In November, the Catalina Island Women’s Forum held its Annual Alumni Panel inside the Catalina Island Museum, bringing together former Avalon students at many different stages of life. Their shared experiences offered honest insight and inspiration, reminding our mentees that there are many paths forward and a community that continues to support them.
The Catalina Island Women’s Forum is a year-long mentoring program that supports girls in grades 9 through 12 as they prepare for college, careers, and life beyond high school. At the heart of the program is mentorship, connecting young women with dedicated community members who generously share their time, experiences, and guidance.
Through monthly gatherings from September through May, students engage directly with local women mentors who lead discussions on goal setting, life skills, leadership, wellness, and career readiness. These face to face conversations allow mentors to share lived experience, offer guidance, and build relationships that help students feel supported, capable, and connected to the women who make up this community.
The Catalina Island Women’s Forum formed in 1995 with the goal of directly impacting the Catalina community. Since then, it has mentored hundreds of young women, with goals that include advancing educational opportunities, and service for a resilient, more inclusive Catalina Island, according to their vision statement.
For more on the organization, visit theciwf.org.
