Supporting and celebrating women’s rights is a year-round responsibility, but on International Women’s Day last Saturday, March 8, it was even more important to take a stand for women’s equality.

Students in the Chester County Intermediate Unit’s Discover program have been witnessing this mission firsthand through volunteering their hours at Kennett Square nonprofit Wings for Success, which works to empower women in need to pursue employment and economic security through apparel, advice, and advocacy.

“Our students that work at Wings for Success are all female,” said Chris Haas, CCIU vocational specialist. “Volunteering at Wings for Success provides them with an invaluable experience that allows them to not only gain real life work skills, but to do so at an organization that supports other women throughout Chester County.”

Haas worked hand in hand with Wings for Success program manager Kelly Quant to identify appropriate positions for the Discover students to experience that were a good fit for the students and the employer. At Wings for Success, the student-workers could be found steaming wrinkles out of newly donated clothing, folding clothing, organizing garments by size, putting items on hangers, and sweeping and mopping the floors.

“I did not anticipate how passionate the students would be about assisting with tasks, and it has been a joy to provide them with this experience,” said Quant. “At Wings for Success, we value the opportunity to offer services to women in need, such as clothing for employment and job readiness workshops. We also value our ability to offer volunteer opportunities to community members and students like the young women in the Discover program. Establishing partnerships with local schools and organizations is a vital part of our program.”

When it comes to gender equality and celebrating women’s rights, ambitious partnerships like this one play a pivotal role in keeping the important mission of International Women’s Day front and center each and every day.

The CCIU Discover program offers students an integration of classroom and pre-vocational instruction with on-the-job training. Students with IEPs, between the ages of 16 and 21, are assessed for placement in group or individual settings within the community. Click here to learn more about the Discover program. Click here to learn more about Wings for Success and potential volunteer or donation opportunities.

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