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About Us
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- In 1980, a group of professional women formed the Center as a publicly-funded program dedicated to supporting women who were re-entering the labor market as a result of being widowed or divorced
- In
1984, the Center became an independent non-profit, 501(c)3 organization
- In
1993, the Center formed a collaborative arrangement
with Columbus State Community College and moved on
campus
- In
1997, the Center became a member agency of the United
Way, a relationship that continues to strengthen
- In
2000, Best Foot Forward Career Clothing Closet opens,
providing new or gently used quality career clothing
to career women
- In
2003, the Center moves to a larger site so that it can
expand its programming and meet the increasing demand
for its services
- In 2005, the Center changed it's name to "New
Directions Career Center". The Center's clothing
closet also changed it's name from "Best Foot Forward
Career Closet" to "New Directions Clothing Closet".
- In 2006 the Clothing Closet moved from 50 W. Main
St. to 199 E. Rich St., in downtown Columbus. This
move has provided the Center with a retail space in
which to accommodate the growing demand for it's
services.
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Denise, at the age of 38, walked through the
doors of Center for New Directions looking for acceptance for
the woman she is today, and not for judgments based on her past
behaviors. Having spent her childhood in foster care, where she
was physically and sexually abused, Denise never seemed to have
the chance to develop self-esteem or self-confidence. In 1998,
a major turning point occurred – a gang sexually assaulted
Denise. She remembers being beaten, including being stomped on
by six gang members. A worker from a social service agency
found Denise lying in the street and within a week, Denise
entered a six-month chemical dependency rehabilitation program.
After hearing about Center for New Directions while in
treatment, Denise showed up at our door. She stated that she
was desperate to find help. Eager to learn more about herself
as well as come up with some plans for the future, Denise
faithfully attended the month-long New Directions
program. Her self-confidence rose to new highs during the
program. During the New Directions program, Denise
enrolled in real estate schooling, which she has now completed,
and now is working on her licensing exam. Denise is clean and
sober, has been in a healthy relationship for over three years,
and is working towards her dream career in real estate. |
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