The Philippine Association of University Women has developed a community outreach project in a depressed area of Manila. The project, "NEEDS (Nutrition, Education, Entrepreneurship and Development of Skills)" is intended to provide practical assistance and training to improve the quality of life of young people, women and the unemployed in order to help them cope with the demands of modern day life.

Trainers, who are members of PAUW, give courses on reading, writing, mathematics and livelihood and skills training. The income generation component of this project focuses on food preparation and handicrafts, giving many women the opportunity to acquire skills to start small businesses. Skills taught included: candle making, chocolate making, paper craft, food and snack preparation, cosmetology, and reflexology.

The educational component offers children basic reading, writing and arithmatic lessons, as well as some basic computer skills.  Simple nutrious snacks are provided for school drop-outs.