U.S. Rep. Keating, Other Civic and Business Leaders Celebrate Opening of WE CAN's New Offices

WE CAN, together with U.S. and state officials, Harwich town representatives, business leaders, and community members celebrated the official opening of the organization's new offices at 783 Route 28, Harwich Port on January 25, 2013.

In brief remarks at the event, U.S. Congressman Bill Keating, Senator Dan Wolfe, a spokesperson for Representative Sarah Peake, and Cape Cod Five President and CEO Dorothy Savarese, among others, commented on the importance of the unique services that WE CAN provides.

WE CAN provides programs and services that empower Cape women of all ages to successfully navigate challenging life transitions such as career change, job loss, illness, divorce or retirement. The new facility will enable WE CAN to meet the growing demand for existing services and offer additional programs based on community needs.

"Now, in our 12th year, with this new space we are well-positioned to expand our services and value to the community," said WE CAN Executive Director Andi Genser.

"Our new handicapped-accessible office is a modest space that we know we will be able to maintain; yet it allows for growth and significantly improved service delivery including, especially, confidentiality for our many one-to-one services, such as Legal Consultations, Financial Empowerment sessions and Work Support meetings. And, we have greatly improved our visibility while maintaining our presence on a main road in Harwich Port, accessible, including by public transportation, from Falmouth to Provincetown.

"We are tremendously grateful to all of the men and women, including lawyers and finance professionals, who volunteer their time and talents, and the many individuals and local businesses who support us in so many ways."

The new home of WE CAN is located at
783 Route 28, Harwichport, MA 02646

508 430 8111 info@wecancenter.org

www.wecancenter.org/

Jacquie Scarbrough, who served as program director, career counselor, and grant writer at WE CAN from 2001-2008, recalls the humble home of WE CAN when it's doors first opened in 2000. "I remember in our first office there was no private space. In fact, we were in a storefront on the street! Then we moved upstairs, but a client's husband had to put a door on the one private space so the lawyers and I could meet with clients privately."

Jacquie was thrilled to attend to the ribbon cutting of the new home. "The new location adds so much more privacy, a room for workshops, offices for Mary and Andi, and space for volunteers to work," she says. "Now there are 6 private spaces that are so needed with the growth in numbers of clients, staff, and volunteers."

Speaking at the event, Cape Cod Five Cents Savings Bank CEO Dorothy Savarese said, "The Cape Cod Five is unquestionably committed to supporting the needs of the Cape and Islands Community. As part of that commitment, we are honored to support WE CAN, an outstanding organization that has helped foster independence and lasting positive change for so many Cape Cod women, their families, and the entire community."

Photographs by Katie O'Sullivan