Our Services
One Woman and a Broken Pencil (OWBP) strengthens individuals, families, and communities through education, technology, wellness, entrepreneurship, mentoring, community engagement, and access to resources. We serve youth, adults, seniors, and individuals experiencing hardship with programs designed to Educate, Empower, Equip, and Transform.
STEAM Ahead with OWBP
Hands-on Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM) programming that helps youth build creativity, confidence, critical-thinking, and problem-solving skills. Activities include robotics, coding, gaming, engineering, science experiments, puzzles, 3D printing, creative arts, mobile app development, and career exploration.
Young Entrepreneurs
Youth learn how to transform ideas into opportunities through entrepreneurship, financial literacy, budgeting, product development, marketing, branding, pricing, customer service, and sales. Youth markets and community events provide real-world opportunities to develop products, practice business pitches, and earn revenue.
The Golden Connection
Our senior initiative promotes meaningful connections, emotional wellness, cognitive stimulation, health education, technology learning, and lifelong engagement. Activities include brain games, technology education, wellness discussions, creative activities, social engagement, community resources, and referrals.
Intergenerational Learning
OWBP brings youth and seniors together to learn, create, and connect. Youth can share technology skills while seniors contribute knowledge, mentorship, history, and life experiences—strengthening relationships and reducing social isolation.
Community Engagement
We create welcoming spaces for conversations about issues affecting our communities, including mental health, health disparities, education, violence prevention, aging, financial wellness, family relationships, workforce opportunities, and community resources.
Health, Wellness & Life Skills
Programming includes emotional wellness education, stress management, healthy living, mentoring, leadership development, goal setting, communication, conflict resolution, financial literacy, and college and career readiness.
Workforce & Career Development
We provide career exploration, job-readiness training, résumé and interview preparation, professional development, workforce referrals, certification pathway information, and connections to training and employment opportunities.
Homelessness & Essential Needs
OWBP supports individuals and families experiencing homelessness or financial hardship through food, clothing, shoes, winter wear, hygiene and essential-needs kits, resource navigation, and referrals to housing, healthcare, employment, and community services.
Resources, Referrals & Partnerships
We connect people to housing, food, healthcare, mental-health, education, employment, senior, youth, and family resources. OWBP also collaborates with nonprofits, businesses, schools, government agencies, faith-based organizations, healthcare providers, and community leaders.
Our Impact
Over the past five years, OWBP reports serving 5,000+ people experiencing homelessness, 300+ youth, and 160+ seniors, while building partnerships and collaborations with 150+ organizations and businesses.
Different Paths. Shared Purpose. Stronger People. Stronger Families. Stronger Communities.
OWBP — Inspire • Empower • Impact
Programs
One Woman and a Broken Pencil (OWBP) Mental Wellness Program provides trauma-informed Healing Circles and one-on-one counseling services for individuals ages 11–75. The program supports youth, adults, seniors, caregivers, and families experiencing stress, trauma, grief, anxiety, depression, violence exposure, housing instability, food insecurity, and other life challenges. Through facilitated Healing Circles, participants engage in peer support, emotional wellness activities, conflict resolution, self-care practices, and resilience-building discussions in a safe and supportive environment. Individual counseling sessions provide personalized support, mental health assessments, crisis intervention, goal setting, and referrals to additional resources when needed. Services are culturally responsive, strengths-based, and designed to reduce isolation while promoting healing, emotional well-being, and healthy coping skills. OWBP aims to increase access to mental health support, strengthen family and community connections, and empower participants to achieve greater stability, wellness, and quality of life.
Impact Fact Statement for One Woman and Broken Pencil (OWBP):
"In the past three years, One Woman and Broken Pencil (OWBP) has made a significant impact on our community: We have fed over 5,016 homeless individuals, providing them with essential hygiene kits, tents, blankets, chili underwear, and sleeping bags to improve their quality of life and comfort.
Our efforts have led to the successful housing placement of over 50 women, helping them secure stable and safe living arrangements. We have conducted more than 65 job readiness workshops, equipping participants with the skills and confidence needed to enter and succeed in the workforce. Additionally, we have hosted over 36 women empowerment workshops, empowering women with knowledge, resources, and support to overcome challenges and achieve their goals.
OWBP has collaborated with various organizations such as Black Fire Brigade, DLD for Youth Teen Parenting Navigators, A&L Youth and Family Services, Real Freedom, Terry Community Tree, Community with Voices, and Coach's Corner Broadview and Maywood Park Districts to expand our reach and impact.
Our back-to-school initiatives have provided over 2,563 students with backpacks filled with supplies, ensuring they have the tools they need to succeed in their education. Furthermore, we have hosted 42 community engagement events, fostering connections, awareness, and collaboration within our community.
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These accomplishments demonstrate our commitment to creating positive change, supporting individuals in need, and building a stronger, more resilient community together.
