WRC Volunteer Mike Filano
Mike is Manager of Catering for Business at Wawa, Inc. Mike began volunteering for WRC about two years ago, near the start of the pandemic. He is currently Co-Chair of Sponsorships for our Breakthrough Breakfast event committee and also serves on our Fund Development Committee.
Mike sums up his WHY he is involved in WRC.
“Sometimes the world is not set up to be fair. WRC is doing change that is good.”
Some more of Mike’s insights into his motivation to volunteer for WRC.
“I am surprised when I hear about some of the situations WRC clients are in. I realize that anyone can be put in these circumstances, and that it’s great to have someone to go to for assistance. I can see the impacts WRC makes when clients get into these situations. They are able to help someone get back on their feet.”
On our Girls Lead Program “I am hopeful when I see or hear stories about Girls Lead and the participants learning and developing with help to reach their goals. We need to spread this program out to as many girls as possible to make a positive impact on girls’ lives and help them reach their aspirations in life. As these girls reach goals in their life, they can inspire others.”
On WRC’s impact in the community “I am excited when I read stories how WRC can help specific clients. By helping these people, we are making an impact on their lives and other people’s lives – on the communities’ lives. With resources offered by WRC, we are helping more people, getting closer to our mission. It’s the right thing to do and sets a good example of helping those in need.”
Thank you, Mike, for your great involvement and your support!
WRC Volunteer Carmen Billups
Carmen Billups is Senior Tax Manager at KPMG. She began volunteering at WRC four years ago. She currently serves as Treasurer of our Board and Chair of our Finance Committee.
Carmen sums up her WHY he is involved in WRC.
“WRC is amazing in how they are helping women and the community. My mother suffered from financial abuse. WRC helps women get the resources they need to sustain a new life – my own mother didn’t have that option.”
On volunteering her time “As the sole provider for my family, I have a lot of help from my husband who is a stay-at-home dad; however, I have a demanding career and two small sons. Volunteering for an organization had to mean something because my time is precious and very limited.”
On her motivation for giving back “I was surprised when I learned about financial abuse and that I could connect it to my own story. During my childhood in Romania, my mother suffered from financial abuse from my father. While I couldn’t identify it, I realized that it was not how women should be treated. She was in a marriage she couldn’t leave – with three little kids, no real working skills and no support from family or church if she would divorce.
Financial abuse is often times coupled with emotional abuse: one is constantly told that she cannot make financial decisions, that she is not good enough to be trusted with the money, not responsible enough and she begins to think…maybe it’s true.
My parents learned how to work as a team after a lot of hardship, but my mother still struggles with the repercussions of those years. The WRC has resources to help women so they break free from abusive relationships. I feel privileged to know that by volunteering for WRC I can help other women who are suffering from financial abuse. My time makes a difference!”
Thank you, Carmen, for your deep commitment to WRC and to the community!
Meet Diane
Mom, Carpenter, WRC Client
“I went from being the wife of an addict to seeing myself as someone who could provide.”
