The Enactus Missouri State chapter received a $1,500 grant from the Walmart Women’s Economic Empowerment Project Partnership. The chapter was chosen to receive the grant because of their entrepreneurial initiatives with the Harmony House Family Violence Center, a local shelter that provides advocacy and education to survivors of domestic violence.

“Project Stand Up, Stand Out” is a program created by the Enactus Missouri State chapter to equip women at Harmony House with the skills and abilities that will help them apply for and retain jobs. Classes are taught by members of the Missouri State chapter and each lesson emphasizes the importance of interviewing etiquette, effective resume building, and resources to engage women with local jobs in the Springfield community.

This is the fifth consecutive year of the Walmart Women Economic Empowerment (WEE) Project Partnership in the US. In 2014, participating Enactus US chapters worked side-by-side with women to extend workforce training to ultimately obtain the skills necessary to succeed in the workforce.

During a WEE Milestone Meeting, CEO of Walmart Doug McMillon provided information on the importance of WEE, “Investing in women is a key to unlocking economic growth… 90% of a woman’s income is invested back into her family and her community . . . helping and investing in women means helping and investing in the whole world.”

Enactus is a community of student, academic and business leaders committed to using the power of entrepreneurial action to enable human progress. The organizations works to establish student programs on campuses across the nation. Enactus students apply business concepts to develop community outreach projects, transform lives and shape a better, more sustainable world. For information on the Missouri State Chapter visit https://missouristate.collegiatelink.net/organization/SIFE