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The Connection
The e-newsletter of the Girls Coalition of Southwestern Pennsylvania
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Dear ,
We hope you will find our more streamlined April newsletter easier to read yet full of the same useful information and resources found in previous issues.
In this issue...
If you have any suggestions or comments about
the newsletter and how we can make it more even more readable and useful, please send them to info@girlscoalitionswpa.org. We would love to hear from you.
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Monthly Poll
In
the March 2009 poll, we continued exploring the topic of girls and violence in
an effort to understand how girls' lives are impacted by violence in our
communities.  Click here to view poll results and to take our April poll. It takes less than a minute to share with us your thoughts and insights on issues that affect the girls in our region. |
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Member Events and Announcements
Girls Coalition Quarterly Programming, First in the Series:
Are all
Girls the Same?
Please join Mell Steven Cosnek (YWCA
Greater Pittsburgh, Office of Racial Diversity and Inclusion), Dr. Melissa
Swauger (Department of Sociology, Carlow
University ) and LaVerne
Baker Hotep (Center for Victims of Violence and Crime) for a conversation and
workshop on gender, race and class. This program will speak to service
providers about the diverse experiences of girls and the intersections of
gender, race and class. The morning's activities will include an
examination of how economic, social and cultural resources matter in the lives
and futures of girls, as well as a hands-on discussion about how to address
issues of race, class and gender in girl-centric programs. Date:
Wednesday,
May 13th
Time:
8:30am
- 11:30am
Location: YWCA Greater Pittsburgh 305 Wood Street
Pittsburgh ,
PA 15222
Cost: $15.00
Registration: Reserve your place
at this program today by registering online at https://www.blacktie-pittsburgh.com/online_sales/rsvp_ticket_purchase.cfm?rsvpid=621. If you must pay for the event using a check or
purchase order, please call 412-253-3263
to register. Save the date for future Girls Coalition events:September 2nd Advocacy and Empowerment November 4th Health
 Women and Girls Foundation Regional Change Agents
The
Women & Girls Foundation (WGF) is recruiting adult and teen women to become
Regional Change Agents in Allegheny, Fayette, Greene and Westmoreland Counties. Small teams of
adult and teen women will design, lead and implement social change projects
that tackle issues related to women's and girls' equality in their own community and the broader region. Teen participants will also become social change
philanthropists, awarding grant dollars to girl-led projects in their own
community, while adult participants will receive negation training and the
tools to train other women in the art of negotiation. Application
forms are available at www.wgfpa.org. PLEASE NOTE: Application
deadline is NOW! If you have questions, please contact
Tara Simmons, WGF Director of Community Initiatives, at 412-258-2568 or tara@wgfpa.org.
A research study by Pitt's
Department of Family Medicine
The purpose is to help young women under 18
with one child delay having another baby until they're older. We want to
help young moms use their strengths to make good choices.
Specifically, we invite young moms and an older,
female support person (Maikuru) to join an 8 week group, meeting once a week
for 1 ˝ to 2 hours.
Groups have food, a theme, teaching,
activities, discussions, fun and gift cards once requirements of the study are
completed!
Maikurus need Act 33/34
clearance (we'll process it). View flier.
Interested? call 412.383.1000
"I'm a Girl 2" Celebrates First Birthday
Celebrate "I'm a Girl 2"'s First
Birthday and Earth Day in this very special April issue,
available online now at http://www.imagirl2.com. "Go Green" with
us as we learn how to have a great time reducing, reusing and recycling.
"I'm a Girl 2" is a newsletter for girls 3-7 years old that
celebrates "being a girl" in all its glory - by sharing a world that
is colorful, fascinating, fabulous, sparkly, smart, athletic, fun, silly, and
healthy. It is something you and the special young girl in your life can do
together.
Upcoming Events
What: Party for the Planet - join The Ellis
School and the
Radio Disney Road Crew for a day of fun at the zoo to celebrate
Earth Day
When: Saturday, April 18, 2009, 11:00 am -
3:00 pm
Where: The
Pittsburgh Zoo
and PPG Aquarium
What: Open House - visit The Ellis School
to learn
more about our curricular and co-curricular programs
When: Wednesday,
April 22, 2009, 8:30 am - 10:30 am
Where: The
Ellis
School,
6425 Fifth Avenue in Shadyside
What: Girls on the Run - join The Ellis
School and the Radio
Disney Road Crew for this 5K race
When: Sunday, May 17, 2009
Where: Sandcastle,
Homestead
What: Summer Reading Extravaganza - visit
The Ellis
School's booth for a fun activity at this "all about
reading" event
When: Sunday, June 7, 2009, noon - 5:00 pm
Where: Carnegie
Library of Pittsburgh,
Oakland
666 Washington Road
Mt. Lebanon, PA 15228
Individual
Teen and Family Counseling
Outreach has 16
counselors and behavioral specialist on staff.
Teen's needs are matched
to a master's level counselor who is experienced with
the issues presented. First appointments are
usually scheduled within a week of intake. Outreach turns no one
away for inability to pay.
TeenScreen
Our
primary objective is to help young people and their parents
through
the early identification of mental health problems.
You're invited to Outreach's annual Gala:
Hot, Hip & Cool...A
Metro Mixer at The Warhol
April 25, 2009
7:00-11:00 PM
One of a Kind Auction Items and
Raffles
Cocktail Attire
Tickets: $125 per
person
Join Adagio Health for an evening of great theater and an after
party reception with cast members on May 26th at Heinz Hall for the opening
night of the eight-time Tony Award® winning Broadway musical "Spring
Awakening" presented by The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, as part of the PNC
Broadway Across America - Pittsburgh Series. "Spring
Awakening" celebrates an unforgettable journey from youth to adulthood
with great poignancy.
All proceeds will benefit Adagio Health's Community
Education Program. For tickets and more information contact Diane Kennard
at 412-253-8179 or register online at www.adagiohealth.org.
Deadline for this event has been extended to May 6th! 
Annual Cocktails and Cuisine Event
Save
the date for the annual Cocktails and Cuisine Event for Women in Crisis. The unique after work grazing event of
fabulous food and libations benefits Crisis Center North. The event will be held Thursday, May 7, 2009
from 5:30 to 10:30 p.m. at the Woodlands in Bradford Woods. The evening features The Second Annual Caesar
Salad Taste Off; Pittsburgh's
Hottest Soulful Vocalist, Jessica Lee; a great silent auction; and over
two-dozen food, wine and beer purveyors to sample. Tickets are $60 per person or $75 VIP, which
includes premier parking. For more
information or sponsorship opportunities, please call 412-364-6728 x15 or visit
www.crisiscenternorth.org.
Seeking Vendors for Pathways to Health Careers
Resource Fair
The Urban League of Greater Pittsburgh Education and Youth Development Department
is seeking vendors for our Pathways to Health Careers Resource Fair
scheduled for Friday, May 8th, from 1:00 p.m. until 3:00 p.m. at
Duquesne School.
Purpose: to
provide 6th, 7th and 8th graders with information
about careers relating to health (mind, body, spirit) and to
provide youth with opportunities to learn about resources, activities,
etc. that contribute to their well being. We are specifically recruiting organizations that serve City of Duquesne youth.
If you can participate, please contact Val Chavis at 412-469-0484 or at dcmp0484@hotmail.com There is a registration form to complete. Thank you.
Volunteers Needed
Girls on the Run, an after-school program which encourages
pre-teen girls to develop self-respect and healthy lifestyles through running,
is looking for volunteers for our 7th Annual Girls on the Run 5K.
This event is the culmination of the spring programs, and is a celebration of
the girls and their accomplishments. This non-competetive 5K run/walk is open
to the Girls on the Run participants, their friends and families and the
community. If you would like to be a part of this wonderful celebration, please
consider volunteering the morning of Sunday May 17th, 2009. For more
information, please view our volunteer registration form or email sandersae@mail.magee.edu.
Join POWER in Celebrating POWER PROMISES ~
A Night of Hope!
POWER PROMISES ~ A Night of Hope is slated for 5:30 p.m. on Thursday,
May 21, at Heinz Field in the West Club Lounge. POWER PROMISES highlights graduates of the
organization's gender-responsive alcohol and drug treatment programs. The event also includes dinner,
entertainment, auctions, raffle baskets and an award presentation.
The 2009 Window of Hope Award will be presented to Dr. Morton "Moe" Coleman, Director
Emeritus of the University of Pittsburgh's Institute of Politics.
Dr. Coleman will be recognized for his role as mentor and guide to POWER's
founders.
For more information and to make your reservation, please
visit www.power-recovery.com.
  Get your walking shoes
ready! Now is the time to register and walk for Womansplace in
the Walk for a Healthy Community presented by Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield on
Saturday, May 30, 2009 at Heinz Field on the North Shore of Pittsburgh.
The Walk for a Healthy Community is a fundraiser that
benefits 44 local nonprofit health and human service agencies in the
Southwestern Pennsylvania, including Womansplace.
Register now at www.womansplace.org OR www.walkforahealthycommunity.org
to join the 5K or One-Mile fun Walk, and then raise funds to support
Womansplace.
For more information, please call (412) 678-4620 ext. 200
or (866) 620-WALK. 
Calling All
Pittsburgh Women Leaders:
Coro Pittsburgh
has just announced the dates for the thirteenth cycle of Women in Leadership
(WIL)!
WIL is a three-month, part-time evening program beginning Sept. 12, 2009.
- Experience leadership with a group of peers
- Work with Personal Coach to create a Personal Strategic Plan
- Create Group Project
- Network with and interview local leaders
Apply by July 31, 2009 for WIL XIII. Visit http://pittsburgh.coro.org/wil
or contact mmckeehen@coro.org for more information. |
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Profiles
Amazing Girls: Girls Scout Troop 50-365
Submitted by Rina Fortunato and Beverly Bronder:
As a Reading Coach at Schaeffer Elementary in the Pittsburgh Public Schools, the challenge is to get our students to read while trying to get books into their hands. However, our district is faced with issues far
greater such as the climbing poverty level and increased number of homeless
children who lack the most basic needs.
Girl Scout Troop Leader, Beverly Bronder, telephoned
me shortly after reading an article in the Green Tree Times, "Raise Your Hand if You Want to be Santa Clause!" which sought help for our school. Beverly stated Troop 50-365's intentions to make the mission
theirs.
By Christmas week, the girls of Troop 50-365 had collected
everything from sleeping bags, pillows, toys, games and school supplies to
backpacks. These elves came quietly making multiple trips to our school. Our
students went home with
smiles bigger than life.
The story does not end there. The girls decided to run a FREE book fair at the school. They cleaned out their own
books, collected at the library and from friends. The troop collected
well over 1,000 books. On President's Day, the Troop 50-365 girls were off school, but Pittsburgh
Public Schools were in session. Eight girls from the troop, Melissa, Abby, Alicia, Shannon, Dana, Briana, Rachel
and Alexis spent their day off school running the book fair. They organized the books by grade and then helped each student to find books he
or she was interested in. It gave both groups of children an opportunity to meet one another. As groups entered, the girls took initiative leading the little ones around the vast selection to find
books of interest.
"Amazing Girls" is a perfect way to describe Girl Scout
Troop 50-365. Their gift of time and service to our school "just
because" is a great sign for America's future. Hope lives
on!
Call for Amazing Girl Nominations
The Girls Coalition of Southwestern Pennsylvania is always accepting nominations for "Amazing Girls" to be featured in our newsletter. 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: Jewish Women's Foundation of Greater Pittsburgh
The Jewish Women's Foundation of Greater Pittsburgh was
founded in 2000 to effect lasting social change in the lives of women and girls
in the Jewish and general communities. The trustees of the foundation have the
opportunity to participate in the strategic direction and distribution of the
JWF's grantmaking. Through our donors' collective input, experience and
leadership, JWF funds innovative programs to address the unmet needs of women
and girls in Pittsburgh, Allegheny
County and Israel.
Over its past six years of grantmaking, JWF has focused its
funding on the needs of adolescent girls. Examples of the types of projects
that have been funded by the foundation include those that focus on education,
gender equity, leadership development, dating and intimate partner violence,
advocacy and girls' health.
The JWF grantmaking cycle occurs once a year and begins in
June. Additional information about
guidelines and the grant application process may be found on the JWF website, www.jwfpgh.org, or contact Judy Greenwald
Cohen, Executive Director, at 412-727-1108 or jcohen@jwfpgh.org.
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Organizational and Professional Opportunities
Job Opportunity: The American Civil Liberties Union of Pennsylvania (ACLU-PA)
COMMUNITY ORGANIZER - Western Pennsylvania
The
American Civil Liberties Union of Pennsylvania (ACLU-PA) is seeking a full-time
Community Organizer to work in its Pittsburgh
office on community outreach efforts in Western
Pennsylvania.
Click here to read a full description of the position and
how to apply.
The ACLU of Pennsylvania is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer
and is committed to developing a diverse pool of candidates. Women, people of color, persons with
disabilities, lesbians and gay men are encouraged to apply.
Job Opportunity: North Hills Youth Ministry Counseling Center
North Hills
Youth Ministry
Counseling Center
seeks a part-time Assistant Office Manager to
work approximately 24 hours a week. Candidates must have MS Office and
QuickBooks experience. Raiser's Edge database experience is
helpful. This position requires strong communication skills and the
ability to work in a fast-paced environment. Send resume to: North Hills
Youth Ministry
Counseling Center,
802 McKnight Park Drive,
Pittsburgh, PA 15237 or FAX to 412-366-1333 or email to nhym@nhymcc.org.
Job Opportunity: Womansplace
Part-time Shelter Advocate - click here and scroll down to Womansplace to view full job
description.
Average of 16 hours a week (weekends and occasional evenings). Paid Training.
Submit your resume to:
Bethany Wingerson
Program Coordinator
Womansplace, Inc.
bwingerson@womansplace.org
(412) 678-4620 ext. 202
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Resources
Summary: This
brief highlights three strategies that leaders and stakeholders can use to
finance and sustain mentoring programs and services for youth. These strategies
include building partnerships with businesses and foundations, conducting
community fundraising to generate revenue and maximizing public revenue. In addition, it provides information on 25 federal funding sources that can be
used to finance and sustain these programs. November 2008.
Read full report.
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"Cool" Summer Opportunities for Girls
What: Chatham University Summer ProgrammingJune 15-June 19, Basketball Skills Camp
This camp is for girls ONLY, grades 3 through 8. Girls
will learn key individual and team basketball skills. This camp is open
to campers of all levels.
June 15-June 19, Competitive Swim Camp
The competitive camps is for the serious swimmer! This
is not a learn to swim camp. The camp is open to young women ONLY in
grades 7 through 10.
Co-Ed Programs at Chatham:
Chatham University is offering co-ed programming on both the
Shadyside and Eden Hall Farm campuses in arts, music, environmental education
and creative play.
To register: For more information or program registration, contact Erika
at 412-365-1147 or visit the day camp website www.chatham.edu/daycamp.
What: The Carlow University Women of Spirit© Institute
presents 3 summer workshops: ECO-Camp-Environmental Career Opportunities (June 23-25), Summer Science Nation (July 7-9) and Prepare to Care: Discover, Explore, Connect (July 14-16) For: High school girls entering grades 9-12
Time: 8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Cost:$225 for one camp (register for two programs for $400, or all three for $600),includes breakfast, lunch, T shirt, journal and all
transportation to off-campus sites. To register: Register online at www.carlow.edu.
For additional information please contact Laurie Petty-P: 412.
578.8851 F: 412.578.2080 E: pettylj@carlow.edu
Space is limited.
What: The Summer Engineering Experience for Girls (SEE) is a
two-week program for girls. The theme of "SEE" is energy, and girls have an opportunity to learn
about different forms of energy that are efficient and environmentally
friendly. Girls conduct hands-on
experience in different areas of engineering and have the chance to explore
areas of interest to them and to learn how they can make a difference through
engineering.
For: Girls who are entering the 8th and 9th grades and are interested in math and science. When: July 13th through July 24th, 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Cost: Girls accepted into the program attend for
free. To apply: Applications are now being
accepted, and the deadline is Monday, May 4th. For more information or to download an
application, please visit http://www.ices.cmu.edu/see.html. For more information on the program, please
contact Alicia Brown at adbrown@andrew.cmu.edu
or 412.268.5227. SEE is offered by the
Institute for Complex Engineered Systems (ICES) at Carnegie Mellon
University.
Recruiting Teen & Tween Advisory Board MembersTalk. a non-profit start-up organization focused on youth development is currently recruiting advisory board members to further inform the development of its pilot programming. We are looking to engage diverse groups of girls and young women to discuss issues surrounding healthy decision making, relationships, and more generally, negotiating adolescence. We are currently recruiting girls ages 12-14 and 15-17. Boards will meet biweekly and meetings will begin this summer. For more information about this opportunity, please contact Samantha Bushman, Social Innovation Fellow at the Institute for Social Innovation, Carnegie Mellon University via email at Talk.AdvisoryBoard@gmail.com.
Winchester Thurston School Summer
Programs
At our City Campus, we
offer
a variety of camps and programs for students entering grades 4 - 12. Choose
from an array of options -- Academics, Arts, Athletics, Leadership and more!
At our North Hills Campus,
we offer a variety of camps and programs for students entering Pre-Kindergarten
through grade 5. Choose from an array of options in adventure and play, sports
and physical fitness, creative arts, and academics.
Check out all of the
offerings at www.winchesterthurston.org/summer
or call 412-578-3723 for a free brochure. |
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Hope to see you at our May event! Thanks for reading!
Sincerely,
Girls Coalition Southwestern Pennsylvania
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