Empowering Women - July 2023

Changes Trending at The Centre for Women

At The Centre for Women, we spend a lot of time looking at trends: trends for women, trends in leadership, workforce development and mental wellness, trends in the nonprofit world and real-world trends that have an impact on our lives and our work. It is not just a simple fascination with what is happening, but an essential way to make sure we are keeping pace with what is needed in our community.

Because of the talented and committed individuals who make up our organization, The Centre for Women can respond to, adapt, and incorporate necessary changes. And, while we spend time following trends, we also set them.

Consider the advances we have made this year alone – including the expansion of our Women’s Business Centre with an added focus to help Hispanic female entrepreneurs to achieve their dreams of business ownership; the launch of an innovative women’s leadership institute created in partnership with some of Tampa’s most accomplished leaders; the growth of our construction services division to help low-income seniors and people with special needs to stay in their homes, and the efforts of our Counseling & Wellness team to prepare for an even more robust response to helping under-resourced populations with affordable, accessible therapy for everyday mental wellness challenges.

We know if we continue to pay attention to what The Centre for Women needs to thrive, the organization will in turn continue to live up to its promise and its full potential to empower, educate and elevate women and girls across Tampa Bay.

Our work continues to be possible thanks to the scores of donors, funders, volunteers and community partners. We hope you will follow the trends here as exciting changes are on the horizon!

Ann

TECO Presents Blues, BBQ & Elvis to Benefit the Centre for Women

The Gourmet Feastival has become a signature event in Tampa Bay, each year attracting about 1,000 food lovers who enjoy delicious samples from thirty-five of the area’s most popular eateries and beverage purveyors. The party begins with the VIP hour at 5 p.m. sponsored by Suncoast EV LLC Golf Carts/LSV. 4 Rivers Smokehouse is this year’s VIP Restaurant. They will be joined by ABC Fine Wines & Liquors and Cheese Please. The doors open at 6 p.m. for general admission.

Billy “Elvis” Lindsey, who is known as one of the best Elvis impersonators will provide the entertainment. This popular performer is a fan favorite and has sold-out shows wherever he goes.

10 Tampa Bay’s Miranda Parnell and Angelina Salcedo will emcee.

Ann W. Madsen, executive director of The Centre for Women, said: “Although we have been hosting this event for 31 years, I think this will be the most fun-filled yet. Everybody loves Elvis so we have already had a great response. This party supports our programs and services to empower, educate and elevate women and girls. Our mission is simply to help women succeed personally and professionally.”

Feastival Co-chairs Elizabeth Colon of Mercer Insurance and Tiffany Kleber of BayFirst Bank along with their enthusiastic committee have stirred up just the right ingredients for a memorable evening. Hundreds of unique items will be available in the Feastival’s highly anticipated silent auction including a Crown 4-person lithium battery golf cart provided by Suncoast EV.

VIP tickets: $100;

General Admission: $50.

Purchase online or at The Helen Gordon Davis Centre for Women, 305 South Hyde Park Avenue in Tampa; or order by phone, 813-251-8437 ext. 225.

There’s still time to

Sponsor The 2023 Gourmet Feastival.

Download our

Sponsorship Packet

Donate an item(s) to our Silent Auction

Download our Inkind Packet or contact Lindsay Seddon at 813-251-8437.

Contact

lseddon@thecentre.org

for more information.

Embracing the Aging Journey

Susan McIntyre, LCSW, Director of Counseling and Wellness

In addition to our robust Senior Home Improvement Program (SHIP), The Centre for Women helps older adults maintain a positive quality of life in other ways. Along with helping youth and adults, our Counseling and Wellness program includes the unique needs of seniors in our programming.

As you have surely read, Americans are getting older! Over 18% of our Florida population are considered seniors. The number of adults- ages 60 and older- requesting counseling has increased significantly. We frequently have seniors coming into our office and accessing tele-health for counseling sessions. Many of these clients are asking for professional support while coming to terms with new areas in their lives. Older adults are experiencing loss of a loved one, family estrangement, health concerns and transitions from a life lived into a new territory. We empower these individuals with the mindset “With aging you earn the right to be loyal to yourself” (F. McDormand).

Our counselors are also in community settings promoting mental wellness with older adults. We provide a support group at a senior living housing complex where members reminisce about the memories that offer meaning and purpose in their lives now. Counselors also conduct educational presentations on topics such as elder abuse, loneliness, forgiveness, and positivity, recognizing factors that are unique to our growing population of aging citizens. We had a lively webinar on The Third Act with older women identifying who they were, who they are now and who they will be “when they grow up”. Women’s empowerment never ages out!

One of the many traits that makes The Centre for Women a trusted gem for so many decades is our desire to serve our community across the life span. We embrace all ages and are here to walk alongside each person in their incredible journey.

How confidential is counseling at The Centre for Women? Does my private information get passed along to insurance companies?

The Cou nseling and Wellness program at The Centre for Women takes clients’ confidentiality very seriously. We provide a safe space where you can share private information with the utmost confidence in your counselor. We are not permitted to share your information unless you give us written permission to do so. The only exception to this would be if the safety of our clients or others is at risk and requires additional intervention. Since we do not accept insurance for session fees, there is no exchange of information with any insurance companies. Confidentiality is something you should discuss with a counselor to be sure you are at ease.

Susan McIntyre, Director of Counseling & Wellness, answers questions about mental wellness in her blog “Ask Susan Anything.” Do you have a question? Send any questions to smcintyre@thecentre.org.

Click here to view previous questions and answers.

Susan McIntyre, our Director of Counseling and Wellness, was hosted by Jamie Wingfield, with Impavid Wealth Advisors, at a North Tampa Women’s Grads group luncheon. Susan spoke with the women about the programs and services offered at The Centre for Women and promoted our upcoming Gourmet Feastival event on Sept. 21st. The Centre for Women greatly appreciates all the items this lively group donated for our programs.

Susan and Jamie (center back row) are pictured here with some of the group members.

Ann W. Madsen and Dr. Kerry Szymanski, Director of the Tampa Bay Women’s Business Centre, enjoyed the opportunity to reconnect with Melanie Griffin, Secretary of the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation. Secretary Griffin was the featured speaker at the recent South Tampa Chamber of Commerce luncheon at the Centre Club.

Maureen E. Famiano CEO, MEF Media LLC and Centre Executive Director Ann W. Madsen sampled some of the fine fare at Besito Mexican recently. Besitos is one of 35 restaurants participating in our upcoming Gourmet Feastival.

At the “Wellness Saturday” event downtown is our community partner, Audrey Serrano, with Tampa General Hospital’s TampaWell program and Chelsey Molina, counselor at The Centre for Women.

Dr. Kerry Szymanski, Director of our Tampa Bay Women’s Business Centre, was a featured panelist recently at the West Tampa Chamber of Commerce. She joined colleagues Lynn Kroesen, Manager of the Entrepreneur Collaborative Center, and Mario Rodriquez, Business Development Manager for CareerSource Tampa Bay to talk about opportunities available for aspiring entrepreneurs and small business owners. Jeannette LaRussa Fenton, Chamber Vice President and former Centre for Women Board member introduced the panel.