In February 2012 the United Way of Delaware County officially launched the Women's Leadership Network (WLN) with the guidance from 10 Delaware County women. These 10 women had begun meeting in 2011 to layout the vision and direction for the WLN prior to its official launch. In 2012 WLN raised $33,000 and invested in 4 programs. Since then, the WLN has raised and invested over $1,100,000 in communi
ty programs that empower individuals and families to succeed. The Women's Leadership Network is one of the largest funders of social change in our community. 100% of financial gifts flow directly to organizations we support. Along the way, we intentionally shine light on problems that few want to publicly talk about – like the he**in epidemic and human trafficking – contributing early to what have become state and national conversations. We’ve invested in root causes of poverty and hunger and have made great strides to provide children with school supplies and confidence so they can focus on learning – perhaps giving each child the opportunity to change their future circumstances. The WLN demonstrated early support to open a domestic violence shelter in Delaware County by providing the initial funds for the purchase of land and buildings for the site, which opened in 2018.
