More than 20 years ago, Krista Martel, The Well Project’s executive director, began working in the field of HIV, shortly after her sister was diagnosed with HIV. Soon after, she was fortunate to work with a women’s community-based organization, W.O.R.L.D., and leading women advocates such as The Well Project's founder, Dawn Averitt, to develop a peer-based treatment education training program for women living with HIV. It was exciting time, as the movement was working to meet the unique needs of women living with HIV, as well as recognize the value of women learning from, supporting, and advocating for one another. It was during this time that the phrase "reach one, teach one" became part of the vocabulary to describe some of these programs. Today, we are excited to use that same phrase to describe The Well Project's programs. Every day we see evidence of women becoming empowered by The Well Project's information, community, and advocacy resources. Every day those women then turn around and empower others with the knowledge, hope, and confidence they have gained.
Reach One, Teach One: The Well Project Annual Report 2015 (click to download PDF)
In 2015, The Well Project turned our focus to one of our most important goals – expanding our reach and impact. We issued our 2014 User Survey Report, which demonstrated the significant impact our programs are having on women's lives, including improvements in both their health outcomes and their quality of life. We are also excited to have had the opportunity to leverage our technology platform to provide capacity-building webinars that increase knowledge and develop advocacy skills to help women advocate for others in their communities. Other highlights from the year include expanding the depth and diversity of A Girl Like Me, as well as launching our sister blog in Spanish, Una Chica Como Yo. It is through these programs that women are learning from one another, sharing their experiences, and becoming empowered advocates—reaching one another and teaching one another. Please read on to learn more about our 2015 activities and accomplishments.
Thank you again for all you have done to support The Well Project. Together, we can change the course of the HIV epidemic…one woman at a time.
