Iola Harper, the Executive Director of the Women’s Opportunities Resource Center (WORC) discussed their mission to promote social and economic self-sufficiency primarily for economically disadvantaged women and their families in the greater five-county Philadelphia metro. She spoke of their programs WORC provides training, individual business assistance, incentive savings program, job placement, and access to business and financial resources. She described how they make individuals and businesses ‘bank ready’ through the repayment of micro-loans, their matching programs to encourage saving and financial planning, and their online and community-based training programs to teach business skills. 

We discussed the Women’s Committee for the 250 core projects, the refurbishing of Belmont Mansion and the Women’s Business Pitch Competition, hosted by WORC. Applications are now available for any woman-owned small business located in Philadelphia. Applicants can receive valuable mentoring and networking opportunities, as well as cash prizes up to $25,000.

To learn more or to enter the Business Pitch Competition go to WORC-PA.com