sustain positive relationships. This year’s grants include:
* Kennedy Heights Community Center, Economic Pathways, $8,000;
* The Rainbow Project, Madres y hijas (Mothers and daughters), $19,700;
* Goodman Community Center, Mom’s Own Mentor: Project Mom, $15,000;
* Planned Parenthood, Dane County Parent Education Program, $10,000;
* Care Net Pregnancy Center of Dane County, Nurturing a New Life Parent Education Program, $2,300;
* The Exchange Center for the Prevention of Child Abuse, Parents and Children Together (PACT), $21,500; and
* Canopy Center, Pwr 2 Wmn! (Power to Women), $23,500
A Fund For Women was established in 1993 to improve the lives of girls and women in our community. Since that first year, when a group of visionary donors put together an endowment of $100,000, the fund has grown to more than $1.1 million and has provided in excess of $822,000 to more than 87 community organizations. For more information, visit http://www.affw.org.
