SALINAS VALLEY — The Limitless Mentorship and Scholarship Program and Rotary District 5230 have announced the launch of a Women Empowerment Resource Fair to be held Saturday, May 6, in King City.
The Resource Fair, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Salinas Valley Fairgrounds at 625 Division St., is a free public event that provides information and resources for women and girls of all ages.
There will be free mental health workshops offered for both adult women and teenage girls, a free one-hour self-defense class, a workshop to learn how to style clothes for a job interview, and the opportunity for girls and women to meet with local organizations that can support them.
A women’s speaking panel will feature Monterey County District Attorney Jeannine Pacioni, Soledad Mayor Anna Velazquez and Miss Central Coast Genevieve Armendariz.
“As someone who grew up in a low-income family from Salinas, I know there are many ways in which the girls and women of Monterey County need resources and support,” Armendariz said. “From women who can’t afford menstrual hygiene products every month to girls who can’t afford to have school supplies — these are real issues that people in our county face. I’m excited to host this event where all women and girls in Monterey County are invited to learn about the resources and opportunities available to them.”
Every month 21% of women and girls in the United States cannot afford menstrual hygiene products, and teen girls are experiencing record-high levels of violence, sadness and suicide risk, according to a new CDC report.
The event will also provide resources, such as school supplies, backpacks, clothes for work, menstrual hygiene products, prom dresses, free headshot photography with a professional photographer, barbecued food, books for kids and teenagers, and more. Free bus transportation is available.
The Limitless Mentorship and Scholarship Program provides scholarships, mentorship and resources for physical and mental health for girls and young women from underserved communities in California.
For more information, visit womenarelimitless.org or contact Armendariz at in**@wo***************.org.