HARWICH, MA — For 25 years, Cape Cod women have turned to WE CAN during some of life’s hardest moments. A divorce. The loss of a spouse. Financial uncertainty. Career transitions. Moments when having trusted support can make all the difference.
Today, WE CAN is announcing its next chapter.
In a milestone moment marking 25 years of impact, WE CAN has launched “Pathways to Possibilities,” a $5 million initiative that will strengthen and expand the organization’s ability to serve women across Cape Cod for years to come.
The campaign was officially announced on June 4th at A Day of Words, Wit and Wisdom, WE CAN’s annual literary event before a crowd of more than 400 supporters, volunteers, and community members. This signature annual event has supported WE CAN’s extraordinary growth from a grassroots nonprofit serving 15 women in its first year to an organization now supporting more than 1,500 women annually across Cape Cod.
At the event, WE CAN Board Member Mariann Youniss was joined by the volunteer campaign committee on stage and invited the community to help shape the next chapter of the organization’s work. “WE CAN has always been about what’s possible when women are supported and empowered,” she said. “This campaign is an opportunity for our entire community to come together and ensure that every woman on Cape Cod has a path forward. We are excited to share that to date $2.6M of the goal has been raised by a catalyst group of donors.”
For 25 years, WE CAN has helped women navigate some of life’s most difficult moments while building pathways toward greater confidence, financial stability, independence, and opportunity. Through free, confidential services focused on legal support, financial empowerment, mentoring and coaching, career guidance, small business support, and personal development, the organization has become a critical resource for women across the region.
At the heart of WE CAN’s work is a simple but powerful belief: every woman deserves practical, judgment-free support as she navigates change and shapes her own future.
Cape Cod women continue to face significant economic pressures. High housing costs, seasonal employment, transportation barriers, and rising costs for basic needs disproportionately affect women across the region, with women making up over 60% of the population living below the Federal Poverty Level.
The Pathways to Possibilities Campaign is both a response to growing need and an investment in the future of the Cape community. The three-year initiative will support WE CAN’s 2026-2028 strategic priorities, including:
- Investing in and enhancing current programs and launching new services
- Expanding access to services on the Upper Cape, increasing reach and engagement in underserved communities
- Building an advocacy platform to address systemic challenges affecting women’s economic stability and well-being
- Securing long-term financial sustainability through diversified funding and endowment
Campaign investments will support a future Cape Cod where every woman facing a difficult transition has access to a safe, empowering space and the guidance she needs to shape her own path forward.
“With community support, WE CAN will continue opening doors for women across Cape Cod,”
Executive Director Lisa Guyon said. “Together, we are building a future where every woman has access to the tools, support, and opportunities she needs not just to get by, but to truly thrive. Top of FormTogether, we can build a lasting legacy of opportunity, advocacy, and sustainability. Join us in making Pathways to Possibilities a reality.”
To learn more about the Pathways to Possibilities campaign, programs and services, volunteer opportunities, or to make a contribution, visit www.wecancenter.org or contact Kat Pannill, Senior Development Manager, at kat@wecancenter.org or 774-776-4205.
About WE CAN
WE CAN provides Cape Cod women services in the areas of legal advice, financial empowerment, career support, small business support, mentoring, and personal development. Founded in 2001, WE CAN has served the Cape Cod community for 25 years and strives to increase access to and awareness of our services so every woman has a safe place to gain resources, knowledge, and confidence to face challenges and embrace opportunities in her life.