H.N. and Frances C. Berger Foundation donates $25,000 to the Girlfriend Factor
The Girlfriend Factor is CBS Local 2’s Coachella Valley Spotlight recipient for November. It’s an organization that provides educational grants and emotional support to adult women who choose to better their lives through higher education and occupational training.
Jennifer Stebbins is one of the many women the Girlfriend Factor has helped.
“It was at a time where I wasn’t sure which direction my life was going to go. I was in the midst of a divorce and I had been a stay-at-home mom previously. And I knew I needed something where I could support myself and set a good example for my children,” Stebbins said.
That’s when Stebbins reached out to the Girlfriend Factor.
“They looked at me and they saw what I couldn’t see in myself at that time and they chose me and said I could do it,” Stebbins said.
With their help she was able to go back to school and get the training and education she needed. Now she’s a special education teacher.
“‘Thank you’ is not even enough. I feel so blessed and so honored and I look at the women in the Girlfriend Factor as role models and as I’ve gone through the process of my education I can consider them my peers now,” Stebbins said.
The Girlfriend Factor has been providing women who are just like Jennifer with financial support for 10 years. Founder Joan Busick said she was just like the women she helps, which is why she started the organization.
“I think it’s very easy to allow life to happen to you, and women do this, and what we’re showing them is that they are able to take control of their lives,” Busick said.
At their annual luncheon the H.N. and Frances C. Berger Foundation surprised the Girlfriend Factor with $25,000 to continue their work in our community.
“We are beyond ecstatic over this $25,000, considering we started with $100 donations. And we have big plans for it. We’re going to start a public awareness campaign on the importance of education in everyone’s life,” Busick said.
The Coachella Valley Spotlight grant is allowing them to grow their reach right where it matters most.
