Refocus on Women’s Wellness

Beginning in fall 2017, women’s wellness classes began on Thursday evenings at St. Barnabas Mission, coinciding with SPARK classes for children at the shelter.

Classes included Zumba, facilitated by our fabulous volunteer Sarah Ladd, and line dancing, a passion shared by Homeless Health Initiative's social work intern Stephanie DeVaughn.

Volunteer Stephanie Huwie, a CHOP Human Resources employee and HHI volunteer, taught sessions on the essential tools needed to obtain — and retain — employment. Her sessions included resume building, interview skills and the do’s and don’ts of being employed. Many of the mothers also used the sessions to get professional feedback from Huwie regarding past experiences with employers who discriminated against them or practiced wrongful termination. Huwie provided the women with resources on how to handle difficult situations in the workplace while always remaining professional.

CHOP nurses Mary Jo Gumbel, RN, BSN, CPN, Perianesthesia Care Unit, and Jalita Henry, BSN, RN, Cardiac Care Unit, facilitated health education workshops for women at St. Barnabas.

Jane Addams Place restarted HHI’s Women’s Wellness program in December 2017 with a workshop facilitated by Sisters R Us, a cancer survivor support organization. Founder Yvonne Florence led a discussion about breast cancer awareness, sharing her story and providing education on prevention and early detection. Women who attended the workshop were also given brochures and pamphlets on self-exams and further information on breast cancer and women’s health.