Twenty women overcoming domestic violence, homelessness, and trauma – sometimes all three – became part of a milestone graduation.
The “Leap to Confidence” program celebrated its 50th graduation ceremony on Wednesday, December 12 in East Village, San Diego. Leap to Confidence is a personal leadership workshop offered at no cost to women emerging from major life challenges to help them reach their greatest potential.
Dani Ruberti of KUSI TV of San Diego visited the 50th graduation and talked with founder Dana Bristol-Smith and program instructors Mariel Cota and LaKesha Sexton.
“Women in transition, especially those coming out of domestic abuse, addiction, and homelessness, need to know that they can start over and make new choices,” said Dana Bristol-Smith, founder of Leap to Success. “They also need to know that there is support to help them create positive futures—no matter what they’ve experienced in the past.”
Funds from the Cushman Foundation Making a Difference for San Diego initiative sponsored San Diego women to attend the seven-week program, including follow-on monthly support to begin after graduation.
By participating in the transformative Leap to Confidence, women are gaining:
- Increased confidence and improved resilience;
- Cultivation of personal leadership skills;
- New relationships with potential employers;
- Tools and skills to create healthy relationships for their families.
Women were referred by 13 partner agencies including:
- County of San Diego – Maternal Child Health
- District Attorney’s Office – Homeless Services
- Family Health Centers of San Diego
- Father Joe’s Villages
- Goodwill Industries of San Diego County
- North Central Women’s Recovery Center
- Rachel’s Women’s Center
- San Diego Family Care
- San Diego Housing Commission
- San Diego Rescue Mission
- Step Forward
- Urban League of San Diego County
After graduating, these women will walk away with higher self-esteem and renewed confidence in their abilities. They will set goals for their next steps towards education or employment and know that they have the self-worth and capacity to achieve them, along with specific skills to support their goals and allow them to leave a troubled past behind.
About Leap to Success
Our mission is to educate and empower women who are overcoming domestic violence, homelessness and other major challenges to reach their greatest potential. Leap to Success became a 501(c) 3 not for profit organization in 2013 and is based in Carlsbad, California.
