The Minerva Helping Women Work™ (MHWW) programs are tailored to assist women in their search for meaningful and rewarding work.  If you need professional assistance in a supportive environment to formulate a work plan or direction, we encourage you to complete the relevant application form and email it to us.

1. MHWW Vancouver Program for young women (20-40 years old)

    For 20-40 year old women with:
      * Post secondary education - college diploma, university degree or partial                completion of a degree
      * Work experience of 2 years
      * Proficient English language skills
      * An employment gap of 2 years or were underemployed
      * The need to earn an income within the next 6-12 months

     Dates:                          September 24th - December 3rd, 2008
                                         Wednesday Sept. 24th from 4 or 5:00pm until
                                         9:00pm, exact times for the first session to be                                                    confirmed...
                                         Wednesdays from 6:00pm-9:00pm
                                         Saturdays from 10:00am-2:00pm
     Location:                      SFU Harbour Centre at 515 West Hastings Street
    Application Deadline:   September 5th, 2008

Application Form

2. MHWW Vancouver Program for mature women over the age of 30 starting January 2009

Application form will be available online from October 2008

3. MHWW Victoria Program for mature women

      For women over the age of 30 with:
      * Post secondary education - college diploma or university degree
      * Work experience of at least 5 years
      * Proficient English language skills
      * An employment gap of at least 2 years or were underemployed
      * The need to earn an income within the next 6-12 months

     Dates:                       September 23th - November 20th, 2008 
                                      Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:30AM - 3:00PM
     Location:                   Bedford Regency Hotel
    Application Deadline:   August 20th, 2008

Application Form

The Minerva Foundation for BC Women acknowledges the financial support of the Province of British Columbia through the Ministry of Community Services that has made these programs possible.  

Program Details of the Minerva Helping Women Work™ Program:

Step 1: Prepares you for re-entry into the world of work by:

• clarifying what you want for yourself.
• recognizing the beliefs and habits that may stop you, and determining how to manage them.
• understanding the process of change and how it relates to your own life.
• consciously building a strong team to work within, and understanding how to work with others.
• preparing for coaching throughout the program.

Step 2: Introduces you to the current workplace, with a powerful circle of support. With a team of mentors, made up of Vancouver’s best and brightest professionals, you’ll begin to explore what your career re-entry will look like by:

• exploring your own wants, needs, interests and skills.
• understanding the labour market and how you may fit into it.
• understanding how to build a network and to connect with others.
• working with a team of mentors to get information and input.

Step 3: Sets targets and prepares you for job search. Here you will prepare for re-entry by:

• developing a job search strategy, goals, and an action plan.
• preparing resumes and cover letters related to the positions you are looking for.
• preparing for interviews and negotiation.

Step 4: Go for it!  Actual job search begins with a reconnection event with mentors and is mostly group self-managed with ongoing staff/professional support.

Opening a door for someone works both ways. Giving can be as valuable as receiving.