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Our History
The Women’s Leadership Initiative officially kicked off in October of 2004 and has grown to over 60 dynamic members dedicated to Investing in the Youth in Our Community. When established, Women’s Leadership Initiative vowed to donate 100% of their membership dues to their beneficiary, The Whole Child Project Manatee. In May of 2005, these women presented their first check in the amount of $4500 to Whole Child. A second check was presented on November 15th, 2005 bringing the total amount donated to Whole Child Project Manatee to $9000. In addition to the financial support to the community, WLI recognized Women's History Month in March with a wonderful Luncheon, participated in the annual Children's Summit as well as provided wrapped gifts to 130 young girls to be used as gifts for their caregivers during the holiday season.
The year 2006 proved to be a year of continued growth for this group of dynamic ladies. WLI established a grants process for the distribution of their annual dues to ensure that all monies would be directed to programs that align with the mission of WLI; to Invest in the Youth in Our Community. That year, a youth-based program from both the Boys & Girls Clubs of Manatee County and the Whole Child Project were selected for funding that totaled $8000. After only 1 year of this grants process, WLI had reached a new milestone. In 2007, over 11 grant requests were made for an excess of $22,000! The following programs were selected for funding:
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American Red Cross Youth Corps - $2000
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Family Partnership Center TAPP Program - $1500
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Just for Girls Alternative Education Program - $1500
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Volunteer Manatee Books and Birthdays Program - $1450
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Woodland Community Church Non-Extreme Home Makeover - $1425
In 2008, the ladies of WLI continued to grow their membership through a Summer Membership Drive which resulted in a 20% increase in membership. The ladies also increased the number of networking opportunities for their members by creating a monthly networking event. These Networking Socials occur on the 1st Thursday of each month and are a great way to meet new people. In addition to all of this, the ladies were also able to fund the following grant requests through their membership dues:
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Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Suncoast -One to One Mentoring/Decisions to Win - $2000
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Manatee Comm. Action Agency-Home Instruction for Parents of Preschool Youngsters-$1500
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Manatee Education Foundation - Project Heart School Uniforms - $1200
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Family Partnership Center of Manatee Middle School Teenage Parenting Program - $600
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Jewish Family & Children's Services of Sarasota-Manatee- Middle School Tutoring - $600
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Manatee Chamber of Commerce Foundation-Financial Literacy 4 High School Students-$500
We fully anticipate that the needs of this community are growing in 2009 and the ladies of WLI are committed to the youth in Manatee County. Please consider positively impacting our youth by joining the Women's Leadership Initiative. | 
