Meet Rocio Solar

“I am more confident because I was able to go back to work doing something that I enjoy”

Rocio Solar’s journey with Women’s Mentoring Network began when a friend recommended the Strategic Life Skills Workshops. Rocio found herself drawn to the supportive community and valuable resources offered by the organization, even though she wasn’t actively seeking to enter the workforce at the time. For 17 years, she dedicated herself to being a full-time mom while providing support to her husband’s contracting business. Throughout the years, Rocio remained involved with the organization by volunteering for the food pantry and various events. 

The impact of the Women’s Mentoring Network became profoundly evident when Rocio faced the challenge of updating her resume after years of being out of the workforce. “I remained in contact with the organization for years, but when I needed help with my resume, I received prompt, professional advice putting it together. As an immigrant, there was (and sometimes there still is) information that is brand new to me.” Rocio credits Lana, Tasha, and Pilar for helping to craft a more marketable resume and cover letter, as well as for providing invaluable coaching on interview skills.

Expressing her gratitude, Rocio extended heartfelt thanks to the dedicated staff and volunteers who make the programs possible. “I am immensely thankful for the unwavering support I’ve received,” she emphasizes. “I feel incredibly fortunate to have these remarkable women by my side,” Rocio adds gratefully. With the support and guidance from Women’s Mentoring Network, she overcame obstacles and experienced personal growth, gaining confidence in her ability to pursue work that she enjoys. “I am more confident because I was able to go back to work doing something that I enjoy,” she acknowledges.

Rocio envisions continuing to benefit from the organization’s support, particularly through their workshops, as she navigates her new career path. For other women facing similar challenges, Rocio offers practical advice: “Make time to keep learning and stay updated with the tools and software that are used everywhere.”

“We are very lucky to have a unique organization like Women’s Mentoring Network that supports families in so many different ways,” Rocio concludes leaving a message of gratitude and encouragement for the community and readers. 

Chanel Ramirez

“Women’s Mentoring Network has been one of the greatest blessings in my life and for my family. They are always willing to help and treat you like family, regardless of where you come from.”

Chanel Ramirez, a single mother of two boys, made the courageous decision to relocate to Stamford, CT, amidst the uncertainties of the pandemic. Originally from New York, Chanel wanted to pursue a brighter future for her family. Struggling to navigate her new surroundings, she found herself in need of guidance. It was during this time that Chanel approached a stranger in the supermarket, seeking advice. Little did she know, this chance encounter would lead her to Women’s Mentoring Network!

Before finding our organization, Chanel faced significant challenges as a newcomer to Stamford, lacking familial and social support. “Women’s Mentoring Network became my guiding light in this new territory” Chanel explains. Since joining our organization, Chanel has been able to utilize a range of services for her family, from computer classes and the food pantry to programs for her son and invaluable job-seeking assistance. It was the latter that proved most crucial, providing Chanel with the skills and confidence to secure employment and provide for her family.

Through participation in our programs, Chanel not only gained valuable skills but also found a supportive community that embraced her family with open arms, treating them as their own. Her advice to others facing similar challenges is simple: “Lean on the people and services that Women’s Mentoring Network offers, and trust in the supportive community that awaits.”

Reflecting on her journey, Chanel recalls a poignant moment when Tasha, Client Services and Program Director at Women’s Mentoring Network, went above and beyond to assist her with job applications, even while tending to her sick child at home. “I am extremely grateful to Tasha, Lana, and Pilar for all of the work that they do. These acts of kindness and dedication are representative of the spirit of the organization” Chanel says.

For Chanel, Women’s Mentoring Network has been a lifeline, offering invaluable assistance and a sense of belonging in her new home. Her story is a testament to the transformative power of community support that we offer and the resilience of the human spirit.

Donated Computers Fulfill the Need for Members of Women’s Mentoring Network