Balcony Women Ministry User Guide
- June 1, 2024
- Balcony Women
Table of Contents
Balcony Women Ministry
Introduction
Balcony Women, Inc is a 501(c)(3) non-profit charitable organization. Contributions to Balcony Women are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law. Balcony Women’s tax identification number is 84-3868938.
A Balcony Woman is a woman God places in your life to encourage you. You will
find her in the balcony of your life hanging over the railing cheering you on.
A woman who genuinely wants to see you succeed and is excited when good things
happen to you.
Balcony Women was created to be a full circle ministry for women guided by scripture. We lead young Balcony Girls in the way they should go (Proverbs 22:6) so when they are older, they will lift up and encourage other women (1 Thessalonians 5:11), who will in turn look after His widows (James 1:27), with the hope that our widows will mentor our young Balcony Girls (Titus 2:3).
WHY?
Our mission is to encourage women of all ages to become Balcony Women by helping them understand that each of us are blessed with certain gifts and talents to fulfill our God given purpose in life. The first step is to see other women’s gifts and talents as a blessing not as a threat, but as part of God’s plan for their lives. It has nothing to do with your success, failures and happiness. We mentor women concerning their TRUE identity in Christ and His purpose for their lives.
Once we become Balcony Women it should be our heart’s desire to lift up other women. How we walk this out is different for each of us. God laid it on our hearts to engage our group of Balcony Women to care for His widows and mentor young women.
OUR FOUNDER
Melissa Phenicie, Founder
God always surrounded me with Balcony Women growing up. I thought everyone lifted up and encouraged others. As an adult, I had an experience that opened my eyes and heart to the realization that not everyone is as fortunate. I began praying for God to introduce me to other Balcony Women and to help me set an example of how women could be Balcony Women. He placed it on my heart that I needed to join Him if I wanted to make my prayer a reality. I was happy to, but I was thinking small and willing to work in my own circle of influence. God was faithful in His promise, but He expected more of me than I realized when I agreed to join Him. As God’s vessel, He is working through me to create a full circle women’s ministry that shows women how to live a life of purpose by following three key verses: Train a child in the way she should go… Proverbs 22:6 (Balcony Girls), Therefore encourage and lift others up… 1 Thessalonians 5:11 (Balcony Women), Religion God finds pure and faultless is to take care of His widows … James 1:27 (Balcony Women for Widows).
Balcony Women Ministry Structure
- Founder
- Executive Board
- Advisory Board
- Committee Chairwomen
- Widow Small Group Leaders
- Accounting
- Compass Consulting
- Balcony Girl Scholarship
- future goal
- Executive Board has the duty to transact the business of the non-profit including policy, programs, and financial matters.
- Advisory Board provides wise counsel regarding myriad issues associated with the non-profit.
- Committee Chairwomen use their relevant expertise to provide necessary execution of the non-profit functions.
ABOUT US
Our Balcony Women Boards and Chairwomen are tasked with providing strategic knowledge, analysis, and sound advice. It is comprised ofwomen within our community who desire to lift up and encourage other women. Their devotion to this calling is evident in how they live their everyday lives.
Executive Board
- Kerri Gingerich
- Hayden Heinecke
- Natalie Mikles
- Melissa Phenicie
- Katie Ruley
- Dianne Siegfried
- Kaci Skidgel
- Maryicarolyn Swabb
Advisory Board
- Tracy Chatman, Widow Events
- Sara Bailey, Widow Representative
- Shea Eby, Young Men’s Service League
- Kerri Gingerich, National Charity League
- Mary Kris Kollmann, Balcony Girls
- Kaitlyn Ward, Balcony Girls
- Sharron Woodmansee, Widow Representative
“I felt called to serve in this ministry. God has given me the opportunity to
use my spiritual gifts, time, and resources to help others. I’m thankful for
this privilege.”
Shae Hedrick, Small Group Leader
Committee Chairwomen
- Cathy Burdick, Widow Birthday Cards
- Christie Derr, Event Volunteers
- Mary Deisenroth, Event Door Prizes
- Buffy Ebright, Event Volunteers
- Kristy Garrett, Event Door Prizes
- Hayden Heinecke, Balcony Girls
- Summer Hall, Balcony Girls
- Jamie Schaffitzel, Event Set Up
- Tammy Stallings, Event Door Prizes
- TBD, Event Kitchen
- TBD Non-Profit Grant
- TBD, Annual Fundraiser
Therefore encourage one another and build each other up. 1 Thessalonians 5:11
- We believe we are called to strengthen women of all ages and help them fulfill the purpose for which they were created.
- When we participate in helping another woman fulfill her God given purpose, all women succeed.
BALCONY WOMEN
- Balcony Women
- Our 2024 goals include researching ways to expand our event capacity to be able to include all who wish to attend and getting the 200+ churches represented involved in volunteering and funding.
- Balcony Girls
- Our 2024 goals include expanding our Balcony Girls Workshop opportunities, create a Balcony Girl event to celebrate the young women who attend the workshops and funding a scholarship program for our high school mentors.
- Employees
- Our 2024 goal is to invest in our infrastructure by hiring staff to help manage our ministry growth.
BALCONY WOMEN FOR WIDOWS
There are 700,000* women who become widowed each year in the United States. Many widows feel like they are in a “fog” after their husband’s death. They often lose friendships, experience financial hardships, or struggle with illness themselves. The realities of life as a widow usually bring their own, fresh grief. Many widows feel alone and that no one understands. Having a strong network of support and a community bond fosters both emotional and physical health. Being a widow does not have to mean being alone. As God’s people, we are called to take care of widows.
*Sources: National Health Association, Life & Loss Mental Health Counseling, National Institute of Health.
Balcony Women
“No one can comfort a widow like another widow.
When we see another woman enter this experience… we want to comfort her.”
-Miriam Neff
Small Groups
Widows need other widows to help navigate their grief. Peers who can help them sort through their emotions, share tears and struggles with them, and celebrate progress. Balcony Women for Widows small groups gives widows a monthly support group to help meet their needs and guidance on their grief journey.
Events
Many widows feel isolated and that no one understands their grief. Balcony Women events give them a strong support network and help provide emotional and physical support. The dinner events show them there are people who understand and give them an uplifting and fun night of blessings. Visit the widow event tab on our website to see photos from past events.
Everyday Needs
- Widows don’t like to ask for help. They are used to being the caretaker. Unfortunately, there are times they need help with everyday needs like yard work. Our partnership with the Young Men’s Service League helps us meet those needs.
Advisory Committee Board
- Our widow board was formed to help us understand and meet the needs of the widows we serve. All board members are widows.
BALCONY GIRLS
The world is teaching young women that they need to compete with other young women to find happiness.
- 74% say they are under pressure to please others or look a certain way.
- 7 out of 10 believe they are not good enough.
- 1 in 4 girls fall into a clinical diagnosis of depression, eating disorders, cutting, or other mental/emotional disorders. On top of these, many more report being constantly anxious, sleep deprived, and under significant pressure. (The Triple Bind, Steven Hinshaw)
Why is a Balcony Girl community important?
- Having a sense of community unites us. Being a part of a community can make us feel as though we are a part of something greater than ourselves.
- It can give us opportunities to connect with people, to reach for our goals, and make us feel safe and secure.
BALCONY GIRLS
“I wish that more women realized that helping another woman win, cheering her on, praying for her, or sharing a resource with her does not take away from the blessing coming to them. In fact, the more you give, the more you receive. Empowering women doesn’t come from selfishness, but rather from selflessness.” -Selene Kinder.
Workshops
Middle school girls need peers and mentors to help them sort through their emotions as well as the perceived and real pressures that come with today’s society norms. They need a community that will be available for them when they face problems. Each Balcony Girl workshop walks participants through seven strategies to help meet their needs and provides a judgment-free zone that will give them the courage to make good choices.
Events
Many young women feel alone and that no one understands the pressures that come with growing up in today’s world. Having a strong network of caring peers encourages stable, trustworthy friendships that help with good mental health leading to fulfillment of God’s purpose for each girl. Our future goal is to host a Balcony Girl event to provide a fun and uplifting night with like- minded peers.
Scholarship Fund
Our future goal is to fund yearly college/trade school scholarship that will reward a young woman high school girl who is actively participating in our ministry and living as a Balcony Woman example in her everyday life.
Committee Board
Our Balcony Girl Board will be formed to help us understand and meet the needs of the young girls we serve. Board members will consist of women and young girls.
OUR PROGRESS & FUTURE HOPE
In 2014, we began our Balcony Women Ministry Charity with 3 small groups of 4 widows and our first event hosted 85 widows with a dozen volunteers. In 2019, we became a 501c3 non-profit charitable organization. Today we currently serve 535 widows at two special events annually, 200 widows that have signed up for our support groups, 1000 widows that receive our widow event invitations, and 220 volunteers willing to serve.
WIDOWS
We plan to expand our reach with a widow ministry model that will serve widows that reach out to us from other communities. We recently published our second widow small group guide and journal that has all the necessary components to assist those wishing to participate in our support groups or start a group in their community.
BALCONY GIRLS
We plan to expand our reach by continuing to host our Balcony Girl workshops for middle school girls. Workshops explore seven-character building topics. Our plans include a Balcony Girl scholarship fund for high school girls who volunteer and mentor our Balcony Girls.
Your Donations and Purchases
- We are committed to being good stewards of the funding provided through donations.
- The largest percentage of expenditures is used for direct program expenses.
Future Expenses
Balcony Women is growing and has the desire to expand our reach. Our 2024 goal is to begin to invest in our infrastructure and management. Our growth exceeds our leadership and volunteer’s capability to work directly with those we serve. Our hope is to be equipped with critical and reasonable overhead expenses so that we will be able to function effectively and continue to execute our mission.
| Expense | % |
|---|---|
| Program | 87.2% |
| Office/Infrastructure | 11.8% |
| Salaries/Management | 0% |
| Fundraising | 1.0% |
JOIN US
- When you shop our online gift store, you support the lifting up and encouraging of other women. All proceeds from your purchases support our ministry.
- Balcony Women is a 501c3 nonprofit.
- You can donate on our website, scan our QR Code, or by mailing your contribution.
- Balcony Women welcomes volunteers who lift up and encourage others.
- Currently, we have 220 active Balcony Women volunteers. Please email us at [email protected] to learn more.
What you have learned, received, heard and see in me practice these things. Philippians 4:9
Balcony Women Quote
- “I’m so blessed to feel like I belong. It sounds weird, but I don’t know any other way to say it.”
Balcony Women Quote
- “This ministry saved my life.
- I thank God for Balcony Women. Some day in Heaven, you will know your impact on the lives of women.”
Balcony Women Quote
- “I feel so much love from you all during these special occasions. You must know that God has called you to this ministry because it ministers to so many.”
More Information
- Train a child in the way she should go …
- Proverbs 22:6
- Therefore, encourage and lift others up …
- 1 Thessalonians 5:11
- Religion God finds pure and faultless is to take care of His widows …
- James 1:27
- … teach what is good.
- Titus 2:3
Contact
Balcony Women
Nonprofit Vision
- @balconywomen
- @balconygirlministry
- @balconywomen for widows
Founder
- Melissa Phenicie
- [email protected]
- 918.640.7573
Volunteer