NAPPANEE —
Local Boys & Girls Clubs have implemented programs to allow girls to be — unselfconsciously — girls.
But not just any girls. Health-conscious girls with self-esteem and problem solving skills. Girls who are kind and care for one another. And girls with goals.
The Girls in Focus initiative is under way at all four Boys & Girls Clubs — Goshen, Nappanee, Middlebury and Elkhart.
In January, club officials brought together key female community members to participate in the launch of the program. A Girls in Focus Summit was held in Elkhart in March, with community members, club staff and members of the media in attendance.
After the joint summit, the staff at each club tailored programming for girls that met the unique needs of each community.
The goal, said Nappanee Associate Executive Director Holly Yoder, is not to exclude boys or reduce any programming directed at both genders.
“We are here for boys and girls,” said Yoder, who coordinates the Girls in Focus program.
She said the Girls in Focus programs are designed to fill voids that were revealed when the girls at all clubs completed surveys on different issues.
The survey given in February indicated that among female club members, 89 percent don’t know what to do when they are mad or sad and 44 percent have no male role models in their lives. The top stressors were identified as relational issues with boys and/or parents, drugs and alcohol, peer pressure and school issues.
But the survey also indicated the girls do have hopes, dreams and goals. Basketball, law, marine biology, teaching, ballet, forestry, medicine, contracting, veterinary, teaching and medicine are just a sampling of the career goals the girls expressed.
Yoder said the program is designed to help girls grow to meet their goals. Collaborators came up with programming that included bully prevention, healthy food choices, exercise, etiquette, cautions for Facebook and texting, personal finances, car maintenance (a program given by a female mechanic), girls-only discussion groups and other social activities for girls only.
At the Nappanee club, girls-only volleyball, girls-only gym time and girls-only cooking were implemented. Janet Nevills, owner and instructor of Ladies Fitness Zone in LaPorte spent a day teaching the girls about healthy body image, good food and snack choices and that exercise can be fun. Girls also were treated to facials.
Club member Karina Bauer, 10, said she loves the programs, especially cooking and art.
“It’s fun hanging out with girls only, not so much rowdy boys,” she said.
Bauer said she learned a lot about what kind of snacks are healthy in the Fitness Zone class.
“If you eat king size,” she said, “it can make you king size.”
A self-defense class led by a Nappanee police officer is on the horizon and girls-only art time was also started.
This past Tuesday, the girls were making flower pencils, which were then used to write out their goals. One young lady wanted to be a model or a spy.
“There is a comfort level there,” Yoder said of the girls-only programs. “They are able to be more expressive.”
Art Director Brittney Lafferty said she also sees the girls participate more freely and express themselves more.
“When it is just girls, they like to sing.” she said. “(Recently) we took turns singing their favorite songs.”
The art class focuses on being creative — finding things around the house to recycle into art.
“We also try to do things to build friendships,” Lafferty said.
One partner activity was to take miscellaneous mystery items from a bag and create something artistic.
“Relationship-building is very important,” Lafferty said.
Yoder said the programs were designed by staff to create a sense of camaraderie in girls.
“We want girls to learn to be kind to each other — to build that rapport at a young age,” Yoder said. “You know, things are hard enough and to not have good friendships or support can make life difficult.”
Breaking News
Related Photos
-
Carolina McGee, back, Gabby Peters, Art Director Brittney Lafferty and Lindsay Peterson work on flower pencils at the Nappanee Boys & Girls Club. The Girls Art Class is one of the programs of Girls In Focus. Monica Joseph | The Goshen News
GIRL POWER
Boys and Girls Club officials launch Girls in Focus initiative to strengthen self esteem
- Breaking News
-
-
Duty changes with birth of LaGrange soldier's son
Usually when people think of American veterans they think of men in uniform. More often today, than in yesteryear, the veteran is a woman. In tune with the times, the military has made accommodations for this increase in female recruits.
-
Fairfield graduates ready for the next step
Fairfield High School held its 44th commencement Friday night in its school gymnasium, handing out 145 diplomas.
-
Westview seniors graduate Friday night
Westview High School held its 46th commencement Friday night in its school gymnasium, handing out 97 diplomas.
-
RV shipments up in April
Wholesale shipments of recreational vehicles rose 9.8 percent in April compared to the same month in 2011.
-
UPDATE: Police release names of two killed in Bristol motorcycle crash
Two Elkhart residents were killed Friday night when the motorcycle they were riding crashed along Ind. 15 as they fled police.
-
Police probe possible fatal crash near Bristol
Elkhart County rescue crews responded to a possible double fatal traffic crash on Ind. 15 just south of C.R. 112 at 9:13 p.m. Friday night. Ind. 15 was closed to non-emergency traffic and a Samaritan medical helicopter landed at the scene to assist with rescue efforts.
- Crews respond to possible double fatal crash south of Bristol
-
Goshen teen who shot himself Tuesday arrested for using sawed-off gun in robbery
A 17-year-old male recently admitted to IU Health Goshen Hospital for a self-inflicted gunshot wound has been arrested in connection with the robbery of a BP gas station in Goshen this past Sunday.
-
Wild phlox can be found this time of year
Nature’s bounty can sometimes produce unexpected beauty in the form of wildflowers that can pop up anywhere and everywhere. They can be some of the most exhilarating because of the unusual colors, the delicacy of the blossoms, or simply their choice of location to grow.
-
Rinker Foundation donates $5,000 for new ‘learning’ toys
SYRACUSE — The kids are happy. The teachers are excited. The director is pleased. Best of all, at Lakeland Learning Center is using new educational toys to prepare preschoolers to hit the ground running in kindergarten.
- More Breaking News Headlines
-
Jimmy Carter Endorses Egypt's Election Results
Biden Addresses West Point Graduating Class
Dozens of Children Killed in New Syria Attack
Raw Video: Activists Allege Massacre in Syria
NJ Man Charged With Murder in Death of Patz
Support, Fun for Kids of Fallen Soldiers at Camp
Fugitive Penguin Caught, Returned to Aquarium
50 Years Later, Underground Fire Still Burning
Light Show Transforms Sydney Opera House
Raw Video: Unruly Passenger Restrained in Miami
Raw Video: Robber Uses Drive-thru Window
Raw Video: Dragon Arrives at Space Station
Calif.'s Coronado Named Nation's Best Beach
CEO Salaries Become Sore Issue in Labor Disputes
Raw Video: Fight Erupts in Ukrainian Parliament
Texan Ranchers Remain Wary of Drought
Raw Video: Soldiers Plant Flags at Arlington
Police: Man Arrested in Etan Patz Disappearance
NYC Protests: the Revolution Will Be Scripted
Chicago U.S. Attorney Fitzgerald Resigns
