Women's Economic Ventures (WEV, pronounced "weave') is a local, non-profit organization dedicated to creating an equitable and just society through the economic empowerment of women across the globe.

WEV began providing programming for women in the areas of employment, economic literacy, and personal finance in 1987. In 1991, WEV established its self-employment training and microloan programs. Today WEV provides services throughout Santa Barbara and Ventura Counties and licenses its training curriculum to organizations throughout the state.

Description:
Why Women?
Besides earning 74 cents for every dollar earned by a man, women face many obstacles to economic success. Women still bear the primary responsibility for caring for the family. As a result, many postpone business and career opportunities until their children are grown, putting them at a competitive disadvantage in the job market. Divorced women who have spent many years as homemakers are particularly disadvantaged. 25% of all female-headed families live in poverty in Santa Barbara County.

At WEV, we believe that women are well qualified to operate successful businesses - they just don't know it. Whether you choose to work for yourself or for someone else, WEV helps you to develop the confidence as well as the personal and technical skills you need to succeed in the business world.

Does WEV help Men, Too?
Yes. Although we primarily target women, business counseling and loans are available to men, especially minority and low-income men who have not had access to traditional job opportunities, training and business capital.

History:
Women's Economic Ventures began as the Santa Barbara Women's Community Building Project (WCB) which was incorporated in 1981. It's goals were to address the diverse needs of women which were not being met in the community and to house women's services, businesses, economic development programs and events in one central location.

In 1987, the WCB began providing programming for women in the areas of employment, economic literacy, and personal finance. Three years of research and development resulted in the establishment of our self-employment training and peer lending program in 1991. At the same time, the organization's name was changed to Women's Economic Ventures to reflect our focus on economic development for women.

WEV's microenterprise program began as a four-week business orientation and peer lending program which provided loans of up to $1,500 to low-income women. In 1991, WEV had a staff consisting of one full-time and one half-time employee with an annual budget of $68,000.

Today, WEV offers a comprehensive 14-week, 54-hour self-employment training program, individual business counseling, facilitated peer groups, personal development and economic literacy training, mentoring, and business start-up loans of up to $25,000 to pre-bankable microenterprises.

WEV's microloan program, the Small Business Loan Fund of Santa Barbara (SBLF), was established in 1996 with a Grant of $75,000 from the City of Santa Barbara and $225,000 in matching funds from seven local banks. The individual microloan program replaced WEV's peer lending model.

In 1999, WEV was certified by the U.S. Department of the Treasury as a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI). Currently WEV has made microloans totaling over $500,000.

WEV has a staff of nine employees and a budget of over $550,000. Since its inception, WEV has provided self-employment training for over 1,000 women.

Contact person: Shana Pearson, Volunteer Manager, (phone), (email)
Office fax number: (805) 962-9622

Address:

333 S. Salinas St Santa Barbara, CA 93103 (See a map)

Web Site: http://www.wevonline.org

Directions:

Driving Directions From 101-Northbound, exit Salinas St. Go straight through first stop sign and turn right on Lou Dillon Drive. From 101-Southbound, exit Milpas. Turn left onto Milpas and veer right at the roundabout onto Carpinteria Street. Travel 6-7 blocks and. . . (more)