A new wellbeing programme for women in Ōpōtiki is set to make a lasting difference thanks to support from the Eastern Bay Women's Impact Fund.
At this year's Women's Impact Fund voting event, donors selected EmpowerHER, a new programme from Ihi Kura Wellness Centre, as the recipient of a $42,000 grant.
Led by Aldean Williams, EmpowerHER is a holistic wellbeing initiative designed to support women through a combination of hauora, movement, mātauranga, connection, and personal development. The funding will help purchase equipment and resources, support programme delivery, and enable specialist facilitators to lead learning sessions across three EmpowerHER programmes planned for the coming year.
For Aldean, the benefits of the programme will extend well beyond the women who take part.
"The funding we receive will help us empower women to be the best they can be, whatever that looks like for them. We're focused on building resilience, strength and confidence, while creating a sense of belonging and connection."
Aldean believes the impact of the programme will strengthen not only individual participants, but also whānau and the wider community.
"The use of funds received will be life-changing for our wāhine and tamariki. That will be part of our process, a veil lifting, coming out of the dark and into the light."
Community-Led Giving in Action
Administered by the Eastern Bay Community Foundation, the Women's Impact Fund brings together local women who pool their donations to create meaningful change for women and children across the Eastern Bay.
One of the unique features of the Fund is that donors help decide where the funding goes. After a thorough assessment process by the Women's Impact Fund Committee, finalists are invited to present their projects directly to donors and supporters before a community vote determines the successful recipient.
This year's event showcased four inspiring projects, each focused on improving outcomes for women and children in our region.
Among the finalists was Kawerau nutritionist Julia Kihi-Coates of Ngā Ahuatanga o Te Kai, who proposed a series of cultural food sovereignty workshops. Also presenting was Kirsty Mio of Ōpōtiki, whose new Grounded programme focused on women's wellbeing and connection.
Additional funding was also awarded to the Alternative to Violence Programme, an outreach initiative that supports women affected by violence.
A Growing Impact
Since its establishment, the Eastern Bay Women's Impact Fund has distributed almost $240,000 to projects supporting women and children throughout the Eastern Bay.
The 2026 funding round marked another significant milestone, with supporters raising a record $56,000 to invest back into local communities.
The success of this year's funding round demonstrates the power of collective giving and what can be achieved when local women come together around a shared goal.
Applications for the next Women's Impact Fund funding round will open in 2027.
Interested in becoming part of the Women's Impact Fund community? Learn more about becoming a donor and helping shape the future of women and children across the Eastern Bay.
