ABOUT WOMANFOCUS

Womanfocus is a department of Preventionfocus, Inc. and is a gender based prevention outreach service. The work we do is designed to enhance protective factors and reverse or reduce risk factors present in the lives of women and girls. Following the National Institute on Drug Abuse Prevention Principles, our workshops are presented in long term, (6-10 weeks) and interactive group sessions. Researched-based information on communication, peer relationships, self-efficacy and assertiveness is presented in a relationally dynamic forum. Outcome focused, Womanfocus recognizes that the way women and girls choose to negotiate life can have a positive or negative impact on their health. Our workshops help to raise women and girls awareness of themselves, and to introduce skills that encourage balance instead of extremes. Our goal is to challenge attitudes and behaviors in participants, that lead to the masking of feelings and to the choice of engaging in high-risk behavior such as alcohol and other drug use. Our purpose is to explore various options for leading healthy and productive lives, using the social development process and the relational learning approach.

WOMANFOCUS PROGRAMS

· Community-based Life Skills Prevention Workshops for Women offered throughout Erie County

· Professional Staff Development Training

· Supper Club Programs and Other Outreach to Adolescent Girls

· Dinner Group and Other Outreach to Young Single Moms

· Prevention Education Services for Incarcerated Women

· Prevention Education Services for Women in Recovery

· Prevention Education Services for Homeless Women

· Provider of Blue Cross/Blue Shield and Community Blue "Alive and Lively" Health Education

Program

Preventionfocus, Inc.

Womanfocus Workshop Series

*All workshops are for women and girls and facilitated by female professionals

**All workshop topics are adapted for facilitation with girls.

Special Event

Mother Daughter Escape 2004: “Getting To Know You”

@ Eastern Hills Wesleyan Church

Clarence New York

On Saturday October 30, 2004 Call for fee

Womanfocus Overview 1 (1 hour session)

No fee for service 884-3256

This one session informational presentation is ideal for Service Providers, (link to Attachment B) but not limited to them. The Womanfocus Overview introduces participants to the multifaceted prevention education we offer. Descriptions of workshops and our philosophy highlight the impact of the services we have offered women in Erie County for over 25 years.

Time Management 1 ( 2 hour session)

Fee for service call for cost 884-3256

Working with people, phones, and papers, in an ethical and effective way, can be challenging. This training will provide you with skills to establish and maintain balance through productive work habits. Following a chain of command, prioritizing your work and setting limits.

Assertiveness for Women 6 (1.5 hour sessions)

Fee for service call for cost 884-3256

Women often have trouble asking for what they want in a way that respects their rights and those of others. This workshop encourages the development of the following skills: Listening, communication, and the recognition and the setting of boundaries. Areas of learning include conflict resolution, expressing anger, giving and receiving criticism, and setting limits and saying “no”. Each session includes lecture and experimental exercises.

Dates: October 18 - November 22, 2004

Mondays 6-7:30pm area: Clarence Public Library Call for fee

Dates: January 12 - February 16, 2005

Wednesdays 6-7:30pm area: Clarence Public Library Call for fee

Healthy Relationships 7 (2 hour sessions)

Fee for service call for cost 884-3256

Relationships are vital to the lives of women. Are you curious about what it takes to have a healthy relationship? What makes a woman susceptible to poor interpersonal relationships? Come and explore the dynamics of the choices made by women. Some choices foster health while others usher in harm. We will look at the patterns of interactions that women exhibit with others, in intimate, family and work settings.

Dates: January 31 - March 14

area: Williamsville Call for fee

Understanding Anger 7 (2 hour sessions)

Fee for service call for cost 884-3256

Anger is a basic human emotion, a part of the range of feelings that we share with others. Yet women are socialized to neither feel, nor express anger. When unacknowledged and unexpressed, angry feelings surface in a variety of troublesome forms. In this workshop, participants will explore current anger patterns and will work towards an awareness of the various levels of anger. We encourage participants to implement non-violent, effective ways of dealing with negative feelings.

Self-Esteem 6 (1.5 hour sessions)

Fee for service call for cost 884-3256

Significant messages and experiences affect our general feelings of self –esteem. Confidence and feelings of self worth fluctuate. However, we can work towards maintaining a higher level of self-respect. This workshop will address some of the ways we can take better care of ourselves and challenge old assumptions that may leave us feeling inadequate.

Dates: March 21 - April 25

Mondays 12-1:15pm area: Olmsted Center Call for fee - Session includes lunch

Sober Minds…Healthy Choices 1 (1 hour session)

No Fee for service 884-3256

In this interactive, educational forum, we will explore the often unseen, unknown adverse effects of alcohol on the female body. Why does drinking affect women quicker and much more detrimentally than men? What about hormones and reproductive disorders? We find out the answers to these and many more questions concerning the dangers of alcohol on women’s health.

Minimum group # 6 girls- Maximum # 10 girls 10 (3 hour sessions)

Fee for service call for cost 884-3256

The potential impact of specific risk and protective factors change with age. Association with rebellious peers may be a more significant risk factor for adolescents than a younger child. Risk factors have different effects depending on a person’s age, gender and environment. Girls, in particular, often lack the desire and insight to develop positive relationships with other girls. The impact of changing family life can challenge the imparting of daily living skills. Coupled with the competitive atmosphere that pervades television and other media interactions between females, girls are in need of opportunities to bond. Presented at a site within the community that the girls live in, the Womanfocus Supper Club, is a place to learn kitchen safety, budgeting, nutritious meal preparation, and positive interaction with female peers. The ten-week series also includes fun activities like dance and journal writing. Certificates are issued at the end of each series.

Fee for service call for cost 884-3256

In this “101” basic, bring a friend, single session, you will learn how to knit a scarf. Supplies and needles are covered in the cost of this FUNshop!

Dates: November 18, 2004 6-8:00pm

area: Clarence Public Library Call for fee

Fee for service call for cost 884-3256

Painting for pleasure is the goal of this basic art time for beginners.

Fee for service call for cost 884-3256

Expressive reading and writing, lets the poetess in you out for a stroll.

Fee for service call for cost 884-3256

Sweet and pretty treats to eat. Cake decorating cupcake style.