For ten years, Paula L. Whitman, Psy.D. LLP, worked for the Salvation Army Harbor Light in Monroe, MI, and witnessed the struggles of many women. At the facility, there was a very low success rate for women with addictions, and upon investigation, it appeared these women would fare better if they had a support network and a safe place to go while they learned a trade, improved their education, reunited with their families, and were given therapeutic assistance.

It didn’t take long for Paula to realize that no one would take her serious about this project as she was new to recovery and she had a high school education.  Therefore, she began to pursue improving her education and when she graduated with her master’s degree in 1999, she began seeking potential board members to assist her in making her dream become a reality.

Together, the original founding board members of Women Empowering Women, Inc. stood strong against the city and fearful neighbors until they were they were able to find an appropriate house. She graduated with her doctorate degree in psychology from the Michigan School of Professional Psychology in Farmington Hills, MI, in August of 2004 and, with permission from the city, the house opened in September 2004.

In 2006, Women Empowering Women, Inc., was fortunate enough to receive a grant from the Housing of Urban Development, and with the support of our community has been able to expand providing services to women with their children.