Peer Educators Funded by DPH and The Gillette Company

Since September 2003, three teams of women, trained by the YWCA as educators about breast and cervical health, have conducted 19 peer education sessions reaching more than 120 other women across the Northeast region. Fifteen additional sessions and another peer training are scheduled for March.

These exceptional women are Peer Educators, a grassroots group of 36 concerned and motivated women from eight different countries who are helping other women -- especially uninsured women -- to learn about cancer screenings.

The Peer Educator Program is funded in large part by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health’s Women’s Health Network and follows their guidelines to link eligible uninsured women to free cancer screenings.

The YWCA is working with Karen Hanley of the YWCA of Lowell and Nancy Peña of the YWCA of Newburyport to recruit, train and support educators from throughout the Northeast region, with special attention on the target communities of Amesbury, Everett, Gloucester, Haverhill, Lawrence, Lowell, Lynn, Medford, Peabody, Salem and Salisbury.

“The peer educators reflect a wide spectrum of ethnic and professional backgrounds,” said YWCA Women’s Health Advocacy Director, Vilma Lora. “But they all bring with them important connections. We have trained journalists, community activists, church leaders, political activists, social service providers and neighborhood leaders. They are dedicated to educating women about the importance of cancer screening.”

The program is also supported by a substantial award from The Gillette Company and by the efforts of local leaders, including Lawrence Mayor Michael J. Sullivan, who convened the Mayor’s Health Task Force to include a focus on breast health; Blanca Figueroa of the Amercican Cancer Society, who links educators to presentation materials and other supports; salon owner Cristina Lopez, who has provided rewards for the educators, and Dr. Giordano Encarnación, retired, who is reaching out to women on the North Shore, and Merrimack College volunteer Stephanie Schmitt.

Other funders supporting the local work of the program include the Susan G. Komen Foundation / Boston Affiliate, The Lenny Fund and Wyeth.

Applications are now being accepted for the next training, scheduled for March 27, 2004.

Peer Educators receive a stipend for each educational session they host and money to cover refreshments, child care or transportation needs to help participants overcome barriers to attendance. For information or to make a donation, contact Program Coordinator Minerva Grullon at 978-687-0331 x32.

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