JVS turning point for me. We talked about life cycles — the kind of turbulence that everyone goes through approxi- mately every 10 years — and suddenly I realized I was not alone. It was like a light turned on for me and I could see my circumstance as an opportunity and a new beginning" Kim Graziosi, JVS communica- tions director, says, "There's a notable change in the women as they complete the program. You actually can see the transformation from week to week. On day one, the room is very quiet; all eyes are averted and downcast. By the second week, everyone is sitting up a little taller, speaking with more con- fidence. By the end of the 10 weeks, there's clearly a different vibe in the room, a brighter outlook all around" A Course Of Action Women to Work is a comprehensive course of action designed to empower participants to identify their skills, strengths, abilities, values and personal styles as related to workplace relation- ships. Holistic in its approach, the program also can be a healing process for many as participants work on their resume development, networking skills, goal-setting processes and stress management. "What the program can't do is to guarantee a job or solve everyone's problems," Richmond says. "But, we can provide the tools necessary to help people find new ways of thinking about themselves, their skills and their potential in the workplace:' Sitting tall at her workstation today, solving problems and ever eager to learn new skills, Steinberg is proof positive that the program works. For her success in retooling herself to re-enter the workforce, she has been named the recipient of the JVS Women to Work Award to be presented at 6 p.m. Wednesday, March 18, at JVS' seventh annual Trade Secrets fund- raiser at ICnollwood Country Club in West Bloomfield. "I used to worry" Steinberg says. "I was afraid I wouldn't be able to take care of myself and my son. Now I know I can, no matter what" According to Richmond, "After completing the program, 85 percent of participants are employed or go back to school for further training or educa- tion. The other 15 percent continue to receive services until they find a job" For more information on Women to Work, visit JVSdet.org or contact Judy Richmond at (248) 233-4232 or jrichmond@jvsdetroit.org . ❑ Vivian Henoch is a writer at myjewishdetroit, where this story first appeared. T EVENT RAM SECRETS 9! V- Wednesday, March 18 6 p.m. at Knollwood Country Club in West Bloomfield An inspiring night out to support the JVS Women to Work Program, featuring Melanie Bergeron's trade secrets, networking, glamour and exciting raffle prizes! Honorary Chair & Keynote Speaker: Melanie Bergeron Two Men and a Truck PRESENTING SPONSOR Elizabeth Elkus Cheryl Margolis Shayna Silverman DeRoy Testamentary Foundation TS FOUNDING CHAIRS Hadas Bernard Elaine Fieldman - EMERALD SPONSORS Elaine Fieldman through the Fieldman Sims Foundation G RE ENLEAF TRUST SAPPHIRE SPONSORS Douglas C. Lane & Associates Inc. EHIM Kenwal Steel Corporation Lisa and Brian Meer Skinny Tees Melissa Spickler, Merrill Lynch Two Men and a Truck Lori and Alan Zekelman RUBY SPONSORS Hadas and Dennis Bernard Dakkota Integrated Systems Debra Ribitwer & Associates FirstMerit Bank Nancy and Jim Grosfeld Joshua (Jim) and Eunice Stone Foundation LSG Insurance Partners Leah and Daniel Rosenbaum Stephanie and Jared Rosenbaum Rush Group/DMS United Road Julie and Lawrence Weisler AQUAMARINE SPONSORS Elaine Beresh Butzel Long Dickinson Wright PLLC Linda Dresner Levy and Gwen Weiner (Edw. C. Levy Co.) Equilibrium Pilates Studio Henry Ford Health System Lipson Neilson Cole Seltzer & Garin PC Cheryl and Kim Margolis Lori and Maurice Pogoda St. John Providence Health System lei Huntington Welcome. PEARL SPONSORS Area Agency on Aging 1-B Beaumont Health System Faye and Paul Blatt Suzi Daitch Dell and Jodi Neff Emily and Josh Eichenhorn Elizabeth Elkus and Shayna Silverman Nancy and David Gad-Harf G. Fisher Construction Beth Gotthelf and Steven Miesowicz Judy Greenwald Hiller's Markets Jill and Lee Hurwitz Carolyn Koblin - Queen of Trinkets and Trash/pulse220 Gail and Don Lansky Law Offices of Bruce Pazner PC Law Offices of Kristen Gross PC Linda Kole and Julie Nelson-Klein Barbara Nurenberg Oakland University Oakland Veterinary Referral Services Plante Moran PLLC Dorie Shwedel and Fran Victor Denise and Michael Tobin Lori and Steven Weisberg Adele Weisler Sponsors as of 2/6/15 Realizing Life's Potential www.jvsdet.org HONORARY COMMITTEE Lisa Brown Florine Mark Beth Chappell Sheri Mark Kathleen McCann Desiree Cooper Eva Feldman, MD, Patricia Mooradian PhD* Faye Nelson Sarah Deson-Fried Heather Paquette Congresswoman Colleen Peters Debbie Dingell Vivian Pickard Anne Doyle Sandra Pierce* Linda Dresner* Dr. Glenda Price Marla Drutz Andra Rush Blanca Fauble Nancy Schlichting Mindi Fynke Linda Solomon* Julie Nelson-Klein Lynn Torossian Mary Kramer* *Past honorary chair Congresswoman Brenda Lawrence COMMITTEE Dana Cooper Suzi Daitch Dell Nancy Gad-Harf Beth Gotthelf Judy Greenwald Sher Kaplan Linda Kayes Jackie Layne Nancy Mahlin Jodi Neff Julie Nelson-Klein Debby Portney Debra Ribitwer Judy Richmond Lois Shaevsky Eva Shapiro Dorie Shwedel Fran Victor Gwen Weiner Adele Weisler Linda Weitz Tickets are $360, $250 and $150. Sponsorships also available. Please contact Judy Strongman at 248.233.4213 or jstrongman@jvsdet.org 1980940 February 12 • 2015 23