Magnolia Project hosts Emory University students to volunteer and learn about women’s health issues

Twelve female students from Emory University in Atlanta embarked with Volunteer Emory on a spring break field trip to the Coalition’s Magnolia Project to volunteer for two events and learn about health disparities in women’s health.

On March 11, our Magnolia event honored National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day which was the day prior. On March 13, Thank My Lucky Stars ~ I’m On Birth Control highlighted the importance of planning to prevent unplanned pregnancies.

The Emory students provided presentations and games on each topic which they researched months beforehand. They also provided nail polish, makeup and candy for those who interacted with them.

CAN Community Health came both days to provide guests with free HIV and Hepatitis C testing. The King Street Co-Op at Florida School of Holistic Health provided gift certificates for classes at their studio to go in with CAN promotional materials in a prize basket to be raffled off to all those who received testing.

While the students took the opportunity to make a special trip to Jacksonville, we wanted to ensure they left with a solid understanding of infant mortality and how to improve birth outcomes.

Representatives from CAN taught the ladies about HIV/Hep C testing, condom use and safe sex practices. Angela O’Donnell, executive community health director of nursing with the Florida Department of Health Duval County, taught on women’s health issues including breastfeeding, postpartum depression and toxic stress. Magnolia Project staff taught them about women’s health, social determinants of health and different issues families face in the community.

The Coalition is grateful to be chosen by the Emory University students as an organization tackling women’s health issues in the community.