Cultivating Young Women Leaders in Northern CA

Peer Education Works! 

In July, we held another successful Youth Peer Educator Prevention Training in Redding, California. Eight young women from various backgrounds were selected from the community to participate. Young women learned about the various forms of birth control methods, removing barriers to accessing services, STI/HIV transmission and prevention.  They engaged in activities and real conversations about sexual and reproductive health and learned how to have conversations with their peers and connect them to services. Through role play and group presentations participants had coversations that broke down the barriers most youth face with accessing services and developed an idea of healthy and positive responses. 

After reviewing our pre and post surveys as well as evaluations forms that were filled out the training was a huge success! These young women shared how much they appreciate WHS organization and opportunity to connect and have real conversations about sex. Each young woman had an opportunity to share a word that reflected how they felt after the training and those words included, excited, powerful, happy, fun, grateful, and strong. Many participants shared they would like to see more trainings like these happening in the community. 

Upon completing the Peer Prevention Training individuals were given the opportunity to continue their peer leadership and work with WHS. Five of the eight young women were selected to continue. So far these ladies have participated in on foot outreach connecting their peers to clinic services. These young women are taking on leadership roles of tabling at community events, co-presenting at community organizations and networking at local community gatherings. This program is providing an opportunity for young women to connect to their community, find their power and strength in themselves and share that with others.

We are excited to offer this unique project to young women in Northern California. These young women will be inspired to create a network of positive relationships and connections among youth peers, adults, local organizations and community groups. At the end of the project they will have gained confidence, the power they need to make alliances with women, reproductive health care information and become positive, productive forces in their communities.