(L-R) BPW HPE President, Jennifer May-Anderson and Reaching for Rainbows Executive Director, Emily Pennington

The Hastings and Prince Edward Business and Professional Women Club donated $500 to support Prince Edward County’s Reaching for Rainbows program.  BPW HPE President, Jennifer May-Anderson, says, “I was so pleased to be able to present this cheque on behalf our club.  BPW clubs across Canada and around the world work toward creating better lives for girls and women, and in this small way we are helping to empower girls in Prince Edward County.”

Reaching for Rainbows opened in 2010 to serve the community of Prince Edward County and the young girls and families that live there. It operates a play-based after-school program licensed by the Ministry of Education, to girls ages 6-9. The program focuses on building positive relationships, making healthy choices, and fostering a strong sense of self and belonging to help create resiliency.  The cheque presentation was held on February 10, 2022 at Reaching for Rainbows.

May-Anderson explains, “Each year our club holds a fundraiser that helps support the work our local club does and to help support another worthy local charity.  Supported charities are chosen by the membership.  Members of our club know the importance of building confidence and resiliency in girls that will help build a foundation for them for the rest of their lives.  That made it very easy for us to support Reaching for Rainbows.”

BPW HPE meetings are held virtually on the fourth Wednesday of the month where members and guests listen to inspiring and empowering presentations by local women.  These presentations inform and motivate participants to learn more or take action to improve the circumstances of women locally and around the globe.

Business and Professional Women Hastings and Prince Edward and aims to unite business and professional women locally, provincially, nationally, and internationally to work for women’s economic independence and equal opportunity and representation in economic, civil, and political life.  The group encourages and supports women and girls to develop their professional and leadership potential and to undertake lifelong education and training.  Business and Professional Women Clubs advocate for the elimination of all discrimination against women and for human rights and the use of gender-sensitive perspectives.  It is a diverse group of women working collectively toward common objectives for improving conditions for women.  Local virtual meetings are held on the second and fourth Wednesdays of the month.