Women in Need helps working poor

it comes to helping others, Sheryl Parrish doesn't limit herself to hair.

In March, Parrish and Carrie Parks, with Waste Corporation of America, founded Women in Need, a program designed to help working women in need.

Thus far, the organization has helped five women and provided about $8,000 in funds plus a car that had been donated.

"It's designed to help the working poor. A friend of mine, who was recently divorced with a couple of kids, was very hard-working and couldn't get any help at all because she was making too much money.' But she was at poverty level.

"If they're making $10 per hour and their car breaks down, it's not just an inconvenience it's a catastrophe. This is the type of women we help."

Women in Need provides an array of help for applicants, ranging from cash for electric bills or repairs, to donated items. Applications for help are reviewed by an 11-member board of directors that votes on who to help.

Parrish said the organization is constantly raising funds.

"We have through networking formed a huge group of volunteers, both men and women, who get together weekly to brainstorm on different fund-raising events. We had a golf tournament that was very successful we raised over $8,000. We've had bingo in some local pubs for fun which raised probably $2,000."

The group is currently looking for a mechanic to donate services.

Women in Need does not require women to pay the money back.

"If they can (pay the money back), great. If they can't, certainly don't worry about it. What you never know, when somebody is working very, very hard, within five years their life could turn on a dime," Parrish said. "If they're working hard at it, it doesn't matter what their situation is right now, you don't know what's going to happen. We want them to keep their dignity. This is not welfare."