EMPOWERMENT OF DISADVANTAGED WOMEN THROUGH MULTI-CULTURAL COOPERATIVE

THE METHODS TO BE EMPLOYED IN THIS PARTICIPATORY EXPERIMENT SEEK TO UTILIZE VISUAL AND DEMONSTRATION METHODS IN TEACHINGNEW CRAFTS AND BUSINESS SKILLS TO WOMEN WITH MULTIPLE BARRIERS, (E.G. ENGLISH LANGUAGE DEFICIENCIES; LOW SELF-ESTEEM; LACK OF PERSONAL PROBLEM SOLVING SKILLS) IN ORDER TO OVERCOME THE DISSIMILARITIES OF CULTURAL AND ETHNIC VALUES AND TRADITIONAL SKILLS. IT IS THE AIM OF THIS EXPERIMENT TO CREATE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR EXPLORATION OF THE COMMON NEEDS AND CONCERNS OF DISADVANTAGED WOMEN LIVING IN POVERTY AND DISCOVERY OF COMMON SOLUTIONS. WE ARE USING THE COOPERATIVE ENTITY AS THE VEHICLE FOR THE DEVELOPMENT SOLUTIONS. WE ARE USING THE COOPERATIVE ENTITY AS THE VEHICLE FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF THESE SUPPORTIVE SERVICES WITH THE ULTIMATE OUTCOME BEING THE EMPOWERMENT OF THESE WOMEN TO MAKE A LIVING AND AFFORD THEMSELVES THE BASIC SECURITY OF A SUPPORT SYSTEM WHICH ENABLES THEM TO CULTIVATE THEIR MUTUAL CREATIVITY AND MAKE IT PROFITABLE.