NWTC Program, Invest, Dream, Achieve, Helps Women of Door County

Katie Smullen (left) and Victoria Jacquart. Submitted photo.

As a teenager, Victoria Jacquart left home, dropped out of high school and babysat to make ends meet, but she knew she wanted more: “I know that as long as I put my mind to it, I will achieve anything I dream of,” Jacquart said.

She went back to school to earn an HSED, then enrolled in the business-management program at NWTC-Sturgeon Bay. With support from Invest, Dream, Achieve – a collaboration between the Women’s Fund of Door County and NWTC – Jacquart is now changing her life. “It means so much to me,” she said. “It makes me feel like I can help myself get somewhere.”

Invest, Dream, Achieve began in fall 2018 with the purpose of helping Door County women achieve their goals through education, financial stability and career exploration. A $200,000 grant from the Women’s Fund of Door County – a fund of the Door County Community Foundation – made this program possible.

“We do everything in our power to make students like Victoria successful,” said NWTC Student Support Specialist Katie Smullen. “We are so grateful to the Women’s Fund of Door County. Their generosity is making a difference for our students’ lives.”

Fifteen students, including Jacquart, started in the inaugural group in fall 2018, and six more have recently joined the program.