Lataya's Story

A 22-year-old single mom of toddler Michael, Lataya grew up in the Philadelphia foster care system where she repeatedly suffered physical, emotional and sexual abuse and was left ill prepared for life on her own.

Now as a client of Northwest Philadelphia Interfaith Hospitality Network, a WOMEN’S WAY funded agency, Lataya has the help she needs to succeed. Because the agency addresses and understands the complexity of issues that women like Lataya face on the road to self-sufficiency, Lataya has the best chance for creating a better life for her son and for herself.

Lataya is benefitting from WOMEN’S WAY not just through the services she receives from our funded agency; she also benefits from our comprehensive public policy work. For many women, including Lataya, staying home from work to care for a sick child means losing critical pay.

Though she is working toward a brighter future, Lataya's employer doesn't offer earned sick days. When Michael fell ill, Lataya not only had to take time off work, she lost more wages when her employer cut her hours because of her absence.

Setbacks like these are significant to women and families struggling to make ends meet. No woman should have to choose between keeping a roof over her head and caring for a loved one.

WOMEN’S WAY is committed to funding effective organizations while simultaneously leading efforts toward positive policy change, like earned sick days. Support of WOMEN’S WAY has a profound positive impact on the lives of women and their families right here in our region.