From Pilot to Annual Program

In November 2021, the Jackson Hole Behavioral Health Needs Assessment results indicated that Latina women experience higher rates of intimate partner violence than their white peers.

In January 2023, the Community Safety Network partnered with Voices JH, Teton Behavioral Health, and Teton County Public Health to create a new pilot program, the Latina Empowerment Circle. Utilizing the Si, Yo Puedo curriculum by Catherine Fuchsel (2018), the program is an 9-week-long learning experience promoting education on domestic violence, consent, self-esteem, parenting, and healthy relationships using a culturally relevant, strength-based framework.

The response to the pilot was profound, with a waiting list for the first course. Participants reported an increased awareness of the dynamics of domestic violence and where to seek community resources. They experienced personal growth and established support networks, praising the accessibility, clarity, and cultural relevance of the program. The Latina Empowerment Circle will be expanded in 2024 to include a second session for the pilot course and provide a curriculum for a new course.