A passionate advocate for trauma-informed racial equity justice and youth development programming, Jessica intends to build on this experience in the next year and continue supporting gender-based violence survivors.

Jessica Yost is a graduate student in social work and public health at UM-Ann Arbor. Jessica worked in youth development organizations for five years, and the experience is part of what motivated her to better understand how health disparities drive social inequities. Now, Jessica is pursuing MSW and MPH degrees in order to strengthen her skill set for designing effective, solutions-driven programs.

Most recently, Jessica traveled to South Africa to support the implementation of interpersonal violence prevention initiatives and address transgenerational trauma to promote positive community health outcomes. Working with the Centre for the Afterlife of Violence and the Reparative Quest (AVReQ), Jessica gained hands-on experience effectively addressing large societal problems through small, incremental interventions within the community. Specifically, under the mentorship and supervision of AVReQ Deputy Director Samantha van Schalkwyk, Jessica participated in a case study centered on Chrysalis Academy, a residential training center for young adults between the ages of 18 and 25 who are survivors of violence seeking support. There, Jessica evaluated the effectiveness of workshops designed to support the reduction of violent behaviors and promote emotional regulation.

A passionate advocate for trauma-informed racial equity justice and youth development programming, Jessica intends to build on this experience in the next year and continue supporting gender-based violence survivors through her social work field placement. Ultimately, Jessica plans to build a career designing public programs that promote behavior change, public safety, women’s empowerment, and violence prevention.

CEW+ applauds Jessica’s vision for her career and names her a Simson Family Graduate Fellow.