Cultivating Young Women Leaders in Northern CA

Cultivating Young Women Leaders of Northern California Success Story

Women’s Health Specialists of Redding continues to work with young women in our community. WHS wants to share a very special success story about one of these powerful young women that is making a difference on our community.

Ariel first became involved with Women’s Health Specialists as a student through Shasta College’s “Community Service Learning Program”. She became an intern at Women’s Health Specialists and found her passion. She attended one of our “Young Women Leaders Trainings”, her journey continued. She enrolled in a Gender Studies Class during her last year at Shasta College. Ariel made the decision to transfer to UC Santa Cruz to complete a Bachelor of Arts degree in Feminist Studies, with an emphasis in Culture, Power and Representation. She also volunteered with the LGBT Center’s Q-Spot, a youth respite program.  Women’s Health Specialists staff kept in contact and gave support and input during this part of her journey.

Ariel moved back to Redding with passions and wiliness to make a difference here in her community. WHS was glad to have her back to help inspire and support other young women in Redding.

Ariel was accepted in Women’s Health Specialists “Peer Prevention Education Project”, and became an outstanding peer educator and outreach worker regarding, removing the barriers to reproductive health among her peers in our community. With emphasis on decreasing STI rates in Shasta County.

Ariel also began volunteering for NorCal OUTreach Program here in Redding and bought her newly learned knowledge back to our other peer educators, staff, and clients. Her involvement encouraged our other young women to become involved in many community events and education sessions.

Ariel, along with the support of her peers and WHS staff, continue to educate young women with knowledge and life skill tools.  Young women are continually supported to increase self-confidence and hone their leadership abilities.  Women’s Health Specialists in Redding had an opening for a new staff member and Ariel applied. She is now a Health Worker in training!

Women’s Health Specialist are planning on providing more” Young Women’s Leadership Trainings “after January 2017. Ariel, and other young women will continue to provide information to peers, friends, and community members with the message Educate, Empower, Lead, & Change.

With your on-going support these success stories will only grow. Young women will continue to educate, empower, and support a positive future in the field of reproductive health care for all.