Our Story
The O’Dell Women’s Center is a philanthropic initiative inspired by life-long Western Massachusetts resident Constance “Connie” O’Dell. Connie faithfully served more than 40 years as Maternity Nurse at Holyoke’s Providence Hospital, where she compassionately and respectfully cared for thousands of Western Mass Women and their newborn babies. The O’Dell Women’s Center will continue Connie’s legacy of respectful and compassionate service to future generations of women in the greater Springfield area.
The O’Dell Women’s Center, a 10,000 square foot facility located in the heart of Springfield, was founded in 2023 with a vision to create a collaboration of non-profits to serve Western Mass women who are committed to improving their lives and achieving financial independence. The facility will offer low cost ‘residencies’ to non-profit organizations that will work together to transform the lives of low income women through improved educational and career opportunities. Ultimately, the Center will also address food insecurity, which has been identified as a significant impediment to financial stability. The first non-profit residency has been granted to Dress For Success Western Massachusetts: a pioneer and widely respected organization that empowers women to establish careers and advance within their careers through skill development, professional attire, mentorship and other programming.
Dress For Success Western Massachusetts leadership played a key role in developing the vision for the O’Dell Women’s Center and will remain a strategic partner in all future initiatives at the Center.
The O’Dell Women’s Center is actively working to identify other non-profit organizations to occupy low cost space within the building to create a community hub for women who are committed to improving their lives through a supportive network committed to improving their educational and workplace opportunities.
Our Goals
To identify and low-income women regardless of age, race, sexual identity or religion who are motivated and committed to improve their lives in partnership with the O’Dell Women’s Center.
To become an integral resource for the City of Springfield and surrounding towns to support motivated female citizens overcome obstacles to achieve educational, workplace and financial success.
To create a community network of supports to help low-income women access resources to overcome short term challenges and allow them to achieve their highest potential.
To work personally with each client to identify their unique challenges and skills and develop a personalized ‘plan’ for each woman and provide a network of support systems to execute the plan.
Did You Know?
According to a recent study of low income women by University of Massachusetts Center for Family Research:
Only 38% of Women Surveyed had a High School or GED Level of Education
Out of 195 individuals, with 95.4% being women, 22% of which had not completed high school, 38% had obtained a GED or high school diploma as their highest level of education, 24% had some college (no degree), and 16% had a certification, Associate, Bachelor’s or other higher degree.
58% of Women in Springfield Reported Household Income Levels Below the Poverty Line
83% reported household incomes below 200% of the poverty line and 50% reported that the total of their income and public assistance financial supports was insufficient to meet their needs.
Only 17% of Low Income Springfield Women Surveyed Were Employed Full Time
23% of women were employed part time, 12% of women were unable to work, 9% of women were not looking for work, and 19% of women were currently looking for work.
54% of Low Income Springfield Women Surveyed Reported Using a Food Pantry at Least Once a Month
35% of women reported going to the food pantry at least twice per month. 80% of women reported that they were receiving EBT, food stamps, or SNAP. 74% of SNAP recipients used this food assistance for a year or more.