The Illawarra Women’s Health Centre will return its Young Women’s Program to local schools after a $5,000 donation from Zonta Club of Shellharbour and Kiama helped revive the initiative following the loss of funding last year.
The funding will allow the Centre to deliver workshops on healthy relationships, sexual health and contraception to Year 9 students at Lake Illawarra High School, as well as students in the Outreach Class and the NASCA Young Women’s Academy at Kanahooka High School.
Centre Coordinator Bonnie Comber said the donation would allow the Centre to continue delivering important health education to young women in the Illawarra.
“This generous support from Zonta Club of Shellharbour and Kiama means we can take the program back into schools and provide young women with accurate, evidence-based information about healthy relationships, sexual health and well-being. We’re incredibly grateful for their investment in young women in our community.”
The Young Women’s Program has long been a cornerstone of the Centre’s health promotion work, creating safe, inclusive spaces where young women can ask questions, challenge myths and develop practical skills to support healthy relationships and positive health outcomes.
At Kanahooka High School, the program will be delivered to students in the Outreach Class and the NASCA Young Women’s Academy, a pioneering initiative supporting the cultural, academic, social and wellbeing needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young women.
The Centre will also work with Year 9 students at Lake Illawarra High School, providing practical, age-appropriate education on topics that are often difficult for young people to discuss elsewhere.
“This partnership ensures the Centre can continue delivering early intervention and prevention programs that empower young women with the knowledge, confidence and support they need to make informed choices and build respectful, healthy relationships,” Ms Comber said.
You can donate to the Illawarra Women’s Health Centre here.