How many women's programs resources are in Connecticut?

Women's Corner tracks 16 women's programs resources for women in Connecticut.

Are women's programs resources in Connecticut free?

16 of the 16 listed women's programs resources in Connecticut are explicitly free or low-cost.

Which cities in Connecticut have women's programs resources?

Listings span cities including Hartford, Stamford, Hamden, New Haven.

What are some examples of women's programs resources in Connecticut?

Featured entries include Connecticut Permanent Commission on the Status of Women, YWCA Hartford Region, Women's Business Development Council, Connecticut Women's Consortium, Dress for Success — New Haven.

Do these listings include phone numbers?

8 of 16 Connecticut women's programs listings include phone numbers.

What do women's empowerment programs actually offer?

Most combine peer support groups, financial literacy and credit-building classes, job training, GED prep, leadership development, and help navigating benefits and legal systems. Many include free childcare during sessions. Programs like Dress for Success, Bottomless Closet, and YWCA chapters serve women rebuilding after divorce, abuse, or job loss.

Are there programs for single moms specifically?

Yes. The Life of a Single Mom (TLSM) operates in 30+ states with peer groups and crisis grants. Helping Hands for Single Moms funds college for single mothers. Modest Needs gives short-term emergency grants. Many United Way 211 calls connect single mothers to local single-mom funds for rent, car repair, or childcare.

Do these programs cost money?

Almost all empowerment programs are free for income-qualifying women, often funded through HHS Office of Family Assistance, state TANF dollars, or private foundations. Many include free meals, transportation stipends, and childcare. Bring ID, proof of income, and any benefits letters when you enroll.

Can I get help starting a business as a woman?

Yes. The SBA's Office of Women's Business Ownership funds 140+ Women's Business Centers nationwide offering free training, mentorship, and loan readiness. SCORE provides free women-mentor pairings. Grants like the Amber Grant ($10,000/month) and Cartier Women's Initiative target women founders. Many states have additional women-owned business certifications that unlock contracts.

Best Women's Programs in Connecticut — 16 resources

About Women's Programs for Women

Women's empowerment programs in the US are funded through a mix of federal grants (Office on Women's Health, Women's Bureau at the Department of Labor, WANTO grants for nontraditional trades) and nonprofit networks like the YWCA, AAUW, and the National Council of Women's Organizations. Services typically include leadership development, financial literacy, entrepreneurship through SBA Women's Business Centers (WBCs), and peer support groups. Dress for Success outfits women re-entering the workforce, and Bottomless Closet and Step Up Network mentor low-income women. State-level women's commissions advocate on policy and refer to local providers. This directory aggregates WBCs, YWCAs, women's commissions, and empowerment nonprofits.

Women's Programs in Connecticut

Connecticut's Superior Court handles family matters through regional Judicial Districts and Family Support Magistrate Division locations. The Office of Child Support Services runs enforcement under DSS. Hartford, New Haven, Stamford, Bridgeport, and Waterbury are the largest cities. Connecticut Legal Services, Statewide Legal Services, and the Connecticut Coalition Against Domestic Violence (CCADV) serve women.

16 Resources

1. Connecticut Permanent Commission on the Status of Women — Free

The Permanent Commission on Women, Children, Seniors, Equity and Opportunity at 18-20 Trinity Street in the Hartford Capitol complex advises the legislature on policy affecting Connecticut women. Email pcsw@cga.ct.gov or call 860-240-8300 weekdays 9am to 5pm to testify on bills or request data.

860-240-8300 · 18-20 Trinity St, Hartford, CT 06106 · Mon-Fri 9am-5pm · Visit Website

2. YWCA Hartford Region — Free

YWCA Hartford at 135 Broad Street runs Sister to Sister mentoring, financial-empowerment workshops, and racial-justice programming serving women across north-central Connecticut. Call 860-525-1163 weekdays 9am to 5pm or stop by the Broad Street center to register for current programs.

860-525-1163 · 135 Broad St, Hartford, CT 06105 · Mon-Fri 9am-5pm · Visit Website

3. Women's Business Development Council — Free

WBDC at 2 Landmark Square in Stamford trains and finances women starting or scaling businesses across all eight Connecticut counties, with satellite offices in New Haven, Waterbury, and New London. Call 203-353-1750 weekdays to register for free classes or a one-on-one advising session.

203-353-1750 · 2 Landmark Sq Suite 225, Stamford, CT 06901 · Mon-Fri 9am-5pm · Visit Website

4. Connecticut Women's Consortium — Free

The Connecticut Women's Consortium at 2321 Whitney Avenue in Hamden trains behavioral-health and human-services providers in trauma-informed, gender-responsive care. Women in recovery, mental health treatment, or DV programs benefit indirectly through the providers the consortium certifies. Call 860-236-6399 weekdays.

860-236-6399 · 2321 Whitney Ave Suite 401, Hamden, CT 06518 · Mon-Fri 9am-5pm · Visit Website

5. Dress for Success — New Haven — Free

Dress for Success Mid-Fairfield County at 78 Elm Street in New Haven outfits women going on job interviews with professional attire and pairs each client with career-development workshops. Referral required from a partner agency. Call 203-787-2800 weekdays 9am to 5pm to learn the referral process.

203-787-2800 · 78 Elm St, New Haven, CT 06510 · Mon-Fri 9am-5pm · Visit Website

6. Junior League of Hartford — Free

The Junior League of Hartford, headquartered at 60 Connolly Parkway in Hamden, trains women in nonprofit leadership while funding community projects on diaper need, foster youth, and childhood literacy in the Hartford region. Call 860-521-5765 weekdays to apply for membership or partner programs.

860-521-5765 · 60 Connolly Pkwy, Hamden, CT 06514 · Mon-Fri 9am-5pm · Visit Website

7. Connecticut Women's Education and Legal Fund (CWEALF) — Free

CWEALF at 75 Charter Oak Avenue in Hartford provides legal information, advocacy, and self-help materials on workplace discrimination, pay equity, and reproductive rights affecting Connecticut women. Call 860-247-6090 weekdays 9am to 5pm for information referral.

860-247-6090 · 75 Charter Oak Ave Suite 1-300, Hartford, CT 06106 · Mon-Fri 9am-5pm

8. Girls Inc. of Western Connecticut — Free

Girls Inc. of Southwestern Connecticut at 84 Strawberry Hill Avenue in Stamford runs after-school and summer programming on STEM, financial literacy, and healthy relationships for girls 5-18 in Fairfield County. Call 203-838-6672 between 8am and 6pm weekdays to enroll a daughter.

203-838-6672 · 84 Strawberry Hill Ave, Stamford, CT 06902 · Mon-Fri 8am-6pm

9. AAUW — American Association of University Women — Free

AAUW has active branches in Hartford, New Haven, Stamford, Waterbury, and other Connecticut cities offering scholarships, salary-negotiation workshops, and advocacy on Title IX and pay equity. The national site links to CT branch contacts and upcoming local events.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

10. National Organization for Women (NOW) — Free

Connecticut NOW chapters operate in greater Hartford and elsewhere, organizing on reproductive rights, equal pay, and political representation for women. The national site lists current CT chapter contacts and action alerts.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

11. League of Women Voters — Free

The League of Women Voters of Connecticut and dozens of local leagues register voters, publish nonpartisan voter guides for every CT election, and host candidate forums in cities from Greenwich to Norwich. Local leagues welcome new women members year-round.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

12. YWCA USA — Free

YWCA USA's site maps all six Connecticut YWCAs — Hartford, Greenwich, New Britain, New Haven, Meriden-Wallingford, and Hartford Region — each offering housing, childcare, racial-justice programming, and in some sites DV services.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

13. Women's Funding Network — Free

The Women's Funding Network includes the Connecticut Women's Hall of Fame and the Hartford Foundation's Women's Initiative as members. Connecticut women's organizations apply through WFN's grant network for targeted funding on economic security and safety.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

14. Junior League — Free

The Association of Junior Leagues International coordinates eight Junior League chapters in Connecticut — Hartford, Stamford-Norwalk, Greenwich, Bridgeport, Waterbury, New Haven, Eastern Fairfield County, and the Hartford suburbs — all training women community leaders.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

15. Soroptimist International — Free

Soroptimist clubs in Hartford, New Haven, Greater Bridgeport, and other Connecticut towns award Live Your Dream education grants to women supporting families and pursuing schooling. The international site links to active CT clubs and award deadlines.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

16. Zonta International — Free

Zonta clubs in Manchester, New Britain, the Farmington Valley, and elsewhere in Connecticut fund women's scholarships, advocate against child marriage, and partner with CT domestic-violence programs. The international site maps active CT clubs.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

Frequently Asked

How many women's programs resources are in Connecticut?: Women's Corner tracks 16 women's programs resources for women in Connecticut.
Are women's programs resources in Connecticut free?: 16 of the 16 listed women's programs resources in Connecticut are explicitly free or low-cost.
Which cities in Connecticut have women's programs resources?: Listings span cities including Hartford, Stamford, Hamden, New Haven.
What are some examples of women's programs resources in Connecticut?: Featured entries include Connecticut Permanent Commission on the Status of Women, YWCA Hartford Region, Women's Business Development Council, Connecticut Women's Consortium, Dress for Success — New Haven.
Do these listings include phone numbers?: 8 of 16 Connecticut women's programs listings include phone numbers.
What do women's empowerment programs actually offer?: Most combine peer support groups, financial literacy and credit-building classes, job training, GED prep, leadership development, and help navigating benefits and legal systems. Many include free childcare during sessions. Programs like Dress for Success, Bottomless Closet, and YWCA chapters serve women rebuilding after divorce, abuse, or job loss.
Are there programs for single moms specifically?: Yes. The Life of a Single Mom (TLSM) operates in 30+ states with peer groups and crisis grants. Helping Hands for Single Moms funds college for single mothers. Modest Needs gives short-term emergency grants. Many United Way 211 calls connect single mothers to local single-mom funds for rent, car repair, or childcare.
Do these programs cost money?: Almost all empowerment programs are free for income-qualifying women, often funded through HHS Office of Family Assistance, state TANF dollars, or private foundations. Many include free meals, transportation stipends, and childcare. Bring ID, proof of income, and any benefits letters when you enroll.
Can I get help starting a business as a woman?: Yes. The SBA's Office of Women's Business Ownership funds 140+ Women's Business Centers nationwide offering free training, mentorship, and loan readiness. SCORE provides free women-mentor pairings. Grants like the Amber Grant (
0,000/month) and Cartier Women's Initiative target women founders. Many states have additional women-owned business certifications that unlock contracts.