C.C. Reeves Third Year Double Major in Criminal Justice and Biology She/Her/Hers
How did I get involved with IMPACT? I got involved with IMPACT my freshman year when I signed up for the Bluefield, WV trip that focused on child empowerment. Call it fate, but being in that town, serving in those specific non-profits, with my particular IMPACT group opened a part of myself I didn’t know existed and blazoned a fire in my heart for social justice that finally gave me permission to explore my passions. Before Bluefield, I feared the word passion. To me, following your passion equated being penniless and brokenhearted. But, Bluefield was magic and ultimately changed the course of my life. After returning to Athens, I surveyed my life and challenged myself to find my passions. One of the biggest one’s I uncovered was my love for HIV. So, my second year I strategically chose to go on the Memphis, TN trip which focused on HIV/AIDS Awareness. For the first time my college experiences started to align. From my majors (Criminal Justice and Biology) to my greater life purpose (to be an Infectious Disease physician), IMPACT helped me find myself and I am excited to continue my journey of discovery by leading my first trip to Birmingham, AL.
Why am I interested in my trip focus? Health has always played a major role in my life, beginning at the age of five when my grandmother experienced kidney decline and had to be placed on dialysis. Still, it was not until I got to college that I realized the complexities of medicine and the discrepancy in treatment one faces in hospitals and the greater health system depending on the identities one holds. As a double major in Criminal Justice and Biology I am always excited when the two overlap. I hope to use my experiences on this trip to gain a broader perspective of health as it applies to underserved communities. I later hope to use that knowledge to reconstruct the medical field for the betterment of socially non dominant groups.
Fun fact? I love SOAP OPERAS
Contact Email: ccr91773@uga.edu Phone: 678-972-8212 Let's get coffee!
Brian Woolfolk Third Year Computer Science Major He/Him/His
How did I get involved with IMPACT? Unfortunately, I did not attend an Impact trip my freshman year, but many of my close friends did! They all loved their trips and recommended that I participate the next year. During my sophomore year, I had an amazing time on the Shelter and Resource Access trip to Charlotte, North Carolina. I was able to learn a lot about a topic that I thought I was already well versed on, as well as start many friendships that have continued on to today. Now I am super excited to be even more involved with Impact this year!
Why am I interested in my trip focus? We live in a world where the needs of men are prioritized over women in most aspects of life, especially in health. Many men do not know or even care about the ways that the healthcare system continuously fails women. I hope to become more educated on this topic and to do my part as an ally.
Fun fact? I have never eaten a banana!
Contact Feel free to reach out to me! :) Email:woolfolkbj@uga.edu Phone: 470-809-3232
About Our Trip's Focus!
Overview The Women's Health Trip to Birmingham, AL is centered around giving its participants a holistic review of women's health. Often times women's health is summed to mean only certain health specialties/services that are utilized predominantly by women (e.g. OB/GYN, Maternal Health). We plan to abolish this myth by exploring all aspects of a female's wellbeing, ranging from mental health to homelessness and reproductive rights. Women's health intersects with all branches of medicine and is uniquely affected by various social injustices (e.g. poverty). We will explore all of these and more during our time in Birmingham!
Women have unique health issues, many of which serve as a double edged swords. Women are susceptible to certain diseases that only affect females as well as diseases that affect both men and women (several of which women have increased risk factors for). For example, Endometriosis (a disorder in which tissue that normally lines the inside of your uterus — the endometrium — grows outside your uterus) increases women's risk of developing coronary artery disease, making women 400 times more likely to develop heart disease. Women are also more likely to experience adverse effects with drugs (e.g women who regularly drink are more likely to experience brain damage and cancer). Women are more commonly affected by mental illnesses such as depression and anxiety. They also have higher rates of strokes, autoimmune disorders, and osteoporosis. But despite women making up just over half of the U.S. population, they have been treated as a neglected minority population in terms of health care.
Healthy women lead to healthy economies and also to healthy societies. Women make 80% of the healthcare decisions for their families, which means that investing in women’s health is also the key to building healthier families and communities. As women move forward, the world moves forward with them.
Key Terms
Reproductive Health: The diseases, disorders, and conditions that affect the functioning of the reproductive systems during all stages of life
Mental Health: Our emotional, psychological, and social well being. It affects how we think, feel, and act. It also helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others, and make choices.
Sexually Transmitted Infections: An infection transmitted through sexual contact, caused by bacteria, viruses, or parasites.
Maternity Leave: A period of absence from work granted to a mother before and after the birth of her child.
Noncommunicable Diseases: Also known as chronic diseases, tend to be of long duration and are the result of a combination of genetic, physiological, environmental. and behavioral factors. Can be addressed by helping girls and women adopt healthy lifestyles early on.
Domestic Violence: Violent or aggressive behavior within the home, typically involving the violent abuse of a spouse or partner. Today, one in three women under 50 has experienced physical and/or sexual violence by a partner, or non-partner sexual violence.
Get Involved in Athens! Period at UGA https://uga.campuslabs.com/engage/organization/ugaperiod Work with local homeless shelters and community centers to provide menstrual products and health education to those in need across Athens-Clarke County.
Freedom From Bondage https://www.freedomfrombondage.com A non-profit organization that operates a women's residence for recovery from alcohol and/or drug dependency. Provides a safe, sober, stabilizing environment for women with substance abuse problems.
Project Safe https://www.project-safe.org/ A non-profit organization working to end violence against women through prevention and educational programs, crisis intervention, and support services for survivors of domestic violence and their children.
PALS http://www.palsathens.org/ Partnering Ambassadors for Life and Service is a non-profit Christian service organization that develops and conducts educational and job skills classes to equip adult women to gain stable employment.
General PACKING LIST Required: NO hardback suitcases! Toothbrush/paste and other basic toiletries Warm jacket Clothes (jeans, coat, sweaters, pajamas, long sleeves, undergarments, socks, gloves, hat etc.) Some clothes that can get dirty 3 Casual dinner outfits (nice shirt/sweater with jeans/pants type) Closed-toed shoes Shower stuff and Towel (Shower shoes, shampoo, soap, etc) Feminine hygiene products, if necessary Reusable water bottle Sleeping bag and pillow Cash for Travel Meals (approximately $20) Sunglasses (especially if a driver) Phone Charger Any regular medications Driver's license / Passport (Only passport if international, but must have form of identification) UGA ID
Suggested: Personal Snacks (we will provide snacks as well) Auxiliary cord/ bluetooth speaker for van music (only if you already have one!) Reusable Lunch Box Cough Drops Allergy Medication
Schedule Overview Saturday (12/14) - Leave for Birmingham (9:00 am) - Lunch at Wendy's (12 pm) - Arrive at Housing Site ( 1 pm) -Shop at Aldi (3 pm) - Group Activity (4:15) -Dinner at Housing Site ( 6:00 pm) - Reflect (7 pm) -Shower (8 pm) - Sleep (9 pm)
Sunday (12/15) - Wake up (8: 15 am) -Cultural Exploration (9:15 -11:45) -Lunch at Ingram Park 11:45 -Cultural Exploration (12:30 - 3:35) - Down Time(4 pm) -Watch Documentary (6 pm) -Dinner at Housing Site (7 pm) - Reflect (8 pm) -Shower (9 pm) - Sleep (10 pm)
Monday (12/16) -Wake up (7:15) -One Place (9:00 - 1:00) -Lunch at Housing Site (1:30) -Girls Inc (3:00 - 6:00) -Dinner at Housing Site (6:30) -Reflect (8 pm) - Shower (9 pm) -Sleep (10 pm)
Tuesday (12/17) -Wake up (8 am) -King's Home (11-2) -Lunch on the go ( 2 pm) -Pathways (3-6) -Dinner at Housing Site (7 pm) -Reflect (8:30 pm) -Shower (9:30 pm) -Sleep (10:30 pm)
Wednesday (12/18) -Wake up (7:15) -Shepherd (9:00-2) -Lunch at the Housing Site ( 2:30 pm) -Down Time (3:30) -Dinner at Housing Site (7:30 pm) -Reflect (9 pm) -Shower (10 pm) - Sleep (11 pm)
Thursday (12/19) -Wake up (8:15) - Salvation Army (10-1) -Taj India (1:30 - 2:30) -Down Time (3:30) -Dinner at Housing Site (6:30) -Reflect (8 pm) -Shower (9 pm) -Sleep (10 pm)
Friday (12/20) -Wake up (8:15) -Salvation Army (10-1) -Lunch at Housing Site (1 pm) -Down Time (2:20) -Dinner at Housing Site (6:30) -Reflect (8 pm) -Shower (9 pm) -Sleep (10 pm)
Saturday (12/21) -Wake up (8:15) -Leave for UGA (9:15) -Wendy's (12 pm) - Return to UGA (3pm)