Since October 1st 2018, over thirty participants have taken part in YOU Boston’s 2018 Fall Girl’s Group session. Led by case manager Sherley Austin, the Girl’s Group is designed to motivate, empower, and educate young woman as they navigate through their lives. In collaboration with community partners, the program delivers workshops that tackle of number of issues and subject areas including but not limited to; health and wellness, confidence building, leadership development, healthy relationships, and fun team building activities. Group members also take part in education and career exploration opportunities, and have the chance to give back to their communities through numerous community volunteer projects. While programming is tailored toward individuals who identify as female, the group also welcomes any male or gender non-binary individuals interested in taking part.
One of the most important aspects of programming, is that Girl’s Group members are given a voice in choosing the type of workshops and activities planned for each cycle– which ensures programming is well-aligned with what interests members the most. Every new group member is given a survey on their first day that asks what topics they have the most interest in, and what they would like to get out of their Girl’s Group experience. This information is then utilized by a group of regular attendees known as the Girl’s Group Leadership Committee, who vote on what activities the group should do next.
So far this year, Girl’s Group members have already accomplished a lot (see the numerous highlights below!). Moving forward for the rest of the year the group has a number of additional activities and events planned including; workshops that focus on young women and violence, sexual harassment training, and financial literacy; college visits to University of Massachusetts, Northeastern University, Spelman College, and Clark Atlanta University; volunteering at local-area hospitals and food banks; and fun group activities such as a movie night, and monthly yoga classes.
If you’d like to help support Girl’s Group programming please click here to donate today, even the smallest donation can go a long way in providing group members with new and valuable experiences.
Some of our favorite highlights from this year’s Girl’s Group:
Members volunteer at I.M.S.O Food Pantry with Mayor Marty Walsh to hand out Thanksgiving Turkeys
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Members take part in a workshop delivered by RESPOND inc. which centered on domestic violence and building healthy relationships
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Members meet Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley and Senator Elizabeth Warren, while learning about women in politics and civic engagement
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Members attend Boston Public School City-Wide College, Career, and Internship Fair
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Members attend STEM College Exploration Fair hosted by NSBE Boston Professionals and Roxbury Community College
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