GROW began in 1989 with a staff of two, committed to helping women pursue an anti-poverty strategy that was gaining acceptance across the U.S.

We have grown from one training program to four:

• "Minding Your Own Business," a 15-week entreprenurial training course,
• Economic Literacy, a 5 session introduction to understanding basics of money management, credit and credit repair, budgeting and simple principles of economics.
• Bright Ideas, a pre "MYOB" business exploration.
• Dollar Divas, a money management and life skills training for high school girls, in a fun and relaxing atmosphere.

The following paragraphs are excerpts from our tenth anniversary booklet, "Seeds Sown..." made possible by a grant from the Nokomis Foundation.

While working to serve her new community through her position at a west-side urban ministry, LeAnne Moss saw a disturbing thread running through the lives of many women and families in poverty. A lack of options for change -- and the resulting fall in self-esteem from lack of power over one's fate.

What would give people the ability to build economic self-sufficiency and pride and assets? One strategy seemed to stand out: Self-employment. Moss had heard about several programs around the country that were successfully implementing such strategies. She used a video clip about one of those programs again and again to grab the imaginations of leaders throughout our community. And they saw how the vision of this young, unpretentious woman could work -- right here in Grand Rapids.

She planted the seed for what is now known as GROW in the mind of area movers and shakers. Over the last decade that seedling has taken hold and matured into an established economic development non-profit organization that enjoys partnerships with many national, state and local community investors and volunteers, including the U.S. Small business Administration (SBA).

A look at the initial Beliefs Statement of the fledgling organization reflects the founders' philosophy of respect for all. The following is the originaI working of that statement.

• GROW believes that:
  Self-determination is a right and responsibility to be experienced by everyone;
• Having choices and options contributes to the development of self-esteem;
• Contributions to the enhancement of community life is the responsibility of all.

Moss knew the characteristics of the women GROW would reach out to: "I believe this population of women are a unique group. They are determined, motivated and they ... believe that they can make a difference in their life. They know with a little help and their own power, they will make a difference in their lives." From the beginning, she urged that those with barriers, particularly financial, be the primary audience, noting that here was where the biggest impact could be made. Business training could:

1. give women personal power,
2. change the lifestyle of whole families,
3. and benefit the economy of the whole community.

She always felt that investments of time or money in an organization that helped women personally and professionally would provide worthy returns -- the community was simply investing in itself. In Moss' own words: "We exist to change and promote women's economic status in society and to advocate for this type of change. This is a challenging mission that will make a difference in society."

GROW was born. It was June, 1989.

Program offerings are continually updated based on current market environments and the suggestions of experts from our own community, as well as many at the state and national level, including the U.S. SBA.

The use of professionals from across the business community has proven to be one of GROW's greatest assets. No one can prepare a better lesson -- whether the topic is finance, marketing, management, or personal growth -- than someone who lives it daily. Today, over 80% of GROW's "Minding Your Own Business" training course -- as well as Economic Literacy classes, UpClose seminars, mentoring services and business counseling consultations are provided by such experts.

Not only do GROW participants benefit from the knowledge shared by these valuable volunteers, but relationships and networks often begin to form that are beneficial to all over time.

Though GROW has expanded our capacity to serve, our office space, our staff, our technology and our program offerings, we have not grown away from the bedrock values and beliefs of our founder.

We still enjoy a broad base of volunteers who help us with everything from teaching to technological advice. We have a strong relationship with the U.S. SBA and links to 60 Women Business Centers across the US with which we share advice, best practices, good news and personal support. We are still blessed by the support of many individual, corporate, church, agency, foundation, state, local and national funders.

And we still are rewarded daily by the success stories, achievements big and small and personal friendship our many participants bring to us.