New Community Ambassadors

Metrowest Women's Fund Community Ambassadors are local volunteers who spread the word in their community about MWF and the needs of women and girls in our region. Meet our newest Ambassadors below.

Cassandra Priante, Natick

"I am honored to serve as a Community Ambassador for the Metrowest Women’s Fund and to be part of a powerful network dedicated to listening to, learning from and supporting the women and girls in our community. MWF plays a vital role in allocating resources where they are needed most, and their commitment to investing in the education, safety and well-being of women and girls is essential to our communities."

Kate Houston, Weston

Kate believes that true change happens when compassion meets action, which is why she’s so proud to serve as an ambassador for the Metrowest Women’s Fund. Supporting women and girls isn’t just a cause for her—it’s a calling. She’s dedicated to breaking down barriers, amplifying voices, and ensuring that every woman in Metrowest has the opportunity to thrive.

Christina Pavlina, Wellesley

"The Metrowest Women’s Fund has a special place in my heart. I've seen how this organization is making an impressive impact on women and girls, and the communities women serve. I'm inspired by their work and honored to take part in furthering their mission, which touches and benefits so many lives."

Renee E. Jaworek, Ambassador-at-Large

"I am truly honored to join this impactful team of women as a Metrowest Women’s Fund Ambassador. I’ve worked in the financial industry for 20 plus years, dedicating the last decade to help detect and prevent facilitators from exploiting victims, especially young women, for financial gain. I am inspired by MWF’s mission and commitment to the women in our community and proud to be a part of it."

Announcing a MWF Needs Assessment of Safety from Violence Organizations in Metrowest

The Metrowest Women’s Fund (MWF) has completed a needs assessment of Safety from Violence organizations in Metrowest in partnership with Market Street Research. Safety from Violence, with a focus on domestic violence, sexual assault and the commercial sex trade of children, is a priority impact area for the Metrowest Women’s Fund.

“Faced with a crisis in federal funding and the reality that prevention and direct services around gender-based violence are notoriously under-resourced, we recognize the need to act locally,” said Rebecca Parkhill, MWF Co-Founder and Co-Director. Through confidential interviews, researchers collected crucial data that identify the current and ongoing needs and services of Metrowest organizations dedicated to women and girls and their safety from violence. Further goals are to educate the community about identified needs and gaps in services. The report found:

Key Insights and Recommendations

Safety from Violence nonprofits are facing increased client needs without the necessary resources to match. Nearly all client-serving SFV nonprofits report seeing:

• Long wait lists for services, with some organizations having to turn survivors away

• A lack of shelter space in the Metrowest area

• Long delays and wait lists for medical and mental health care

“Today we’re having a really difficult time supporting survivors in staying away from their abusers. The moment they reach out to us they’re at their breaking point but there is no place to go, and our resources are so limited. We don’t have enough volunteers or staff.”

- Nonprofit Interview

Resource and Capacity Crisis

Nonprofits are facing reduced budgets, an increased need for services, staff burnout and a lack of volunteers. Loss of resources and capabilities has a direct impact on clients’ survival.

Recommended Improvements for Grant Making

• Multi-year grant awards

• Support for general operating

• Streamlined applications

Anticipated Challenges

• Decreased funding at the federal level

• Need to plan strategically for an uncertain future

• Need for increased staff support in the face of increased workloads

Priority Client Needs

Survivors face a hierarchy of needs with most needing to secure housing, legal protections and employment first and foremost. Without these basic foundational needs met, it becomes much harder for survivors to escape an abusive situation.

Goals and Recommendations for Funders and the Community

• Listen and connect personally to the nonprofits

• Keep support local

• Increase collaboration among funders and nonprofits

• Raise awareness and destigmatize sexual and domestic violence.

Announcing a Special Match

Support Single Mother Students Today

A single financial emergency can derail the educational pursuits of single mother students. We created the Single Mother Student Emergency Fund in 2021 to support women at risk of leaving school because of a serious financial burden. The Fund provides crucial aid for non-tuition-related emergencies such as rent, childcare, transportation and more.

We launch the campaign this year with deep appreciation to Liz and Phill Gross who will match your gift, dollar for dollar, up to $30,000 in support of the Fund this month.

Give today and double your gift!

Read the full announcement here.