For the first time in its 27-year history, Women Helping Women Fund (WHWF) released a comprehensive report on the state of women and children in Spokane County at its annual Luncheon on May 21, 2019. This groundbreaking report was created in partnership with Spokane Regional Health District (SRHD). It compiles the region’s most comprehensive qualitative and quantitative data into one singular report to illustrate the most critical issues facing women and children in our region.

The report, “Changing Our Forecast: The State of Women and Children in Spokane County,” was a result of WHWF’s desire to better understand the most pressing concerns facing women and children in the region, identify gaps in services or support, and identify collective opportunities to proactively address needs. Additional collaborative efforts and funding that supports the report came from community partners Innovia, MultiCare Health System, Providence Health Care and Eastern Washington University. These entities share a commitment to fostering the health and well-being of a vibrant community and supporting women and children’s causes.

While much of this data existed in pockets, this report pulls data and indicators from dozens of sources into one comprehensive report and online dashboard, available to the public and all of the region’s non-profits.The indicators range across life stages such as birth, early childhood, adolescence and adulthood, and provide sobering statistics regarding domestic violence, child abuse, substance abuse, food insecurity, mental health and educational attainment. One finding indicates that adequate child care places fall well below need in Spokane County with a gap in capacity of nearly 8,000 slots for 0-5 year olds.

“We hope this data and powerful indicators help the public better understand the specific needs of women and children in our community,” says Heather Hamlin, WHWF’s executive director. “We also see this report as a vital tool for other non-profits as they apply for grant funding from within, and outside, the region. We are so grateful to the volunteers and community partners who worked to bring this report to fruition.”

“The health and well-being of women and children are essential to vibrant and productive communities—this is a concept that is central to public health and why we, as an agency, were happy to give time and attention to this project,” said Stacy Wenzl, SRHD Data Center manager. “The data tells a local story of intergenerational poverty and adversity, leading to an unhappy forecast — a future — that is bleak for some women and children unless their circumstances change.”

The forecast for women and children can change — cycles can be broken; adversity can be overcome. Chances for success are far greater when communities come together to help. To learn more about the findings of this report and understand your role in helping, or to access the report, please contact Heather Hamlin, WHWF executive director, at heather@whwfspokane.com.

About Women Helping Women Fund (WHWF) - Spokane

Women Helping Women Fund was established in 1992 to raise the level of awareness about the plight of women & children living in poverty in our community. The non-profit believes that empowering women & children builds healthy families & vibrant communities. The organization is committed to helping women & children by raising money to assist programs that are making a difference in the lives of those in need.