The Intrepid Professional Women Network (IPWN) was started by Ms. Pamela Jenkins in 2015 while working on her MSW at Western Michigan University. During that time, a group of MSW students conducted a brief needs assessment in the Kalamazoo community. Their findings showed that there were (and still are), very limited resources available to historically marginalized women in general, and veteran women specifically (e.g., housing, education, training, mentoring). Therefore the IPWN was born to fill in the existing gaps in services offered in the Kalamazoo County to this population. Instead of duplicating services, IPWN is adding wrap-around resources to the population served. Currently, IPWN is collaborating with various organizations and agencies in Kalamazoo County. Some of the programs offered to the Kalamazoo community during the past four years are ranging from health and wellness, to financial literacy, to workplace professionalism.

Who Are We?

Intrepid Professional Women Network is a social service organization assisting

  • Historically marginalized 
  • Underemployed
  • Returning women veterans
  • Reentry women from prison

How Do We Do It?

By empowering women with free services in the areas of:

  • Financial Planning/Budgeting Workshops
  • Holistic Workshops
  • Literacy
  • Professional Development
  • Women’s Health Workshops
  • Women’s Spiritual Retreat Workshops
  • Entrepreneurial Enrichment

Vision Statement

The vision of IPWN is a world in which all historically marginalized women are empowered to attain their full potential, through advocacy, and education.

 

Mission Statement

The mission of Intrepid Professional Women Network, Inc. is to empower historically marginalized women through free, relevant, accessible, and engaging programs.

Organizations & Business Collaborations

Federal

  • Veterans Administration
  • Memorandum of Understanding

State

  • Kalamazoo Covenant Academy
  • Michigan Department of Correction Re-entry Program
  • Memorandum of Understanding

Local

  • AARP Foundation
  • Allegra Portage
  • Arcus Center for Social Justice
  • Borgess Fitness Center
  • Cartridge World
  • Chase Bank
  • Chemical Bank
  • City of Kalamazoo Parks & Recreation
  • D & W Fresh Market
  • Douglass Community Association
  • Edison Neighborhood Association
  • Family Children Services
  • Family Health Center
  • First United Methodist Church
  • Hardings
  • Healthy House
  • Henderson Castle
  • Kalamazoo Community Foundation

Local

  • Bethany Christian Services
  • Kali Beauty Supply
  • Lam & Associates
  • Lewis Walker Institute for the Study of Race & Ethnic Relations
  • Meijers
  • Michigan Small Business Development Center
  • Nessel’s Nutrition
  • Panera Bread
  • Penn Station
  • Score’s
  • Senator Margaret O’Brien
  • Sarkozy Bakery
  • Seventh Day Adventist Community Services
  • Shepherd’s Landing LLC
  • Starbucks Coffee
  • State Farm Agent Sabrina Pritchett-Evans
  • State Representative Fred Upton
  • State Representative Jon Hoadley
  • Stephanie Renee Salon
  • Style Encore
  • Sweet Water Donuts
  • The Touch 1560AM Kalamazoo
  • Walmart
  • We Print On It
  • Western Michigan University
  • West Michigan College of Barbering and Beauty
  • Westwood Christian Reform Church
  • Xcel Staffing

Governed by a Board of Directors