Health department offers pampering, health education event for women, girls
By Jessica Tuggle
jtuggle@hometownnewsol.com
GIFFORD - A free women and teen girls health and beauty event is planned for this weekend.
The Indian River County Health Department and other partners will bring "It's Your Time," a women and girls day of pampering and health education, to the Gifford Youth Activity Center on Nov. 3 from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
This is the second time the event has been hosted in Indian River County and organizers hope it will be even better attended than last year.
John May, county health department HIV/AIDS coordinator, said the free event will include breakfast and lunch, health screenings, beauty vendors and presenters.
The presenters will address risky behaviors that affect some women and girls and what they can do to help themselves.
"If you're in it, how to get out of it, and if you're not in it, how to stay out of it," Mr. May said.
Dawn Jones, HIV/AIDS program director for District 15, said the event brings together different pieces of the equation of women's issues in today's world.
HIV/AIDS awareness and education is the driving force behind the event, but the other topics of discussion often are also important to hear about and bring to the front of discussion, Ms. Jones said.
Conversation points on teen pregnancy prevention, wellness and nutrition, parent involvement, gangs and bullying, dating, domestic and sexual violence, will be included in the summit.
"We find that in the HIV/AIDS world these other topics happen daily," Ms. Jones said.
Hazel Hoylman will bring an interactive and engaging presentation to women, 18 and older, about parenting, Ms. Jones said.
Other speakers will be from the Indian River County Sheriff's Office, the local medical community and the county health department.
"Domestic violence is a big issue nationally, a big issue everywhere," said Shirley Rosemond, victim assistance coordinator for the Indian River County Sheriff's Office.
"It's something that should not be taken lightly. It is something that people have a tendency to cover up, but we have to make sure it stays in the forefront," she said.
Females are the typical victims of domestic violence, but on occasion, there is a male victim and the female is the batterer, whether it's physical, verbal or emotional abuse.
"If anyone knows someone dealing with a domestic violence issue, it's important that you don't just turn their head, because it could easily be your mother, your sister, your grandmother," Ms. Rosemond said.
For more information, call Mr. May at (772) 794-7477.