Sisterwork is inspired by our community’s fight for equal opportunity and dedicated to supporting families through adversity. We are committed to addressing systemic inequity through intergenerational justice work in New Brunswick, New Jersey. We believe that 100% of young people deserve an equitable future in which they thrive.
In New Jersey, the gender earnings ratio for Latinas relative to non-Latino, white men were 45.5%, considerably lower than the national average of 54.4% in the 2015-2019 period. Only one state had a lower gender wage ratio for Latinas, and that was California at 45.3%” (Rutgers Center for Women and Work, Oct. 2021). According to Janelle Jones, the chief economist for the US Department of Labor, “many systemic issues are at the root of lower wages for working women—not just gender discrimination, but also racial discrimination, the devaluation of ‘women’s work’, the absence of supports for essential family care, and more.”
To learn more, read the full report “Latina wage gap in New Jersey: Where Are We Now?” Released by the Center for Women and Work at Rutgers university in October 2021, in English and Spanish.
Latina women in New Jersey are paid an average of 46 cents on the dollar compared to non-Latino white men in New Jersey.
Black women in New Jersey are paid an average of 55 cents on the dollar compared to a non-Latino white man in New Jersey.
Our Mission
Sisterwork is a family mentorship organization committed to closing gaps faced by Latina mothers and students in New Jersey.
To advance our mission, we provide community-based workshops and a network of resources that promote economic mobility, career exposure, and educational access. Our interdisciplinary programs are designed and implemented by mothers, licensed social workers, educators, artists and community partners.
The SisterMoms program is a series of Spanish language workshops where mothers can come together in community and support each other in pursuing their personal and career goals. Each workshop includes wellness exercises, coaching and conversations about a variety of themes including self compassion, relationships, education, employment, and financial health.
Community Programs are held in partnership with local organizations to create opportunities for families to come together and explore creativity, mindfulness, and celebration. Our programs include holiday celebrations for Easter and Dia de los Muertos, as well as the Summer Annual Picnic & Paint, where families come together to share a meal and create a community mural.
The ExCEL program is a leadership program for young women and girls aged 14-20, in Central New Jersey. This program is in partnership with the Rutgers Center for Women and Work and NJ DCF Division on Women with funding support from the CDC. Between 2021-2023 cohort participants will work together to design an action project that builds community support and protection for girls.
Community Partners
Our community partners include advisors from the Resolution Fellowship, Clinton Global Initiative, as well as local education, health, arts, faith, and immigrant rights organizations.
Sisterwork’s co-founders bring together skills in start-up business development, youth leadership development, creative arts education, community development, and trauma-informed care to drive Sisterwork’s inaugural programs and operations.
To get involved with Sisterwork, you can participate in our core programs, volunteer with us or donate to support our work in the community. Please contact us directly and let us know what opportunities you are interested in. We look forward to connecting with you!
Contact us directly if you are interested in signing up for the Sistermoms Program, Community Programs, or ExCEL.
Currently we are not accepting new volunteers, please check back in later this year for future opportunities!
Donate to support our core programs, and the families we work with in the community.
