New Ventures, Inc. Collection
Abstract
New Ventures, Inc. was a non-profit organization founded in 1977 for the purpose of providing counseling and training to women experiencing changes in family, career and lifestyle. The organization specialized in providing support to former homemakers entering or re-entering the work force. The Records of New Ventures, Inc. dates from 1978-1991. The collection consists of newsletters, programs, correspondence, clippings, photographs, and other documents generated by the organization. These items cover subjects such as leadership of the organization, funding (including grants), publicity for the organization, and programs the organization offered.
Important Information for Users of the Collection
Some materials are restricted. Please see box inventory for more information. .
New Ventures, Inc. Collection, Special Collections, University of Maryland Libraries.
This collection is PROCESSED.
Historical Note
New Ventures, Inc. was a non-profit organization founded by Bowie, Maryland women in 1977 for the purpose of providing counseling and training to women experiencing changes in family, career and lifestyle. The organization specialized in providing support to former homemakers entering or re-entering the work force. The organization served the Bowie, Hyattsville, Fort Washington and Riverdale, Maryland (Prince George's County) areas from the time of its founding through the 1980s and early 1990s out of its main office in Bowie. The organization was run by a volunteer Board of Directors and included a small paid staff and many volunteers. The original Board of Directors were: Pat Pease, Penny Scott, and Angela Miotto, three professional counselors; Joan Schmidt, an administrator; Kathy Montgomery, an attorney; and Idaclare Kerwin, a financial officer. In 1986 the organization created a fund in honor of Nancy Melago, a volunteer who passed away from a chronic illness. The fund paid counseling fees for those unable to afford the organization's counseling services.
New Ventures, Inc. was advertised in the Washington Post in 1981 and 1991 as a place to go if re-entering the workforce after being a homemaker. According to the advertisements, New Ventures, Inc. "teaches women who have lost their major source of income through separation, divorce, death or disability of their spouse(offers) career/job search workshops, stress management, assertiveness training, discussion groups and individual/group counseling." (Washington Post, August 6, 1991) To support its work, the group held fundraisers in addition to applying for grants from the Prince George's County budget. New Ventures, Inc. ceased to be a nonprofit organization and became a private enterprise circa 1992.
Scope and Contents of the Collection
The Records of New Ventures, Inc. dates from 1978-1991. The collection consists of newsletters, programs, correspondence, clippings, photographs, and other documents generated by the organization. These items cover subjects such as leadership of the organization, funding (including grants), publicity for the organization, and programs the organization offered.
Custodial History and Acquisition Information
Angela B. Miotto donated the New Ventures, Inc. archives to the University of Maryland Historical Manuscripts Collection in October 2010.
Processing Information
This collection was processed by Allison C. Heinbaugh in March 2011.
An initial inventory was created for the collection at the time of accession. Unlabeled folders were given titles at this time. During processing in March 2011, each folder was replaced with an acid-free folder. Some folder titles were expanded to include more descriptive information. Newsprint was photocopied for preservation purposes. Folders were arranged in a single series, and restricted material was screened and placed in separate folders. A finding aid was then written for the collection.
EAD markup created using EAD database in Microsoft Access. Markup completed by Jennie A. Levine.
Arrangement of Collection
The New Ventures, Inc. Collection has been arranged into one series.
Detailed Description of the Collection
Series 1: Organization Records, 1978-1991 and undated (0.50 linear feet)
This series consists of documents generated by New Ventures, Inc. in the course of conducting its affairs. The series includes newsletters, programs, correspondence, clippings, photographs, and other documents generated by the organization. Much of the material concerns funding for the organization. There is also material on the Board of Directors and the internal workings of the organization. The series is arranged alphabetically by topic.
| Description | Series | Box / Reel | Folder / Frame | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| [Articles of Incorporation], 1978 | series 1 | box 1 | folder 1 | |
| Board of Directors Official Resignation Letters, 1986-1991 | series 1 | box 1 | folder 2 | |
| [Board of Directors Requirements and Invitations], 1978-1986 and undated | series 1 | box 1 | folder 3 | |
| Board of Directors Terms, 1986-1989 | series 1 | box 1 | folder 4 | |
| [Community Based Education Program, Tall Oaks High School], 1991 and undated | series 1 | box 1 | folder 5 | |
| [Correspondence], 1978-1982 | series 1 | box 1 | folder 6 | |
| [Correspondence], 1987-1988 | series 1 | box 1 | folder 7 | |
| Correspondence, Request for Funds -- County, 1981 | series 1 | box 1 | folder 8 | |
| Gala Preparation, 1979-1982 | series 1 | box 1 | folder 9 | |
| [Gala Programs], 1984-1986 | series 1 | box 1 | folder 10 | |
| [Lists of New Ventures, Inc. Supporters], 1984 and undated | series 1 | box 1 | folder 11 | |
| Nancy Melago Fund - List of Contributors, 1986-1989 [Restricted] | series 1 | box 1 | folder 12 | |
| New Ventures, Inc. History, 1979-1984 | series 1 | box 1 | folder 13 | |
| New Ventures for Displaced Homemakers Annotated Information Packet, 1979 | series 1 | box 1 | folder 14 | |
| New Ventures for Displaced Homemakers Information Packet, 1979 | series 1 | box 1 | folder 15 | |
| [Newsletters and Brochures], 1980 and undated | series 1 | box 1 | folder 16 | |
| Support Letters for County Grants, 1986-1987 and undated | series 1 | box 1 | folder 17 | |
| Support Letter Mailing List, 1988 and undated | series 1 | box 1 | folder 18 | |
| Testimonials [and Donations], 1981-1986 | series 1 | box 1 | folder 19 | |
| Testimonials [and Donations] (Restricted Material), 1981-1986 [Restricted] | series 1 | box 1 | folder 20 | |
Related Material
Helen L. Koss Papers
For other related archival and manuscript collections, please see the following subject guides.
Selected Search Terms
This collection is indexed under the following headings in the University of Maryland Libraries' Catalog. Researchers desiring related materials about these topics, names, or places may search the Catalog using these headings.
Subjects
- Displaced homemakers -- Employment -- United States
- Displaced homemakers -- United States
- Koss, Helen L. -- Archives
- Women's rights -- Maryland
- Women -- United States -- History -- 20th century