Education & Outreach
Our Education & Outreach program aims to provide evidence-based mental health and wellness skills to our community, decrease stigma around mental health issues, and increase access to care.
In this ongoing effort we work collaboratively with partner agencies, neighborhoods, and other groups, including Sentara Martha Jefferson, Shelter for Help in Emergency, Sexual Assault Resource Agency, Westhaven, Southwood, Network2Work@PVCC, the Festival of the Book, the Blue Ridge Health District, the numerous agencies at the Jefferson School City Center, and many others. Through these partnerships we build the trust necessary to provide effective mental health treatment in our community.
Shelly Wood, LCSW, Therapist and Sister Circle Director, leads an educational workshop on mental health and wellness for Presidential Precinct participants.
Executive Director Elizabeth Irvin, LCSW, gives an educational presentation about stress, trauma, resilience, and self-care to staff of the Virginia Institute of Autism. Photo by Lawrence Garretson.
Education
The Women’s Initiative provides education on a variety of mental health topics to the public and to organizations in the community. We offer workshops that teach vital self-care and stress management skills for a variety of groups including frontline providers and communities of color.
Our staff also offer general education programs on women’s mental health and trauma-informed care. We also offer special topics within our Sister Circle program such as Emotional Emancipation and Ubuntu Healing Circle, and within our Bienestar program such as Immigrant’s and Refugee’s Mental Health.
If you are interested in having a member of The Women’s Initiative lead a workshop, give a lecture, participate on a panel, or offer any other educational service, please complete this form to share information with us or contact Paige Riddle, Therapist and Resilience Educator, at priddle@thewomensinitiative.org or (434) 872-0047 x302.
Outreach
The best way to reach people in need is to be present where they live, work, and feel most comfortable. Our outreach activities in the community—from tabling at local festivals to giving informational presentations about our work—are often the way women and members of the gender-expansive community first learn that our services exist. Our presence in these public spaces helps reduce the stigma surrounding mental health treatment and increase the likelihood that someone will access a higher level of care if needed.
If you are interested in having The Women’s Initiative participate in your community event, please contact Laura Snyder Brown, Programs Manager, at lsnyderbrown@thewomensinitiative.org or (434) 872-0047 x206.