Join us for Conversation and Connection!
Thursday,
November 20
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Refine, practice and perfect your elevator pitch.
Bring business cards and organizational brochures.
Expand your sphere of influence.
Network with others who are changing the lives of girls for the better.
Learn about new opportunities for girls.
Discover opportunities for collaboration.
Share research and best practice ideas.
Meet new colleagues. |
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Join the Girls Coalition of Southwestern Pennsylvania today!
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The Connection
The e-newsletter of the Girls Coalition of Southwestern Pennsylvania
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Register Now!
Join the Girls Coalition for a morning of
conversation & connection
with other girl-serving organizations
Greetings!
Join us on November 20th, as we host our second "Conversation & Connection" networking event. Refine, practice and perfect your elevator pitch. Space is limited and our last event was a sell-out. Registration ends Thursday, November 13 (details below). Hope to see you on November 20th!
Sincerely,
The Steering Committee
Girls Coalition of Southwestern Pennsylvania
Conversation & Connection
DATE: November 20, 2008
8:30-9:00 Registration and Continental Breakfast
9:00-9:30 Welcome & Professional Development:
Perfecting your Elevator Pitch
presented by Barbara Schwarck, PCC, CPCC, President
and CEO of Clear Intentions, Inc. Clear Intentions, Inc. is an
international coaching and training company located in
Pittsburgh, PA. The mission of Clear Intentions, Inc. is to lead and launch people and their organizations to experience
and be their full potential through coaching, training, key note speaking and
NETŪ.
9:30-11:30 Speed Networking
11:30 Fabulous Door Prize Drawing!
COST: $15
LOCATION: Calvary Episcopal Church
315 Shady Avenue
for directions, visit www.calvarypgh.org
Free parking is available. Convenient to the busline.
Register now! Space is limited.
Registration ends Thursday, November 20.
To reserve your space, call 412.253.8138.
You can either pay by credit card over the phone when you call to reserve your space, or mail your check to:
Toni Felice
Adagio Health
Suite 600
Pittsburgh, PA 15222
(check payable to "Adagio Health/Girls Coalition of SWPA")
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Monthly Poll
Look for our poll to return in November! You will be able to share with us your thoughts and insights on issues that affect the
girls in our region.
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Events and Announcements
Save the Date!
FIRST ANNUAL GIRLS COALITION CONFERENCE
Save the date: Thursday, January 29, 2009
Place: Sheraton Station Square Hotel
Time: 10:00 a.m. until 4:30 p.m.- Focus on promoting the health, well being and empowerment of girls
- Featuring
national and local speakers, including Peggy Orenstein, columnist and
author, and Leslie Bonci, Director of Sports Medicine Nutrition at UPMC
- Be part of a regional dialogue
- Learn about cutting edge research and best practices
- Create a promising future for girls
As the conference draws closer, more information and details will be sent via email and posted here on the Girls Coalition website.
Member Announcement: Coro Center for Civic Leadership
Do you know a Woman Leader? Are YOU a Leader?
The Coro Center for Civic Leadership is currently looking for the region's outstanding women leaders to join the upcoming group of Women in Leadership (WIL). Women in Leadership is a twelve-week, part-time, evening training program designed for high-achieving women with demonstrated leadership experience in the private, public, or non-profit sectors.  Coro is currently looking for nominations of the regions inspiring women, if your co-worker, friend, or sister is a woman that leads, please consider nominating her for this exciting program. If you are looking to take on a leadership role, network with a group of women, and affect positive change in the region - consider applying to this exciting program! To learn more about the Women in Leadership Program please visit http://pittsburgh.coro.org/wil or contact Misti McKeehen at mmckeehen@coro.org 412.258.2676. Nominations for WIL XII are due December 1, 2008 and all applications need to be submitted by December 10, 2008.
Member Announcement: Girl Scouts Western Pennsylvania
It's Your World - Change It!
What Girls Say About Leadership
In this election year,
everyone is thinking more about t  he importance of leadership and leadership
styles. And while Girl Scouts is, and
always has been, the organization committed to building future leaders; new
research and resources is transitioning the organization into building girl leaders for today.
Girls say that a leader is
defined not only by the qualities and skills one has, but also by how those
qualities and skills are used to make a difference in the world (Exploring
Girls Leadership, Girl Scout Research Institute study, 2007)."
The Girl
Scout Research Institute, formed in 2000, is a vital
extension of Girl Scouts of the USA's commitment to addressing the
complex and ever-changing needs of girls. http://www.girlscouts.org/research/
Visit www.gswpa.org for regional and local
information on the Girl Scout leadership experience.
Member Announcement: Every Child, Inc. and the Pittsburgh Steelers Team up for the Kids at the 2nd Annual "Challenge the Champions"
 Every Child, Inc. and the Pittsburgh Steelers' James Farrior will host the second annual "Challenge the Champions" event on Tuesday, October 28, 2008, from 6:00-9:00pm at the Carnegie Science Center. Guests will have a unique opportunity to meet and compete against their favorite local sports celebrities. James Farrior of the Pittsburgh Steelers, his teammates,
and other sports celebrities will be challenging guests to games like
"Robobasketball." The entire Science Center, including its many interactive exhibits and games, will be closed to the public throughout the evening so that guests can challenge the champions to one on one competition. All guests will also enjoy a buffet, a silent auction, and an opportunity to explore the Science Center. Over $90,000 was raised at this event last year.A private Super Fan reception will be held from 6:00-7:00pm and will feature members of the Steelers who will be signing autographs only during this time. Super Fan Admission is limited and tickets are $250 per person. General admission tickets are $80 per adult, $40 per child. All proceeds benefit Every Child, Inc. Tickets may be purchased at the Every Child, Inc. office located in East Liberty, on the web at www.everychildinc.org,or by phone at 412.665.0600. This event is sponsored by Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield.
Member Announcement: Outreach Teen and Family Services Parenting Series
Parenting PositivelyDiscover effective parenting skills that will benefit you and your family
Fall 2008/Spring 2009 Six-week course schedule Afternoon and evening classes are offered for all dates listed below 12:30-2:30 p.m. or 7:00-9:00 p.m. $95/person * $150/couple Wednesdays, January 14-February 18, 2009 Mondays, February 23-March 30, 2009 Thursdays, April 16-May 21, 2009 Classes presented by and held at  666 Washington Road Mt. Lebanon, PA 15228 For more information, or to enroll, please contact Outreach: 412.561.5405 info@outreachteen.orgwww.outreachteen.org
Member Announcement:
I'm a Girl 2 October Edition
"I'm a Girl 2" October edition will be available the week of
October 20th online at http://www.imagirl2.com. Our next issue is about Halloween
since it is one of our favorite holidays. Join us for a Spooky dinner,
make glow in the dark slime, and more. Also, we have a special message to
parents about Halloween and its impact on young children. Sign-up to
receive the latest newsletter at friend@imagirl2.com.
"I'm a Girl 2" is a newsletter for girls 3-7 years old that
celebrates "being a girl" - a girl in all its glory - by sharing a
world that is colorful, fascinating, fabulous, sparkly, smart, athletic, fun,
silly, and healthy. It is designed to inspire self-confidence and playful
exploration. It is something fun that you and the special young girl in your
life can do together.
Member Announcement: Magee-Womens Hospital Outpatient Clinic
Voices Joined Against Partner & Dating Violence
Conference Sponsored
by the Grace Ann Geibel Institute for Justice and Social Responsibility at Carlow University
Saturday, November 1,
2008, 9:00 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.
Duquesne University - Power Ballroom
Presenters:
Judy C. Chang, M.D.,
Obstetrics and Gynecology, Magee-Womens
Hospital of UPMC
Dave Russell, M.Ed.,
Counselor, Moving Towards Non-Violence
Honorary
Chair:
Pittsburgh Jazz Vocalist, Etta
Cox
Join the many local
educators, service providers, health professionals, and student leaders who
will discuss, learn and plan to combat partner and dating violence.
Continuing education credits available for social
worker (CEU), healthcare professionals (AMA Category 2 CME),
and educators (Act 48).
Please
register
by October 23, 2008. Registration is $25 for professionals and $10
for students. A student
group rate is available. Lunch is included.
Click here for more program
information and to register.
Member Announcement: Crisis Center North
Topics for Today's Teens
October 21, 2009 6:00-9:00 p.m.
Ohio Valley General Hospital
25 Heckel Road
McKees Rocks, PA 15136
Josephine Rosetta Auditorium
Every day thousands of youths and families in our community face issues and topics they may not be prepared to deal with. Ohio Valley
General Hospital presents this community forum in an effort to connect
families with services throughout the county available to offer
assistance. Representatives from the following agencies will be in
attendance: Focus on Renewal, Tobacco Free Allegheny, Three Rivers
Youth, PERSAD  Center, Crisis Center North, Holy Family SHORES Drug and
Alcohol Program, Contact Pittsburgh, Pgh Aids Task Force, Pgh Action
Against Rape, Sylvan Learning Center, Planned Parenthood of Western PA,
Positive Parenting Program and many more. Please join us on October 21st from 6-9pm in the hospital's Josephine
Rosetta Auditorium for information and discussion from the listed
agencies on topics including teen dating, college preparation, abusive
relationships, substance abuse, and after school programming. For
directions call 412.777.6300. FREE FOOD & PRIZES!
For additional information, visit the events page at www.crisiscenternorth.org.
Member Announcement: Girls, Math & Science Partnership
 2009 Carnegie Science Awards
The Carnegie Science Awards celebrate
and promote the accomplishments of individuals and organizations who work
each day to improve our lives through their commitment and contributions to
science and technology in western Pennsylvania.
Nominate an outstanding individual in
science and technology.
Important
Dates:
Nov 5, 2008 | Submission Deadline
Jan 29, 2009 | Winner Notification
May 8, 2009 | Awards Celebration
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Get Connected!
Call for Members
Join the Girls Coalition and enjoy these benefits to membership:
- Raise the profile of your organization through a detailed profile in the Annual Resource Directory of Girl-serving organizations
- Post and promote your events on the Girls Coalition website
- Reach Girls Coalition members with eblasts about your organization's monthly events and special opportunities
- Learn about the latest information, resources, and trends about girls
- Receive advanced notice for all Girls Coalition professional development and educational events
- Connect and collaborate with a network of like-minded agencies and individuals on projects and amplify the regional profile of girls and girls' issues
Download Girls Coalition membership application now.
Welcome, New Girls Coalition Members!
See a full listing of Girls Coalition members. |
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Profiles
Amazing Girl Tiana Tiana was referred to Girls Hope by the women in her church. She very much wanted to be a Girls Hope student but she had little family
support for such a move and her test scores were quite poor. Initially, she was
turned down for admittance.
However, her teachers mounted a call-in campaign, urging reconsideration of her application. She was accepted in the program in
January, half way through her freshman year in high school. Within four weeks, she
earned her first B. Shortly afterward, she earned her first A. Such grades became
routine due to the support and discipline of her new home. She participated in the
volleyball team and the chorus and at the end of the year, made the honor roll in the
new and more difficult school.
She moved on to Honors Chorus and other activities,
culminating in her election as President of the Student Council. When she
graduated, she was the first person in two generations in her family to do so. Her younger
cousins are spurred on to success since Tiana proved it can be done. She is a senior in
college currently.
Call for Amazing Girl Nominations
The Girls Coalition of SWPA
is always accepting nominations for "Amazing Girls" to be featured in our newsletter. We have established broad criteria to consider when submitting an "Amazing Girl." We are interested in showcasing girls who
demonstrate the following characteristics: leadership; commitment and willingness to work hard; perseverance; the
drive to excel despite challenge; and creativity. The purpose of this feature is to hear about
girls who may be "truly amazing" but have not yet been recognized. Please share your recommendations, and we can all see how she shines!
Send us an email about an Amazing Girl you think we should profile.
Member Profile: YWCA of Greater Pittsburgh
YWCA Greater Pittsburgh:
Serving Women and Girls for 139 Years
Since
1869, the YWCA Greater Pittsburgh has worked to improve our community by
increasing the status of women, girls and families and advancing racial
justice. Often ahead of its time and with
remarkable vision, the YWCA has tackled such issues as homelessness, child care
needs, disparities in employment, fair housing and civil rights. Today, the YWCA Greater Pittsburgh is at the
forefront of efforts by offering an array of programs and services, which are
guided by a common vision: peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all
people.
Currently,
the YWCA Greater Pittsburgh serves well over 16,000
Allegheny County residents annually through housing and
support services; child care services; business and financial development; teen
and after school programs; legal services; women's counseling; and breast
cancer education through the ENCOREplus program. The Office of
Racial Diversity and Inclusion (ORDI) continues the YWCA's commitment to eliminating
racism.
The YWCA's Teen Leadership
Institute (TLI) offers non-traditional interactive and educational programs and
activities that empower girls and young women and also promote gender
equity. According to one participant, "Being
a Teen Leadership Institute member is fun because teens get to do lots of
activities in the program that will help them in the future."
TLI Activities include:
Service Learning
Service Learning provides periodic opportunities for teens to participate
in organized service projects that are thematic in nature and include a lesson
relating to the theme. These are
structured opportunities that help young women with self-reflection,
self-discovery, and the acquisition and comprehension of values, skills, and
knowledge content.
Cultural, Social, Political, and Economic Awareness
Cultural, Social, Political, and Economic Awareness gives periodic
opportunities for teens to participate in organized monthly projects that are
intended to broaden cultural, social, political, and economic horizons. These
projects are structured opportunities that expose girls to a broader cultural
context.
STEM Programs
STEM programs give access to interesting Science, Technology, Engineering, and
Math activities. The programs raise
girls' interest; confidence and competence in crucial areas of STEM, while
helping them develop critical thinking and problem solving skills.
The Teen Leadership Institute's TechGYRLS program is a national YWCA hallmark program developed in
1997 in response to a widening gender gap in exposure to and interest in the IT
field for girls in underserved communities. Program participants are engaged in technologies such as robotics,
computer programming and media technology. Collaborations with Carnegie Mellon University
and the University
of Pittsburgh provide
girls with mentoring, career exploration, hands-on experience and exposure to
cutting-edge technology.
"I wanted my daughters involved in
a program that was productive and that would give them the skills necessary to
succeed later in life," said one father. "I would recommend the program to anyone with teenage daughters."
Member Profile: YWCA Westmoreland County
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The YWCA of Westmoreland County has served Westmoreland County with
social service and educational programs for 50 years. Our mission is to create opportunities for
women and girls to lead purposeful lives and to strive for a community that
values diversity.
This mission is translated into a broad range of services throughout Westmoreland County. Within our core services of
Education, Social Services, Health and Wellness, Literacy, and Racial Justice
are many opportunities for the YWCA to be responsive to the needs of women and
girls in our county. Our many services include childcare programs, a computer
and technology center, support groups including one for international women,
Literacy and ESL services, technology training, a Working Women's Closet to
prepare women for job interviews, and racial justice programming.
The YWCA has a variety of programs that focus on preteen and teen girls:
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The YWCA of Westmoreland County TechGYRLS program
empowers young women through education and exposure to robotics technology
and promotes continued involvement in mathematics and science for
girls. This after school program is offered in five Westmoreland County school districts and makes
it possible for girls to experience "hands-on" computer programming
and physics, along with building and operating autonomous robots in an
environment that promotes participation and learning. After
completing six-week modules, RoboLab I and II, students are eligible to
apply for one of the YWCA Challenge Teams. Our Westmoreland YWCA teams
compete against other teams from around the state at the CMU National
Robotics Center
in Pittsburgh.
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Our YWCA
Girls Field Hockey program offers a year-round field hockey
program to girls in grades 1-12 throughout Westmoreland County. The YWCA of Westmoreland County offers a
place for players of all levels to participate, from beginners to advanced,
allowing all girls to get a chance to play and experience the thrill of a
team sport. The YWCA program acts as a "feeder" program to area high school
teams, allowing girls to learn about and become interested in the sport
before trying out for their local school teams.
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The YWCA
of Westmoreland County Girl's Project is a special summer program that
provides a Day Camp for Girls ages 11-14. The Girl's Project offers campers with opportunities to
become involved in their community and explore their own personal power. Our goals are to provide a safe space
where girls will build their self-esteem through service learning projects. Girls are encouraged to development
their physical, social and emotional well-being.
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The YWCA of Westmoreland County
Girls T.R.U.S.T. (True Responses Under Stressful Times) is a unique after-school
program that encourages girls to seek and celebrate their "true selves" by
giving them a safe space, encouragement, structure, and support. This program advocates a strength-based
approach that helps girls to identify and apply their power and voices as
individuals, and as a group.
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Resources
Girl Talk Has Its Limits
This article explores research done on adolescent female
relationships and girl talk among girls. Some studies have found that excessive
talking about problems, dubbed "co-rumination" by researchers, can contribute to
emotional difficulties including anxiety and depression.
Click here to read full article. |
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Opportunities
Member Job Opportunity: Adagio Health
Adagio Health, a non-profit health care agency headquartered in downtown Pittsburgh,
PA, provides services to women and their families in western
Pennsylvania. Adagio Health services include comprehensive gynecology
and obstetrics care, nutrition counseling, screening for breast and cervical
cancer, testing and treatment for sexually transmitted diseases, community
education, training, research, and a regional program to reduce teen
pregnancy. For more information regarding our agency please visit our
website at www.adagiohealth.org.
Seeking a
Research Associate to work on applied research projects. The job responsibilities
include day-to-day management of behavioral research projects, qualitative
and quantitative data collection and analysis, and report preparation. Position requires Masters Degree with Public Health or social science
research background, excellent communication skills and proficiency in
statistics and SPSS software required.
Salary
Range: $31,800 - $43,300
An attractive benefits package is available that
includes health, dental, vision, disability and life insurance, pension,
employee assistance program, holidays, vacation, and sick leave.
Member Job Opportunity
Create
community change at the crossroads of technology, media, and early childhood
education. Spark the innovative ideas of parents and caregivers,
trailblazers and techies, start-ups and researchers, teachers and child-focused
organizations to improve the lives and learning of children from birth to age
8. Help lead The Sprout Fund's newest funding program. Make
Pittsburgh a better place
for children to live, learn and play.
Funded by support from The Grable Foundation, The Sprout Fund seeks a Program Manager
to lead Kids & Creativity (working name),
a program that will support projects and programs that primarily affect
children (birth to age 8) in the city of Pittsburgh
and the surrounding communities of Southwestern
Pennsylvania. Supported initiatives will engage children through
the inventive and creative use of technology and media and enhance their
learning and development. The program will launch in late-fall 2008.
As The Sprout Fund shifts into
new programmatic territory, Kids & Creativity is an opportunity for the
Program Manager to apply his or her unique knowledge, skills and experience
working with children and technology to adapt the organization's
innovative grantmaking methods to meet new challenges and to serve new
audiences. The position requires an eagerness to learn and a strong
desire to work with innovators in multiple sectors to leverage resources and
improve the lives of children in Southwestern Pennsylvania.
To learn more and submit an
application, download the complete Position Announcement.
An Opportunity for Girls and Those who Work with Girls
The women's publisher Seal Press
is calling for submissions on girlhood issues for a 2009 book on
girlhood. The author,
Elline Lipkin, is hoping to collect a wide array of quotations from
girls and from adult mentors who work with girls for her book, which
will explore the multifaceted experiences of girls in America.
She is gathering short anecdotes, comments, and thoughts from girls
aged 6 to 18, and from adults who work closely with girls up to age 18,
for a short book on girlhood and feminism. The book will be published
by Seal Press in 2009 and will examine an array of questions, issues,
and important texts pertaining to girlhood and girls in the United
States.
All contributions will be unpaid, and if your comments are selected to
be included in the book, they may be edited for length and style.
Please send all submissions either by email to elline.lipkin@yahoo.com
or by postal mail to Elline Lipkin, 3125 Berkeley Circle, Los Angeles,
CA 90026. Please let her know whether you would like your comments to
appear under your own full name, or a pseudonym. Comments can be any
length, but 300 words or less is preferred.
Along with your comments, please include:
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A signed permissions agreement
- Your age
- If you're an adult, your job or volunteer experience working with girls
- Where you live
- A few sentences (or a paragraph) about yourself
If you are interested in participating, please send an email to sfedrobyrom@girlscoalitionswpa.org
for a permissions agreement as well as a list of questions the author
would like girls to answer. She is interested in hearing girls'
responses to a list of age-appropriate questions.
Check out JJ's submission here!
Opportunities for Girls: The Kids' Science Challenge
The Kids' Science Challenge is a nationwide competition designed to engage
3rd to 6th-graders in practicing science--and discovering how
much fun it can be. Students will be able to submit experiments and
problems to real scientists in very exciting, kid-friendly fields and then
follow along as scientists and engineers attempt to do the experiments and
solve these problems.
Can you make a skateboard that can climb stairs?
Can you make ice cream that's cold but tastes hot? In the Kids' Science
Challenge, we'll see ideas like these turned into realities. Each student
who submits a winning entry gets to visit and collaborate with a scientist.
At kidsciencechallenge.com, you'll
find online games, fun videocasts and great prizes. Plus, any kid can track
the progress of the competition. There are also curriculum-based activities
for classrooms and after-school groups to follow along. With online
activities and free hands-on science kits to the first thousand entries,
kids can:
· test their local water supply
· decode a "message" from outer space
· find out if they or any of their friends are
"super-tasters"
· try their hand (literally) at doing a fingerboard
"Ollie," and learn about gravity and friction while they're at
it!
If you go to kidsciencechallenge.com
and click on "Teachers and Parents," you'll find:
After-school science learning activities
FREE science activity kits
Teaching science with the Kids' Science Challenge web site
Customized lesson plans
Entry kits and official rules
For more information, please contact the Kids' Science Challenge team at info@kidsciencechallenge.com.
And please send us your feedback |
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Cool Stuff for Girls
Teen Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape (Teen PCAR)
Check out http://www.teenpcar.com.
Under "free loot" anyone can request a glossy teen magazine that talks about relationships, a CD of original rock music about sexual violence or an MTV
style music video. All are great resources for teens who want to raise
awareness about sexual violence in their high schools.
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It was a pleasure meeting so many of you at the Women's Health & the Environment Conference and the Governor's Conference for Women!
It is an exciting time
for the Girls Coalition as we launch our new website, get ready for our
November networking event and plan our first annual Girls Coalition
Conference.
We hope to see you at our November 20, Conversation and Connection event!
Sincerely,
Girls Coalition Southwestern Pennsylvania
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