Written by: Judi Snell – Women and Youth Advancement Inc (WOYA)
Imagine a world where Maria (a hypothetical woman) from a marginalized community exists — not just as one of many, but as someone we are actively searching for. Maria, like so many women, has faced countless barriers — social, economic, and personal. She’s been told what she can’t do, what she isn’t capable of. She has lived in a society braced in limitations, facing a lack of access to opportunities. But now, at WOYA, we’re reimagining the future. We’re embarking on a journey to discover what’s possible with our hypothetical “Maria.” Ready?
Meet Maria, a 32-year-old woman from a marginalized community. For years, she felt like a number, lost in the system, battling to make ends meet while shouldering the weight of societal judgment. She has faced the harsh realities of gender-based violence and the limitations imposed on her simply because of her background as a member of the BIPOC community. Like many women in her position, Maria was stuck — unable to break the cycle of poverty, unemployment, and trauma.
But in today’s future, Maria’s story is different. Thanks to Women and Youth Advancement Inc. (WOYA), Maria joined a Teen Seminal Circle years ago, a place where teen girls from marginalized communities gather to share their struggles without fear of judgment, find support, and build a blueprint for their futures. There, teen Maria learned the power of her thoughts and how to channel them into a foundation for change, beyond the limitations of her underserved community. She discovered the strength within her to overcome mental, emotional, gender-based, and societal obstacles.
Through WOYA’s Pathways to Empowerment, Maria received small business training that, unlike any other program, incorporated Collaborative AI tools designed to simplify and streamline the processes she once found daunting. As a single mother, managing time and finances was always a challenge, but now, she had access to business tools that made it possible to innovate and thrive with far fewer financial burdens.
Because one of the cornerstones of WOYA’s Pathways program is its strategic partnership with ADAMftd. Through this collaboration, WOYA is able to offer its network members, like Maria, free access to tools and resources that further support their entrepreneurial journeys. These resources help refine business models, expand networks, and understand complex issues like tariffs and tax regulations, all while maintaining compliance and transparency. By leveraging ADAMftd’s Essentials Plan, Maria can focus on building her business without being bogged down by unnecessary complexity. The integration of AI within the platform has also been transformative, offering operational support that helps overcome challenges and unlock opportunities for innovation and growth.
Through ADAMftd, Maria learned how to map her supply chain, generate qualified leads, and, most importantly, ensure compliance with industry regulations.
Imagine Maria now, since becoming an adult, she’s been in a supportive environment with the Beautiful Wings Project where she receives non-clinical mental wellness support to strengthen her inner resilience and a peer network that champions her every step of the way.
For Maria, this whole process of life hasn’t just been about building a business; it was about reclaiming her power, overcoming her fears, and stepping into her role as a changemaker. The mental health support offered within WOYA’s circles and the empowerment training she received have given her the tools to manage stress, build resilience, and ultimately pave the way to success — on her own terms.
Her journey is a testament to the transformative power of support, mental wellness and business empowerment. Now, Maria is not only leading a successful small business but is also part of a broader movement of women who are transforming their communities. She is connected with other changemakers in WOYA’s Partnerships for Empowerment(P2E) coalition and circles, where collaboration and mentorship are the backbone of their collective success.
Like many women in marginalized communities, Maria had dreams that often felt too far away. The world seemed designed for those with more resources, education, and connections. But she had refused to let those barriers define her future. One thing she learned early on was the power of thought and support — whether from family, friends, or programs that provided guidance and resources. In her case, this support came from WOYA’s Teen Seminal Circles, Beautiful Wings Project, Pathways, P2E and ADAMftd — within a community of women and youth bound together by the desire to break free from the chains of societal exclusion and disparities.
Maria’s not like everyone else because we’re not looking for just anyone — we’re searching for women like Maria. Women who are ready to redefine their futures and unlock the full potential that lies within.
At WOYA, we don’t just provide programs. We are creating and pioneering a movement — a community. We believe in the power of transformation through holistic innovation, mental health support, and collaboration. Together, with real women like our hypothetical Maria, we aim to discover what’s possible.
Are you ready to join us? Let’s pioneer this journey of collaborative empowerment together.
Contact Information:
Women and Youth Advancement Inc (WOYA)
Judi Snell – President
Email: connect@woyacentral.org
Website: www.woyacentral.org
Discover top stories in supply chain logistics news on The Supply Chain Report. For free tools related to international trade, visit ADAMftd.com.
#Empowerment #CollaborativeAI #WomensLeadership #MentalWellness #WOYAImpact #ADAMftd #Smallbusiness #support #ai
