Event Description
HerPath Community of Practice - Healthy Relationships
Supporting Justice-Impacted and At-Risk Girls
The HerPath Community of Practice (CoP) brings together Educators, Juvenile Court Counselors, Social Workers, community-based practitioners, and helping professionals who are committed to better serving girls who are at risk of or impacted by the juvenile justice system. Adolescent females, especially girls of color, often experience layered challenges related to trauma, violence, poverty, and system involvement. As the fastest-growing justice-involved population in the United States, girls need supports that are relational, culturally responsive, and grounded in healing.
This Community of Practice creates space to learn, reflect, and connect with others doing this work. Each session includes a brief share-out from the MESD HerPath Team on ongoing group work using One Circle Foundation’s Girls Circle curriculum with middle and high school girls, followed by focused learning with experienced community partners. Sessions are designed to strengthen trauma-informed, relationship-centered practices that support safety, agency, and long-term well-being for girls.
The HerPath Community of Practice is offered as a three-session learning series, with each session focusing on a different topic related to supporting justice-impacted and at-risk girls. Participants are welcome to register for the full series or attend individual sessions based on their interests, role, or availability. While sessions are designed to stand alone, attending multiple sessions offers a deeper opportunity to build skills, strengthen shared language, and connect with a community of practitioners doing this work across systems.
All sessions will take place at Multnomah Education Service District from 12-4pm. Register for each session individually.
February 11th - Motivational Interviewing with Dr. Crawford
March 19th - Healthy Relationships with New Day
April 7th - Implementing Trauma Informed Care with Daphne Vaughn, MSW
Healthy Relationships
Presenters: Sadie Carpenter & Raelynn Hernandez, New Avenues – New Day Program
This session focuses on healthy relationships through a trauma-informed and prevention-focused lens. Facilitated by staff from New Avenues’ New Day Program, the session centers the experiences of youth ages 12–25 who are experiencing or at risk of sex trafficking, exploitation, or other vulnerabilities.
Presenters will explore how unhealthy relationship dynamics can show up in young people’s lives and share strategies for supporting youth in building boundaries, safety, and connection—while maintaining respect for youth autonomy.
This session will highlight:
- Recognizing signs of exploitation and unhealthy relationships
- Trauma-informed ways to talk about safety and boundaries
- Community resources that support youth stability, safety, and healing
Speaker Bios: Raelynn Hernandez (she/her) is the New Day Program Manager. Raelynn came to New Day after working for the Trevor Project and spending time as a Bridge 13 Trainer- providing LGBTQIA2S+ trainings to CBOs and business throughout Portland, Oregon.
Sadie Carpenter (she/they) is the New Prevention and Education Specialist for Sex Trafficking a New Avenues for Youth. Working closely with community stakeholders to provide prevention curriculum, training, and groups for youth throughout Multnomah county, Sadie brings a wealth of lived and professional experience to her approach with sex trafficked youth.
Join us if you are a Teacher, School Counselor, Social Worker, Case Manager, youth worker, Juvenile Court Counselors, or community partner who interfaces with girls navigating system involvement, trauma, or instability. Whether you are looking to deepen your skills, reflect on your own practice, or build connections with others in the field, the HerPath Community of Practice offers practical tools, shared learning, and a supportive community committed to doing this work together.
4 PDUs and sub reimbursements are available for educators.
Note for non-district employees: When registering for this event select your ‘ESD / Region’ as MESD and your ‘District’ as Other.
