Published: August 28, 2009 11:54 pm      

Women’s support network is Moxham writer’s goal

Empowerment speaker Sharon Narcisse of Moxham knows a woman’s worth and wants to let area women in on the secret.

Narcisse will launch her consulting service, A Woman’s Worth, by presenting “Waging W.A.R. Women Are Ready for a Change” at 6 p.m. Sept. 4 at Trinity Lutheran Church, 600 Ash St. in the Hornerstown section of Johnstown.

The time of fellowship, networking and support, where women will be able to discuss the everyday issues of juggling parenting and family, managing finances, seeking a career and finding self-esteem, is the first phase of the program

Narcisse wants to bring to all women in the area.

“This is a support network for professionals, homemakers, singles, the unemployed and career women of all ages,” Narcisse said. “It’s a smorgasbord of what matters to the heart of women. I believe God opened the doors for A Woman’s Worth. It’s a much needed program.”

Narcisse will continue to hold get-togethers the first Friday of each month.

From this initial phase, Narcisse hopes to go out into the community and get a base of women who are willing to help her as she assesses what the needs are.

These volunteer helpers will facilitate workshops for women, which form the next phase of the program.

“The workshops will be on finances, hair and makeup, parenting and careers,” Narcisse said. “I want to help nurture and empower them – to cater to the whole woman.”

The workshops will be four to six weeks long and will be free to women on the support network. Others will pay a nominal charge.

Narcisse hopes to network with social service agencies, subcontracting her services and receiving referrals.

Narcisse’s volunteers also will be involved in a one-on-one mentoring program.

Mentors will have to go through training and fill out an application listing their qualities and experience.

“We’ll see if they’re suitable to match up,” Narcisse said. “Mentoring is not easy, and we won’t take it lightly. We want to make sure there is a good match.”

Narcisse, 51, is passionate about “A Woman’s Worth” because she knows firsthand what it’s like to be without hope and a future.

“I grew up in Washington, D.C., and I was the victim of domestic violence as a child and an adult for 14 years,”

Narcisse said. “It led me down the horrible path of homelessness and addiction, but God allowed me to turn my life around through the Peniel treatment program.

“I’ve had positive people to help me survive to get to the level I’m at today. God has opened so many doors.”

Narcisse graduated from the Peniel program 22 years ago and believes she has been called to help empower women to move beyond their circumstances.

“This is why I want to have this program,” Narcisse said.

“I’ve literally touched on everything these women are going through. I’ve walked in the shoes of those women who will walk through the doors of A Woman’s Worth.”

Unemployed at the moment, Narcisse is living what she is teaching as she goes about looking for a paying job.

“I believe being unemployed gives me insight into what these women are facing,” she said. “I don’t look at it as negative. It’s a tool to a better self.”

Narcisse doesn’t want to push A Woman’s Worth as a Christian program, but it will be Bible-based instruction.

“I want to merge the practical with the spiritual,” she said.

Narcisse has a talk show for women called “A Woman’s Worth is Worth Talking About,” which airs on Atlantic Broadband’s channel 9 at 7:30 p.m. Thursdays.

The show highlights the issues of today, focusing on any topic that matters to women.

Narcisse is a member of Peniel Praise Community Church, where she serves as an elder and president of the alumni program.

She believes she can bring education, practical experience and knowledge to A Woman’s Worth.

“Education is knowledge, knowledge is power, and power is freedom,” Narcisse said.

Narcisse received a journalism fellowship from Vanderbilt University and has written a column for Somerset Daily American, which now appears in Somerset Magazine. She also is a former editor of Our Town.

Her article “The Miracle Baby” was published in “God Just Showed Up,” a collection of stories of hope, and she also wrote a devotional book.

Narcisse has worked with women in drug and alcohol rehab for 20 years, has mentored women in abusive situations and is certified to work with women in crisis.

She is certified as a Christian life coach and hopes to become certified as a minister and a master life coach, which would allow her to teach.

Narcisse was director of Bridge of Hope of the Laurel Highlands, a nonprofit program that assisted homeless mothers and their children.

She has been on the speaking circuit for 19 years, with stops in Harrisburg; Washington, D.C.; Maryland; and Virginia.

Narcisse has an office on the second floor of the Trinity Lutheran Church for A Woman’s Worth, but hopes to get her own building someday.

“We’re looking for a building sitting empty that someone could donate,” Narcisse said.

“We need supplies and are looking for financial contributions and sponsorships from businesses.”

Narcisse stressed that there will be no counselors at A Woman’s Worth. It is not a mental health or rehabilitation facility.

“It’s an information conduit, a support network, a resource center,” she said. “It’s a life-skills program on how to manage your life – a win-win situation for the women of Johnstown.”

Narcisse is looking for grants and fundraisers that will help her ministry grow and is applying for nonprofit status.

Anyone wishing to help Narcisse with time, talent or resources should call 410-3958.