Regina Weston is providing a support system to the community.

Weston, the founder of the developing nonprofit Mending Hearts — Women Helping Women, is working to educate teens, women and the community about the negative effects of domestic violence.

“My objective overall is to help whoever I can,” Weston said.

Weston said the nonprofit strives to influence women and teens all over Beaufort County to become their “best selves,” whether through self-esteem workshops, goal-setting workshops or body-building workshops.

The nonprofit isn’t limited to women, though. Weston said she works directly with teen boys about dating, as well.

“I feel as if I teach them while they’re young teen men how to treat women, hopefully when they get in relationships, they will know, and they’ll know that hitting is not a factor to express yourself,” Weston said.

Weston has a strong background in advocacy, as she’s been speaking out against domestic violence since 1997. She said the idea of the nonprofit transformed slowly into a reality. In 2010, she wrote the book, “Why Couldn’t You Love Me Too?” which outlines the importance of self-love. In 2013, she started a “Mending Hearts” newsletter that featured motivational articles written by women for women, and in January of this year, the nonprofit was born.

This weekend, Weston continues her work through a self-esteem workshop, “Looking at the Woman in the Mirror.” The idea is simple — it’s a way to get girls and women to see themselves in a positive light. The workshop is for females of all ages.

Weston said she will ask participants to share the areas of their lives they feel negative about, and will be given words of affirmation in return. After the workshop, Weston will provide each individual with a small gift.

“It’s just planting a seed. They’ll say, ‘This lady told me I was worth it,’” Weston said. “Hopefully they’ll walk away feeling better about themselves.”

Weston recalled a time when a young domestic violence victim came to one of her solo workshops. Weston said she could tell something was wrong, and when the woman told her story, Weston was touched.
“It really helped my heart. She had got out of the situation, and she was so glad I was doing this. She said that it was what she needed. Everything she received on that day were things that she needed,” Weston said.

Weston said she wants this nonprofit to get rid of some of the negative things that happen in the world and shed light on the importance of positivity and self-love.

“If you treat yourself right, that will hopefully spill over to treating another person right,” Weston said.

The self-esteem workshop will be held at 153 W. Main St. in Washington on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The event is free for women of all ages.