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Back in 1897, New York City was finally ready to consolidate all five boroughs, immigrants were flooding in from everywhere and unemployment engulfed the lower classes. Then, as now the face of poverty was often the face of a woman.

That year, William Russel Grace opened his heart and then his bank account, to found an institution to educate New York women with the practical skills necessary to find paying work.

"When the 20th century began, he realized the New York City was a mecca for business and he said if women really want to become economically independent, the best thing for them is to learn business skills," says Grace Institute Executive Director Mary Mulvihill. "So he started a business training program and that's what we've been doing every since. We serve economically disadvantaged women, we train them in job skills and then we get them jobs with benefits."

Grace Institute points to thousands of students who've completed the half-year course and marched into well paying jobs. The only qualifications for women are basic English and high school equivalency, and the course is absolutely free.

"So far it's wonderful, what I was lacking for the last few years I'm getting now," says student Angela Patterson. "I'm surprised I'm learning so fast."

"I enjoy it immensely. The students are all very friendly," says student Lilmattid Saidpreshae.

The program also involves the so-called "soft" skills: interviewing, office and telephone etiquette, and that rarest of qualities, confidence.

"Once I graduate, I know I'm going to do better and get a job with benefits," says student Lisa Nyhu.

Recently, the organization added on the Grace Institute Gallery to encourage the work of young artists.

With all this going on, there is still room for more students.

"You'll feel so good about yourself, it will make you dream again and it will make you feel very, very hopeful," says Mulvihill.

For more information about Grace Institute, call 1-212-832-7605 or visit www.graceinstitute.org.