July 07, 2008 - Posted by Michelle Brown

The Cancer Center at Martha Jefferson Hospital will soon offer guided relaxation CDs to patients in the waiting area as a means to reduce stress before procedures. CDs are created by Carolyn Schuyler, LCSW, Program Director at The Women’s Initiative. Two CDs will be offered – a basic “body scan” relaxation exercise as well as a guided imagery exercise. CDs will be short in duration to match the waiting period most patients have in the reception area. A longer CD combining a series of guided relaxation techniques will be made available in the hospital gift shop. The Women’s Initiative is honored to participate in this project and looks forward to sharing future comments with our supporters.

Yoga Course for Hormonal Changes on the Horizon

July 07, 2008 - Posted by Michelle Brown

Beginning on Tuesday, September 9, The Women’s Initiative will offer a free, four-week series on Yoga for Hormonal Changes. This course will be led by Susanna Nicholson, CYT and Founder of Union Yoga Loft. Susanna teaches and assistant teaches at national yoga conferences in universities, schools, corporations, hospitals, colleges, gyms, and at private studios in Europe, Asia, and in the United States. She is graciously volunteering her time and expertise to bring the gift of yoga to women in need.

This particular workshop has been offered in a shorter format at Martha Jefferson Hospital Outpatient Care Center for over three years. The workshop has helped many women cope with hot flashes, insomnia, fatigue, depression and other peri/menopausal symptoms. Registration will be limited to seven individuals and women will be asked to commit to the full series. Classes will take place from 7:00-8:30 p.m. on Tuesday evenings in September (9/9-9/30) at The Women’s Initiative. Contact us and register today!

The Hut Foundation Helps Launch Empowerment Course!

July 07, 2008 - Posted by Michelle Brown

A grant to fully fund our Life Empowerment Course was recently approved by The Hut Foundation. This generous support will enable us to reach approximately 48 low-income women at Westhaven, South First Street Center, the Adult Learning Center and the Jefferson Area CHIP program. The course will run for 90 minutes weekly for two six-week sessions. Each session will center on a particular stress management skill and will include education, discussion, experiential exercises, and exploration of personal application of skills in daily life. By the end of the course, women will have begun to see positive change in their mood, health, relationships, sense of purpose, parenting, and work life. The Women’s Initiative thanks The Hut Foundation for its thoughtful contribution and looks forward to sharing stories of success in the months ahead.

Counseling Sessions Available for Uninsured Women

June 27, 2008 - Posted by Michelle Brown

The Women’s Initiative is pleased to report the arrival of Sarah Travis Buck, a new intern from the University of Virginia’s Curry School. Sarah’s involvement with our agency will enable us to increase our capacity by another 7-10 uninsured women each month!

Would you please share our program information with uninsured women, and encourage them to contact us regarding available counseling services?

As stated in the 1999 Report of the Surgeon General on Mental Health, “The mental health field is plagued by disparities in the availability of and access to its services. These disparities are viewed readily through the lenses of racial and cultural diversity, age and gender. A key disparity often hinges on a person’s financial status; formidable financial barriers block off needed mental health care from too many people….” Our programs address this need.