About GEMS
Girls & Guys Exercising Mindful Solutions (GEMS) was founded by Whitley English, a passionate advocate for empowerment, healing, and systemic change. As a survivor of domestic violence and a witness to the failures of an unjust legal system, Whitley’s journey highlighted a critical gap in her community’s capacity to provide support, advocacy, and meaningful resources for individuals facing similar challenges.
With a mission to address these inequities, GEMS focuses on generating empowerment through holistic and mindful solutions. Whitley brings her extensive experience as a North Carolina Community Health Worker with specialized training in violence prevention, certified Reiki practitioner, and holder of over 40 certifications in trauma and resilience to the forefront of this initiative. Above all, she identifies as a healer for humanity, dedicated to raising collective consciousness to its highest vibration.
Whitley D. English
CHW-VPP, Holistic Wellness Facilitator
Her work concentrates on providing direct services to individuals at risk or impacted by violence and abuse, fostering resilience and offering pathways to healing. In addition to her direct services, Whitley actively advocates for addressing all social determinants of health, recognizing their profound impact on individual and community well-being. She believes it is vital to hold systems and organizations accountable to ensure equitable and effective solutions.
Through GEMS, Whitley is dedicated to creating a safe and inclusive space where advocacy meets action, ensuring that no one has to face their journey alone.
What Is a Community Health Worker?
"A Community Health Worker (CHW) is a frontline public health worker who is a trusted member of and/or has an unusually close understanding of the community served. This trusting relationship enables the worker to serve as a liaison/link/intermediary between health/social services and the community to facilitate access to services and improve the quality and cultural competence of service delivery. A community health worker also builds individual and community capacity by increasing health knowledge and self-sufficiency through a range of activities such as outreach, community education, informal counseling, social support and advocacy."
-- American Public Health Association Community Health Workers. Published 2009.
Read a feature about Whitley and WNCGEMS on the MHO website.
Read a feature about Whitley in the November-December 2024 issue of The Envoy Guide (starts on Page 16).
Read a feature about Whitley in the November-December 2023 issue of The Envoy Guide (starts on Page 6).
NOTE: Please help support The Envoy Guide with a paid subscription! This is an important local resource in Western North Carolina that gives inclusivity and voice in media to the diverse people in the region.
Whitley is also a contributing writer for The Envoy!
Volunteering
The following are organizations to which GEMS has contributed volunteer efforts in an official capacity.
