Womansong’s New Start Program helps women in transition make a new start in their lives through providing grants and scholarships. The NSP fund is intended to “fill in the gap” when other short-term funding options are not available. Candidates for a New Start Program grant are referred to us by local, licensed social service agencies. Each candidate has been screened for eligibility by a case manager. This one-time grant is available for the amount of need up to $500.

NSP grant requests are as diverse as the women receiving them. To date, monies have been used to purchase bus tickets for a family escaping domestic violence, for rent or utility deposits, for professional licensing or certification exam fees, or for wardrobe items needed for job interviews. The NSP grants typically provide needed support for a woman on her path toward greater self-sufficiency.

We also sponsor the Womansong New Start Scholarship at A-B Technical Community College in Asheville. The scholarship provides up to $1,000 for education or training at A-B Tech.

In December 2010, the New Start Program awarded four $450 scholarships for women in need at A-B Technical Community College and four $450 scholarships at Haywood Communtiy College. Additionally, in 2010 we set up a $600 special fund at A-B Technical Community College and Haywood Community College to help women in need with expenses of required immunizations for entering certificate or diploma programs.