"Like slavery and apartheid, poverty is not natural. It is man-made and can be overcome and eradicated by the actions of human beings." - Nelson Mandela
Creating Pathways to Economic Independence is the Driving Force of The SOFEI GroupThe economic instability of low-income and impoverished families weighs more heavily on the shoulders of women than men in today's society due to:
- Domestic Violence - Can push women into a cycle of poverty as a result of job loss, poor health, and homelessness (Source: www.cdc.gov);
- Divorce - Almost 50% of parents with children move into poverty after a divorce (Source: www.heritage.org);
- Low-wage Careers - Retail, hospitality, teaching, child care, and waitressing (Source: www.americanprogress.org);
- Primary Caregiving - Women are more likely than men to take time from work or decrease their work hours to provide 'unpaid' caregiving to their family members (e.g., children, elderly parents, or disabled, or their siblings children) (Source: www.urban.org and www.aauw.org);
- Sex Discrimination - Women are paid 77% of what men make - a 22% gap in average annual wages (Source: www.iwpr.org); and
- Unplanned/Unwanted Pregnancies - Impedes educational and employment opportunities when single mothers bear the cost of raising children alone (Source: www.americanprogress.org)
History
Deborah M. Avens founded The SOFEI Group (formerly known as Virtuous Enterprises, Inc.) in 1996. Aven's passion to launch The SOFEI Group grew out of her experience growing up in a low-income home headed by her widowed, disabled mother in Prince George's County, Maryland. At age five, Avens' mother was diagnosed with renal kidney failure and her father died of cancer when she was seven. The disability income Avens' mother received didn't meet basic living and medical expenses. And, Avens recalls spending many heatless winters; bathing with heated water from a hotplate, and going to bed with lettuce and mayonnaise sandwiches.
Avens' mother applied for public assistance to supplement the household income, and this is when Avens discovered the biased attitudes towards women on public assistance; sex discrimination against her mother in a male-dominated career; and sadly, domestic violence from her mother's boyfriend who occasionally helped pay the mortgage.
This life experience is the underlying fuel which gave Avens the notion that women-headed families needed resources and services to create economical stability and independence to avoid reliance of public assistance and abusive partners.
Talking about domestic violence or the inability to pay bills was taboo in Avens' community, so The SOFEI Group was launched to get women and girls to talk about their experiences through Biblical characters during home-based fellowships and newsletters. The fellowships were therapeutic because attendees were taught how to look within themselves to find answers to heal their wounded souls and spirits, and strength to conquer their external challenges. When the home-based fellowships outgrew the capacity of Avens' home, she realized women and girls needed access to spiritual, personal, and career enrichment services to achieve balanced and fulfilled lives and The SOFEI Group evolved from a support group to a nonprofit organization in 1999.
Mission To empower women of the Washington Region gain economic independence through education; training and development. This mission is accomplished through:
- Business Development Training & Coaching
- Online Training
- Professional Development Training
- Workforce Development Training
Vision
To serve as a hub for women to receive education and training that will foster economic growth and stability for themselves and their families.
Our Clients
The SOFEI Group was created to address the challenges women face in obtaining economic independence. Our 'core' clients are: Our Goals