Sisters women learn about life's transitions

Life is filled with transition. Whether it be changing jobs, moving to a new area, experiencing marriage or divorce, having a baby, adjusting to the loss of a loved one or family pet, encountering retirement or dealing with the reality of turning 40 or 50 or 60, the event can be challenging and stressful.

Helping women in any stage of transition is one of the goals of the Women's Resource Center of Central Oregon (WRCCO), a 501c3 non-profit organization that "provides services to enhance personal and professional development for women."

One of those services is a six-week course for women, "Life Transitions I." Starting on Wednesday, April 9, at 6:30 p.m., the class will be offered in Sisters. Each week's session will consist of a two-hour class and a one-and-a-half-hour support group gathering.

The course is geared to all women experiencing transition in whatever form.

"It is for all of us," said WRCCO founder Carolyn Esky, who will be teaching the class in Sisters. "The class is an opportunity for anyone to get very clear about where they are in their lives and where they want to go. It provides a great foundation for hope in the future that builds on one's ability to move forward without being dependent upon anybody else.'

Through the class women recognize their strengths and abilities. They define their values, wants and needs.

"For the individual it's the opportunity to get clear about the steps they can take to make their lives meaningful and hopeful and exciting," Esky said. "It's self-sufficiency, not just financially but emotionally, spiritually, physically. It's not that we're totally independent from our needs to support each other but that we're real clear about what we can do to make things happen."

Several partners are helping WRCCO bring the class to Sisters. Sisters Community Church is providing the classroom, and both the Sisters Kiwanis Club and Sisters Episcopal Church of the Transfiguration have donated funds to provide scholarships to any woman who desires to take the course but is unable to pay the $200 tuition fee.

The desire to organize "Life Transitions I" in Sisters evolved after the daughter of Sisters Kiwanis member Bobbi McGinn took the class in Bend. According to Esky, McGinn's daughter found the class so powerful that McGinn wanted to bring the program to Sisters. Last May, Esky spoke to the Kiwanis club about the class, and the club agreed to support the project. In turn, the Kiwanians sought the assistance of the Church of the Transfiguration to additionally help with scholarship funds.

According to Esky, the Roundhouse Foundation is also providing funds for advertising and travel expenses for the instructor and facilitator, as well as scholarships.

"Our goal is that anybody who has a financial need is not restricted in any way from taking the class. In essence, if someone wants to take the class, we ask if they can pay to help us to move forward in offering other classes," said Esky, noting that if they are unable to pay, scholarship funds are available.

Class size is limited to eight or nine. Currently, three spaces have not been filled. If demand is great Esky will organize an additional class to insure a spot for any woman who wants to take the class.

For more information about the class and/or scholarship guidelines, contact Esky directly at 382-3212 or Nancy Butler at WRCCO at 385-0750.