Empowering & Confidence

Workshop

Women of Opportunities ProgramChampaign Housing Authority

T E S T I M O N Y

Cindy Christensen’s Story:

An Amazing Story of A Young Adult Woman’s Success on overcoming Poverty

22 years old

Cindy’s Accomplishments

Cindy is a remarkable young adult who has overcome living in poverty. You would never guess looking at her that she has come from a place of physical and emotional lack. She now has two degrees, a fulfilling full time job, and tells her story to various audiences, hoping to make a difference in the way society responds to poverty.

F I R S T T H I N G S F I R S T

Empowerment:● To promote the self-

actualization or influence of a certain individual or group

● To invest with power● Especially legal power

or official authority

Self-Confidence:● A feeling of trust in one's

abilities, qualities, and judgment

● A feeling or belief that you can do something well or succeed at something

● Confidence in oneself or one's own abilities-Virginia Wolf

S E L F - C O N F I D E N C E

Ways-to-Build-ConfidenceStep 1: Identify the problem· Figure out what makes you feel insecure or embarrassed.

· Try talking to someone about it.

Step 2

Think of possible solutions· If it's something you can fix, think about how you can improve your situation

· If it's something that's central to who you are, focus on the positive aspects of it.

· Spend some time either working on the issue or learning to accept it.

Step 3

Take steps in the right direction· Work hard at trying to eliminate the issue that bothers you.

· Focus on another aspect of yourself that can take attention away from the negative one.

Step 4

Encourage yourself

· Remind yourself of your many talents and abilities.

· Set a goal and reward yourself for achieving it.

· Find a new activity or hobby you enjoy.

Step 5

Stay positive· Act positive and upbeat, even when you're not. It will eventually catch on.

· Avoid self-pity, and stay away from negative people.

· Think of and plan for the future.

· Learn to accept a compliment.

Step 6

Project your positive feelings· Smile. A lot!

· Encourage others and be helpful and generous.

Direct Example

● Personal example from my life

● I needed to write my resume to turn into multiple agencies

Step 1

Identify the problem● I was nervous that I wasn't going to be able to

write an appropriate resume● I felt embarrassed that I didn’t have a resume

already and I thought others did● I talked about this with fellow students and

learned that we all had insecurities and most of us were writing our resumes for the first time

● I spoke with my advisor who offered to edit my resume when I completed it

Step 2

Think of possible solutions● I could look up basic resume templates

online to get a basic idea of what a resume looked like

● I could stop by the career center on campus to ask for handouts on tips to writing a good resume

● After talking with my advisor I knew she could edit my resume to make sure it was what agencies where looking for

Step 3

Take steps in the right direction● I picked up handouts and downloaded

resume templates online● I set aside time during my week to begin

work on my resume● I made a rough draft of my resume● I had it edited and learned that there was a

lot that needed to be fixed

Step 4

Encourage yourself● While going through the process I reminded

myself that I have accomplished many things that will look good on my resume

● I rewarded myself for completing my first draft of my resume by watching my favorite tv show

● I spent time with friends to get rid of some stress of writing the resume

Step 5

Stay positive ● I told myself i had done my best so far and

would continue to try my best● I didn’t talk about my resume with other

students who had negative things to say about the process

● I made a plan to continue to work on the new edited version of my resume

● I remembered compliments I was given on aspects of my resume I had done well

Step 6

Project your positive feelings● After going through this process I felt confident

that I would produce a great resume

● I encouraged other students to try their best on their resumes as well

● :)

YOUR ROLEA S A W O M A N

● Role: “The part played by a person in a particular social setting, influenced by his expectation of what is appropriate.”

● Discussion Question: What is your role right now as a woman?

Roles of Women

● Roles of women have definitely changed overtime which include:

-Business Executives -Politicians -Leaders -Activists -Soldiers -Breadwinners ● Studies show that women have advanced

further professionally

Article on Women’s Role Changes

USA Today: “Women are the new breadwinners” - the tables are turning!

“She's a soldier. He's a stay-at-home dad.She works at a booming software company. He's starting a graphic design business.She's a business executive and electrical engineer. He's quit many jobs to move for her career advancements.”

This is all to say that...

We are ALL needed to fulfill our roles in our different callings, positions and situations

a. Why?i. 1) Because you CAN!ii. 2) Because we are all part of a system (families,

friends, work, etc.)iii. 3) We all have different gifts, talents that need to

be put to use!

YOUR G I F T S & T A L E N T S

Questions to ask yourself:● What activities that I engage with make me happy?● What am I most passionate about in life?● Listen to your gifts (Motivating others, sports, cooking,

writing, communicate well, singing, working with your hands)

● Listen to others (Friends, family members, members of the church)

● Listen to your passions (What makes you angry, joyful, or excited? )

V I D E O

http://vimeo.com/19658397

Words of Inspiration -“A woman is the full circle. Within her is the power to create, nurture and transform.”-Diane Mariechild

-“It doesn’t matter who you are, or where you came from. The ability to triumph begins with you. Always.”-Oprah Winfrey

- “You may be disappointed if you fail, but you are doomed if you don’t try.”-Beverly Sills

-“Remember, no one can make you feel inferior without your consent.”-Eleanor

Roosevelt

“The thing women have yet to learn is nobody gives you power. You just take

it.”-Roseanne Barr