Research
Facts drive solutions. To make grants that impact the lives of women and girls, WGA first finds the data, then identifies the issues, especially those affecting the most vulnerable groups. Finally, we seek examples of success: the “Voices of Hope” that can guide progress. Here are the results of our current research project, the third in our 15-year history, presented in layers of increasing detail.
Voices of Hope
Drawing conclusions from our current research, we identify four critical, achievable goals that we believe offer sustainable improvement for the lives of women and girls in Northeast Florida:
- Break the Cycle of Female Poverty – A comprehensive approach encompasses education, job skills, budgeting, health, child care and more.
- Educate Girls for Economic Success – Stimulating early interest in science, technology, engineering and math leads to education choices that, in turn, lead to in-demand careers with high pay.
- Provide Trauma-Informed Addiction Therapy – Successful recovery requires attention to both the substance abuse and to the trauma that is often the underlying cause.
- Address Girls’ Reproductive Health – Preventing unwanted pregnancy and STDs is key to a better future.
Our report describes local and national models of success for each goal, illustrating the need for comprehensive approaches that crack the code for solving complex issues. The challenge is finding ways to scale these proven solutions to match our community’s needs.
Fields of Interest
We focus our research – and our grantmaking – in broad fields of interest critical to the well-being of women and girls. You will find our current research in each of those fields: first a summary of key issues, then detailed data and links to original sources.
Educational Attainment – Recognizing the close correlation to a woman’s long-term economic and health status, WGA has interest in improving education outcomes encompassing pre-school through higher education and job preparation. Learn more.
Economic Empowerment – Improving the economic circumstances of women involves educational attainment, training to qualify for well-paying jobs, mentoring, personal financial management, and support for women business owners. Learn more.
Physical & Mental Health – Improving the health and well-being of women and girls requires access to quality care to address their specific physical and mental health needs, as well as to information and skills to improve health outcomes. Learn more.
Safety & Justice – Steps to keep women and girls safe from violence and victimization are a priority along with addressing the frequent consequences – like involvement with the criminal justice system and addiction – when abuse occurs. Learn more.
Some Common Threads
Demographic Trends – Population characteristics and family structures are changing. The evolving status of women and girls touches all of WGA’s fields of interest and affects the resources needed to improve their lives. Learn more.
The Jay and Deanie Stein Unrestricted Fund at The Community Foundation for Northeast Florida generously underwrote this WGA research and the publication of Voices of Hope.