Ready to Empower Launches Women’s Mental Health Program in Guanacaste, Costa Rica with CEPIA
Building on more than a decade of work in Costa Rica, Ready to Empower has launched a new partnership in Guanacaste with nonprofit organization CEPIA, the latest recipient of the Ready Empowerment Program™ Grant, expanding access to mental health support and empowerment resources for women in underserved communities.
Earlier this year, Amanda Ready, Founder and President of Ready to Empower, and Olivia Skiffington, Vice President, traveled to Guanacaste, Costa Rica to onboard CEPIA as the newest recipient of the Ready Empowerment Program™ Grant.
The Ready Empowerment Program™ Grant supports women-focused organizations around the world by providing funding, training, and curriculum to deliver trauma-informed mental health and empowerment programs for women.
During their visit, Amanda and Olivia spent two weeks working closely with CEPIA’s dedicated team of psychologists and staff to train them on implementing the Ready Empowerment Program™. The program provides a holistic model that combines free individual therapy, group empowerment workshops, and education on topics such as anxiety, self-esteem, healthy relationships, and personal rights.
CEPIA, a nonprofit organization based in Guanacaste, has a strong track record of serving vulnerable communities through education, psychology, and family support programs. Their commitment to empowering women through mental health services made them a natural partner for Ready to Empower.
As a result of this partnership, the first cohort of 24 women in Costa Rica is now participating in the Ready Empowerment Program™, receiving free mental health support and empowerment resources through CEPIA.
Each participant receives weekly individual therapy and weekly group empowerment workshops over the course of a 20-week program, providing consistent mental health support, education, and tools designed to help women strengthen their confidence, improve their well-being, and build healthier futures.
The onboarding experience was both inspiring and energizing. The CEPIA team’s passion for supporting women and strengthening their community was evident throughout the training and collaboration.
While in Costa Rica, Olivia also recorded a short video conversation with Laetitia Deweer, CEPIA’s Founder and Director of Development & Strategy, discussing the importance of the partnership and the impact the program will have on women in the community. See Below:
This collaboration represents Ready to Empower’s commitment to expanding global access to mental health support and women’s empowerment programs through partnerships with trusted local organizations.
None of this would be possible without the support of our incredible community of donors and supporters. Your belief in this mission helps bring mental health resources and empowerment opportunities to women who need them most.
About CEPIA
CEPIA (Culture, Education and Psychology for Infants and Adolescents) is a nonprofit organization based in Guanacaste, Costa Rica. The organization works to break cycles of poverty through programs focused on education, psychology, culture, and community development for children, adolescents, and families. https://cepiacostarica.org/