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“I just want you to know how much your services are needed, and how much I appreciate what you do. I never thought I would need help like this; now I do. Thank you for being there.”

— TWI client

Mission

The Mission of The Women's Initiative is to provide effective counseling services, social support and education to empower women to transform challenging life situations into opportunities for renewed well-being and personal growth.

Vision

The Women’s Initiative is a leader in providing innovative, effective evidence-based mental health care to women, regardless of their financial means.

Values

We believe every woman has a natural capacity for healing that once uncovered and directed results in better mental and physical health. We believe it is critical to address each woman’s unique emotional, physical and spiritual needs.

Goals

We will provide a variety of services that promote a higher quality of life for women facing stressful life situations. We expect that women receiving our services will report that they have successfully:

clarified personal values, needs, and goals
built on personal strengths and resources to meet needs and achieve goals
mastered skills that promote restorative relaxation, calm and confidence
initiated life changes that lead to reduced stress and greater well being

CHOOSING WISDOM

Festival of the Book event: Big Success!

Scheline Crutchfield, moderator (left), opens the evening by speaking of how CHOOSING WISDOM author Dr. Peggy Plews-Ogan (middle) helped her prepare mentally for surgery and manage the subsequent pain through mindfullness. With co-author Justine Owens (right).

Essayists from TWI's 2011 Challenge into Change Essay Context shared their inspirational stories with the audience. (From left to right, Elizabeth Doyle Solomon, Martha Trujillo and Naasira El-Abdu'llah.)

Co-author Dr. Justine Owens talks about an important aspect of choosing wisdom in adversity: acceptance. "Instead of turning away from adversity, we are turning toward it, approaching instead of avoiding."

Peggy Plews-Ogan and essayists respond to audience questions.

Audience members listen and take notes.

Nearly 100 attended CHOOSING WISDOM, held at The Renaissance School. We had to scramble to find more chairs! Not shown, audience members standing along the sides....

A powerful evening of laughter and tears, Choosing Wisdom: Strategies and Inspiration for Growing Through Life-Changing Difficulties (2012 Templeton Press) brought together nearly 100 community members to discuss, "how do they do it?" How do some people face adversity and come through stronger, more resilient and compassionate while others become bitter and resentful? The evening featured readings from three local essayists, published in Challenge Into Change (2011 Lulu Press). Both books are available for purchase online. Call Tim Rambo at The Women's Initiative if interested in joining a group discussion series on choosing wisdom and associated topics.

TWI IN THE NEWS

The Women's Initiative and Charlottesville Free Clinic bring Integrated Care to Charlottesville....C'ville Weekly Article
In its first 5 years, Women's Initiative goes from 'an empty building' to major community resource....Daily Progress Article
Terri Allard iterviews Kerry Day, former Executive Director....Charlottesville Inside-Out Broadcast

WHAT'S NEW

EVENTS

CHALLENGE INTO CHANGE Essay Contest

INDELIBLE LALITA: film screening @ City Space

WORKSHOPS & SUPPORT GROUPS

CHALLENGE INTO CHANGE: Lunchtime Writing Workshops (NOTE NEW TIME)
LIVING WELL and JOY IS A RIGHT: New Support Groups at Jefferson School City Center

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