Women United is a dynamic network of women who believe that when women come together, incredible things happen. As an affinity group of United Way of Lewis County, Women United brings together passionate women who invest their time, talents, voices, and resources to create lasting change for local families.
We believe that strong communities begin with strong women. By empowering women to lead, volunteer, advocate, and give, we are creating opportunities for children to thrive, families to achieve financial stability, and neighbors to build brighter futures throughout Lewis County.
Women United is more than a volunteer group—it's a community of changemakers. Our members are professionals, business leaders, entrepreneurs, mothers, retirees, and community advocates who share a common belief that every person deserves the opportunity to succeed. Together, we learn about the most pressing challenges facing our community, build meaningful relationships, and take action through hands-on service, philanthropy, and leadership.
As part of United Way of Lewis County, Women United supports initiatives that strengthen our community by improving opportunities for children and families, advancing financial security, promoting healthy communities, and building community resilience. Whether we're mentoring individuals on their path to financial stability, supporting early childhood literacy, providing essential hygiene supplies to local students, collecting coats to help families stay warm, or empowering job seekers through the Career Closet in partnership with Visiting Nurses Foundation, our members are making a meaningful impact where it matters most—right here at home.
Diversity and Inclusion
Women United and United Way of Lewis County strive to be a model of equity, diversity and inclusion, with our Board of Directors, staff and volunteers reflecting the many faces, cultures and walks of life that make up the Lewis County community. We respect, value, and celebrate the unique attributes, characteristics and perspectives that make each person who they are. We also believe that bringing diverse individuals together allows us to collectively and more effectively address the issues that face our communities. It is our aim, therefore, that our partners, strategies, and investments reflect these core values.
Women United's Financial Mentorship Initiative
Women United is committed to positively impacting the lives of women and children by encouraging self-sufficiency and empowerment. Our new Financial Mentorship Initiative brings bankers with financial expertise, directly to the people who need it the most through nonprofit and community-based partnerships.
By pairing bankers with financial acumen with community members who desire financial guidance, the opportunity to share information about how to engage in the banking system safely and successfully is enhanced. This moves people away from alternative services that are often predatory, such as payday loans, rent-to-own agreements, refund anticipation loans, pawn shops and non-bank money order and check cashing.
The Financial Mentorship Initiative is a 4-week program designed to meet clients individually at the level of financial guidance needed. The goal is for individuals to successfully move through the program with strategies and tools necessary to attain financial freedom.
- To enroll in the Financial Mentorship Initiative, please CLICK HERE to download an application and return it to United Way of Lewis County.
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- CLICK HERE to fill out the application online.
Through Women United, the Healthy Hygiene Initiative is helping ensure local middle school students have access to the basic hygiene essentials they need to feel healthy, confident, and ready to learn.
The initiative provides schools throughout Lewis County with hygiene supplies such as shampoo, conditioner, deodorant, toothpaste, toothbrushes, soap, and other personal care items, along with essential menstrual products for students experiencing period poverty.
For too many young people, the inability to access these everyday necessities can lead to embarrassment, anxiety, lower self-confidence, and even missed days of school. Menstrual health is a particularly significant challenge. Research shows that approximately 1 in 4 students who menstruate have struggled to afford period products, and many report missing class, leaving school early, or being unable to fully participate in school activities because they lacked access to the supplies they needed.
Middle school is a pivotal time in a young person's development. By ensuring students have reliable access to hygiene and menstrual products, we can help remove barriers to learning, improve school attendance, support emotional well-being, and allow students to focus on what matters most—their education and future.
The Healthy Hygiene Initiative is about more than providing supplies. It's about restoring dignity, building confidence, and ensuring every student has the opportunity to succeed, regardless of their family's financial circumstances.
Together, Women United members, donors, and community partners are helping create healthier, more supportive schools where every student can learn with confidence. For more information on Period Poverty visit, Home - Alliance for Period Supplies.
How can you help?
- Drop off essential hygiene and period supplies to United Way of Lewis County at 450 NW Pacific Ave., Chehalis, WA. 98532.
- Pads/Tampons
- New underwear
- New sweatpants/shorts
- Deodorant
- Toothbrush/toothpaste
- Shampoo/conditioner
- Body wash/soap
- Cleansing wipes
- Shop online for supplies by visiting this Amazon Wishlist and have your donations directly shipped to the United Way office.
- Make a donation to Women United's Healthy Hygiene program by CLICKING HERE and noting "Women United Healthy Hygiene" in the contribution note box.
The Career Closet is a collaborative initiative of Women United and the Visiting Nurses Foundation that helps individuals confidently prepare to enter or re-enter the workforce by providing professional attire for job interviews, the first days of employment, and other career opportunities.
For many job seekers, the cost of appropriate clothing can be an unexpected barrier to employment. A well-fitting outfit can do more than make a positive first impression—it can boost confidence, reinforce self-worth, and help individuals feel prepared to succeed as they begin a new chapter.
Through referrals from local employment specialists and community partners, eligible participants receive personalized assistance selecting professional clothing and accessories that fit their style, workplace needs, and career goals. Whether preparing for an interview, starting a new job, or returning to the workforce after a period of transition, the Career Closet helps remove one more obstacle on the path to employment.
How can you help?
The success of the Career Closet is made possible through the generosity of our community. You can help empower local job seekers by donating new or gently used professional clothing, shoes, handbags, and accessories at any Visiting Nurses Thrift Store during regular business hours.
Your donations provide more than interview attire—they help build confidence, create opportunity, and give individuals the support they need as they take the next step toward meaningful employment.
Businesses and community organizations can also make a difference by partnering with Women United to promote the Career Closet, host clothing drives, or serve as collection sites for donations. Together, we can ensure that every individual has the opportunity to make a great first impression and begin their career journey with confidence.
To learn more about donating, becoming a community partner, or supporting the Career Closet, please contact United Way of Lewis County. We'd love to partner with you in helping our neighbors succeed.
WHY ENGAGE WITH WOMEN UNITED?
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Be a part of a group of like-minded women who are passionate about positively impacting with lives of women and children living in poverty in Lewis County.
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Volunteer with United Way and other community programs that empower and support women and children.
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Learn more about critical issues impacting our community.
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Collaborate, connect, and gain support from other women leaders in Lewis County.
Sign up below to learn more about how you can get involved and give back to your community!
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