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About GEMS

Girls & Guys Exercising Mindful Solutions (GEMS) was founded by Whitley English. A survivor of domestic violence, and mistreated at the hands of an unjust legal system when she sought protection, Whitley realized that her community lacked capacity to provide help, support, or advocacy for women in similar situations. She has worked as a peer support specialist, and is also a community health worker, concentrating on direct services for women at-risk or victims of violence and abuse.

Whitley D. English

Whitley sits on the Board of Directors for Just Economics. She is a North Carolina Community Health Worker, Peer Support Specialist, and Recovery Coach trained in trauma awareness & resilience skills. Whitley works with the City of Asheville for affordable housing as part of the residents' engagement roundtable. She is also on the committee for Project Cara, and is a community advocate for the Asheville Area Habitat for Humanity. She holds First and Second Degree Reiki Practitioner Certification, is trained in Foundations of Motivational Interviewing, and is a Level 1 Certified Sound Healer.

Read a feature about Whitley in the November-December 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.

Witley is also a contributing writer for The Envoy!

Listen to a Solutions for the Underaffiliated podcast featuring an interview with Whitley, Domestic Violence: One Woman’s Familiar Story with the Justice System (4/13/2023).

"We talked to a victim of domestic abuse about how her experience with the justice system led her to healing and help for others. We need to change the system, not continue to blame victims and leave them to heal themselves alone." - Eric J. Carrig

Watch the following 2-part interview, Domestic Violence Up Close: Whitley's Story, with The Asheville View's Kahlani Jackson where Whitley recounts her experience and reflects on how it's changed her.

Domestic Violence Up Close: Whitley's Story: Part 1

Domestic Violence Up Close: Whitley's Story: Part 2

Partner Organizations

GEMS partners with several organizations that promote violence prevention, empowerment of marginalized populations, resilience and healing. Some key partners include:

Volunteering

The following are organizations to which GEMS has contributed volunteer efforts in an official capacity.