Shelley*

Hey people! My name is Shelley and I was born on the island of St. Croix. St. Croix is one of the four islands that make up the United States Virgin Islands. Even though I was born here, my roots take me back to the island of Trinidad. I spent most of my life growing up on St. Croix, until I graduated from high school and left for college. I attended the University of Tampa, where I attained a bachelor of science degree in criminology in May 2000.

After I graduated, I returned home and was employed at a crisis center that helps women who are victims of domestic violence and sexual assault. There, I worked as an outreach worker to teens. However, I am currently working with a nonprofit organization that works to increase community awareness of and provide help to people living with HIV/AIDS. I function as a youth outreach worker and I really enjoy it. The work grants me the opportunity to give back to my community and to work with many diverse groups of people. I teach at different junior and senior high schools, trying to educate kids primarily about safer sex, peer pressure, sexually transmitted infections, and any other topic that may arise at the time. I particularly take pleasure in working with this age group, because they are fun to work with and I can really learn a lot from teenagers.

I also find much enjoyment by traveling to different places, learning about different cultures, and meeting new people. I really like playing sports, such as basketball and softball. I love adventure and am always up for doing something new and spontaneous.
Well there you have it people………..this is me, Shelley, a young Virgin Islander who appreciates people, values life, and loves helping and meeting new people.

I was first introduced to MySistahs when my supervisor gave me the application to become an online peer educator. I visited the Web site and really appreciate what it is doing for young people. I then became more interested in the program because I felt it would be a good opportunity to be able to help other young women of color. I believe that many issues plague young women of color, and I would really like to help in any way that I can. Since I have been a youth outreach worker, I have come in contact with so many young women who are confused about how their body functions and what behaviors can and can’t put them at risk for getting pregnant or contracting a sexually transmitted infection. For this reason, I chose to become an online peer educator for young women who need to confide in or talk to someone who won’t judge them and who can offer necessary help.

There is not one particular issue I would like to focus on, rather I believe that are many issues that afflict young women therefore, I am willing to focus on whatever topic is important to you.

Until I hear from you ……………….peace!

* Shelley is a former peer educator with MySistahs. The information above was from when she was a peer educator. It is no longer updated.

>> Back to Peer Educators