May 21st, 2016

EMPOWER - THE IMMIGRANT WOMAN

Conference Schedule

Job Empowerment

Goal: 1. Help empower immigrant women by learning from various stakeholders from education institutions, employers, service providers, community & political leaders, state & city officials share information, programs and services they offer on: A. Building English Job Readiness learning skills and networks to enable economic security. B. Starting/Funding your own business.

Goal: 2. Help pair community honorees with business and professional mentors to Foster self-sufficiency and enable economic security growth.

Target Audience: The target population for the conference's Job Empowerment morning forum is immigrant women in the community who meet these characteristics: • Those with or without English language skills • With or without foreign certifications or education • With or without entrepreneurial skills (handy/crafty skills)

8:00 - 9:00 am

Registration/Vendor setup


9:00 - 11:00 am

Opening remarks/Introduction of Trailblazer Panelist: Women from various communities and High School girls share insight, lessons learned, and inspirational stories of empowerment, perseverance and wisdom.


*Introduction of Stakeholders Panelists for Q&A: Reps from various stakeholders from education institutions, employers, service providers, community & political leaders, state &city officials share information, programs and services they offer for immigrant women in Maine.


11:00 - 11:30 am

Introduction of Panelist Speakers: Getting Started – Getting Employment Ready

This session would provide a guide to steps in helping one get settled and ready for employment; an overview of the American work system; job skills classes available in the community, learning English, and turning foreign certification/ work experience in marketable skills and or American certification.


11:30 - 12:00 Noon

Introduction of Panelist Speakers: Getting Settled - Starting Your Own Business/Business Mentorship

This session will be conducted in collaboration with a successful entrepreneur. Talking about the steps they took to start their own business, the challenges and the success; how women can succeed with limited English language and marketable skills;overcoming business/life challenge & barriers.


12:00 - 3:00 pm

Create Networks: Networking & visiting with service providers


3:00 pm

Create Networks ends/Reminder of the Evening’s Gala



Evening Gala

Honoring Community Leaders

Goal: To honor the women in our immigrant communities who have lead us and inspired us.

4:00 - 6:00 pm Registration & Vendor Setup

6:00 - 9:00 pm Vendor Exhibits

6:00 - 6:30 pm "Step and Repeat" Red Carpet & Light Drinks

6:30 - 6:40 pm Welcome

6:40 - 7:00 pm Entertainment

7:00 - 8:25 pm Introduction of Honorees & Video Profiles

*Recognition of Honorees

8:00 - 9:00 pm Keynote Speaker

9:00 - 10:00 pm Food/Entertainment