Women’s Economic Ventures (WEV) Awarded $50,000 from Uplift Central Coast to Support EmpowerPath: A Bold New Initiative for Single Parents

Women’s Economic Ventures (WEV) has been selected as one of 36  organizations across the Central Coast to receive Catalyst Predevelopment Funding through Uplift  Central Coast. WEV was awarded $50,000 to support early-stage research and planning for  EmpowerPath, a new initiative designed to disrupt the cycle of poverty and build a future of  multigenerational financial freedom for single parents, particularly women, people of color, and  low-income individuals. 

Single parents, particularly single parents of color, face some of the steepest challenges to affording a life on the Central Coast. For example, in Santa Barbara County a mere 6% of employed  single parents with two dependents earn a living wage to sustain their household1.  

For Catalyst Predevelopment Funding, Uplift sought out organizations committed to “advancing  economic resilience, environmental sustainability, and equitable growth across the Central  Coast”. The Uplift Catalyst Predevelopment Fund received 136 proposals requesting nearly $50  million. 36 organizations were awarded funding, totaling $9 million. WEV’s project stood out for its  cross-sector innovation and alignment with regional goals around workforce development,  childcare solutions, and affordable housing access. 

EmpowerPath builds on WEV’s 30-year legacy of advancing economic opportunity for women through business training, financial education, consulting, and access to capital. This funding  marks an exciting broadening of WEV’s work—enabling WEV to specifically consider the needs of single parents, for whom formal employment may offer a more feasible and immediate path to  financial stability.  

With the financial support from Uplift, WEV will distribute a bilingual Needs Assessment survey,  and conduct focus groups and employer outreach to design a holistic, scalable program that could help single parents secure quality jobs and stable housing—while balancing the demands of  caregiving. 

Planned activities include an analysis of the local landscape of support services, research on best  practices from peer organizations like the Jeremiah Program and Rung for Women, and the  development of a feasibility study to inform program sustainability. Additionally, WEV will be looking  to build and foster connections within the private sector, working with employers who are willing  and able to provide quality jobs that offer competitive wages, flexible scheduling and benefits, and  the financial stability single parents need to support their families. 

The predevelopment phase is a critical foundation for EmpowerPath, allowing WEV to conduct the  research, outreach, and design work needed to ensure long-term success. By 2026, the program is  expected to be fully prepared for implementation and launch, with a clear roadmap, strong  community partnerships, and a sustainable model ready to support single parents on their path to  economic mobility. 

A full list of Catalyst award recipients is available here. 

About Women’s Economic Ventures (WEV), www.wevonline.org 

Women’s Economic Ventures is a nonprofit dedicated to the economic empowerment of  women. WEV is a business resource network for anyone looking to start or grow a business or  improve their business and financial skills. WEV provides a full range of small business support – including classes, consulting, and funding – as well as financial literacy programs in Santa Barbara  and Ventura counties. While WEV’s focus is on women, it welcomes people of all gender identities  into the WEV community. Business courses, programs and loans are provided in both English and  Spanish. 

Since 1991, WEV has provided business training and small business advisory services to more than  20,000 people throughout Santa Barbara and Ventura counties. WEV has made more than $10  million in small business loans and grants and helped nearly 6,000 local businesses start or  expand, generating an estimated $598 million in annual sales and sustaining or creating nearly  12,000 local jobs. WEV is a U.S. Small Business Administration’s Women’s Business Center and  Microlender, as well as a certified Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI).