Investing in the future! That is the theme for the 2025 graduates of Denver’s Women’s Bean Project. All of the women finishing this transitional employment program offered to women who for whatever reason are chronically unemployed. As Christine told me… “When I found the Woman’s Bean Project, I was stuck in a little rut of not working for about a year… well, maybe a couple years.” Espy shared with me that she was nervous when she took a chance with an application to Women’s Bean Project. “I got my in-person interview and there were a lot of girls here, and it was a lot of competition,” Espy said. “And then, when they called me and gave me a job offer, I was excited because I knew that it was gonna start something for me. Things have been great and they’ve progressed significantly.” Bri carries the same grateful sentiment: “I definitely don’t think about, just a paycheck. It’s, it’s way more than a paycheck.”
I am fortunate to have spent some time with Christine, Espy and Bri. Each of them have put in the hard work, pushed back the challenges and doubts that have plagued them from their pasts, and are refocusing their lives with the shared goals of stability and happiness. The realizations that they could indeed transform their lives happened in the supportive environment of Women’s Bean Project.
Their stories filled the 2025 video for the Ready Set Grow Graduation and Fundraising luncheon.
“The fact that I am taking little steps to build my future will help me succeed in my future,'” Espy told me proudly. “There were a lot of times when I wasn’t feeling patient and I wanted to give up. I didn’t have housing. I didn’t want to be in a shelter. I didn’t want to come to work. And, I just knew that I needed to be patient and things would look up.” Espy is confident know but clearly she had a lot of doubts but what kept her focused on the future was the opportunity to move into a place of her own with her three children.
Bri also has two boys and they were very much her focus while learning and growing at Women’s Bean Project. Shortly after joining, Bri was promoted to a lead production manager, focusing mostly on shipping. She recalls how hectic it was during the holiday shipping season and said how being responsible during that busy time made her more accountable. She loves the routine she’s developed for her life and most importantly, for her sons. “I have been putting in a lot of hard work to, you know, not only get them back, but to move forward with my life, their lives, and be reunited and have good things happen going forward.”
Christine is also a single mother who is thrilled to be living with and supporting her 9-year-old daughter. Christine was her daughter’s age.. NINE.. when she started using alcohol and drugs, as she was following in her mother’s footsteps, assuming that was what she was supposed to do. “I don’t want her to follow in the bad footsteps that I took… she’s seen me at my lowest and she’s seen me at my highest and she knows right from wrong. If I’m excelling in my job, she wants to excel in school.” Christine is happy, thrilled to be reunited with nearby family and confident about being self-sufficient and grateful to be able to help other women, like Women’s Bean Project helped her.
These three women along with current employees and past gradates meet and feel supported by the larger community at Ready Set Grow. This is by far the largest fundraiser of the year for Women’s Bean Project and it’s a day when the production line comes to a halt so that the women can come together and celebrate their accomplishments.
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