“Building Community”

             The excitement that North Florida WomanREACH is hoping to being to North Florida, is an open environment that women can exchange life experience's as well as learning from other women within their community.  Many women have an underlying desire to connect deeper, long-lasting friendships with other women, but there may be barriers that interfere with this.  These barriers may include: unresolved issues resulting from mistreatment and abuse by previous friends, family members, sex partners and the community-at-large or the isolating and damaging effects of alcohol and other drugs, often as a form of self-medication and/or a reflection of community norms.  Awkwardness may also be a barrier due to lack of experience, low self-esteem and poor body image. 

Many of these barriers may result in doubting that such connections are possible.

North Florida WomanREACH offers women a support network that has not been available previously and will help them build a community where none existed.  WomanREACH embraces the notion that a community building project can encourage deeper, longer-lasting relationships among rural women, ensuing health benefits, with a combination of strategies, including: immersing women in an environment where relationships are modeled and expected; by providing a supportive environment for women to reveal their difficulties and successes with emotional, spiritual, physical and addictive issues; connecting women with support, treatment and care resources as needed; and supporting women in their recovery and journey toward wellness.  It is these principles that will guide North Florida WomanREACH’s planning, decision making and growth in the years to come.