A resident of Nottingham, Beth Foss has spent her professional career as a social worker and currently serves as an operations director for a nonprofit organization. Due to the line of work Beth's husband, Bob, has been involved in, the Foss family has relocated several times over the years. Bob's profession took him and his family to Maryland, Texas, Minnesota twice, and Pennsylvania. The move to Pennsylvania happened six years ago, and they've been in Nottingham ever since.
Shortly after the Fosses settled into their new residence, Bob and Beth became empty nesters; both of their sons had moved out to start the next chapter in their lives. Because Bob frequently traveled for work, Beth spent a lot of time alone. "I had to figure out where my people were," she said. "I was patient trying to figure out what I was supposed to do." So, she decided to check out Wesley Church. Over the years, she's gotten more involved in the church, and she currently works as the director of congregational care.
Beth noted that she and other staff members had noticed that a lot of homeless women who needed food and financial assistance sought help from the church. After realizing there was a need in the community, Beth and a steering committee of three other women at Wesley Church developed a new, yearlong program, Women Empowering Women. The group will meet on the last Saturday of each month from 9 to 11 a.m. at Colerain Church, 1923 Noble Road, Kirkwood, with the next scheduled meeting on March 26.
The group aims to equip women with the tools to support, care for, and lead themselves and their families. Child care will be provided.
The specific issues that are addressed in the program were inspired by a woman Beth has been meeting with who needed some guidance. "Her struggles helped define what reflected the issues we had been seeing as a church," explained Beth.
On Feb. 26, 24 women attended the program's kickoff session, which had the topic "Personal Goal Setting - Dare to Dream!" Women filled out a color wheel, which illustrated their satisfaction rates in the categories of work, family, friends, spirituality, health, personal growth, money, and living environment. "A lot of women found that they are really out of balance," commented Beth. "It showed them where they want to put more time and effort." From there, the women set goals and prioritized and strategized ways to get to where they want to be.
"Sometimes, your soul is craving something more," said Beth. "This is a program and an opportunity for women who know they're not where they're supposed to be, but they don't know how to help themselves. Hopefully this group, these professionals, and this program give women encouragement, provide them with hope and support, and give them the tools to help them navigate these times."
To sign up, visit https://bit.ly/WomenEmpoweringWomenWC. For more information, email Beth at bfoss@wesleyqville.org.
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