Sarah Cinquini Stephens and Melissa Gorgon Clark started their initiative in the spring of 2015 as a social platform to connect women to resources. The collective experience of our divorces and the culminating years gathering information on medical, legal, educational, spiritual, employment, and financial assistance should be accessible to other women experiencing transition. Be it returning to th
e workforce or school after a significant absence, veteran services, a medical crisis, divorce or death, KASI Institue is a social entrepreneurship designed to connect women to collective social and economic resources. "Kasi" in Swahili means speed, or momentum. Sarah has a strong connection to Kenya, where Swahili is one of the primary languages, working with A Voice Is Heard. We both like the word for its meaning, international connection, beautiful tone, and the ability to turn KASI into an English acronym, which reflects our mission: Knowledge, Action, Success, Inspire. About Melissa
After a difficult divorce in 2011, I returned to school full time as a single mother of four young children. Without local family, I relied heavily on friends for both emotional and financial support. I finished my degree at Portland State University with a double major: Social Sciences and Liberal Studies, and a double minor: International Studies and Film Studies. My experiences during difficult times has inspired me to help other women facing economic transitions. I am dedicated to sharing my accumulated knowledge with other mothers (and fathers!). About Sarah:
How Melissa and Sarah know each other:
Melissa and Sarah both served on a non profit board of directors. ...