| Get Connected!
|
 |
Join the Girls Coalition of Southwestern Pennsylvania today!
|
| The Girls Coalition is supported by a grant from the FISA Foundation
|
Visit Our Sponsor
|
|
|
The Connection
The e-newsletter of the Girls Coalition of Southwestern Pennsylvania
|
Dear ,
Welcome to our newest Girls Coalition members!
In this issue...
|
|
Monthly Poll
In
the May poll, we asked our readers about the most effective strategy to address girls' violence. What would be the most effective strategy to address girls' violence? 46.15% Conflict resolution training38.46% Mentoring15.38% CounselingHow is your community addressing girls' violence? 61.54% No programming
23.08% In-school programming
15.38% Community-agency programming
 Click here to take our June poll and to view poll results. It takes less than a minute to share your thoughts and insights with us on issues that affect the girls in our region. The
Girls Coalition's work with Youth Futures (formerly known as the Youth Crime
Prevention Council, YCPC) is to learn about the realities girls face
growing up in our communities and to explore opportunities and future partnerships
that will help address girls' needs in a more comprehensive and proactive
manner. If you have
questions you would like to have answered in a monthly poll, please email info@girlscoalitionswpa.org. |
|
|
|
Member Events and Announcements
Are All Girls The Same?
On May 13th,
the first in a series of quarterly Girls Coalition programs took place at the YWCA
downtown Pittsburgh. Mell Steven Cosnek (YWCA Greater Pittsburgh,
Office of Ra cial Diversity and Inclusion),
Dr. Melissa Swauger (Department of Sociology, Carlow University) and LaVerne
Baker Hotep (Center for Victims of Violence and Crime) engaged members in a conversation
and workshop on gender, race and class. The morning's activities included 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.
Stay tuned
for more information on our upcoming events in September and November.
Introducing iTwixie.com, the ultimate online hangout for every tween girl. Join the revolution!
The
iTwixie revolution starts with the 20 million tween girls in the United States
alone who have the power to change the world. Tween girls are full of
curiosity, smarts, ideas and beauty inside and out. iTwixie is where
girls of all ethnicities, abilities and challenges can get
together and empower each other. iTwixie challenges girls to express
their unique talents, creations and true interests. iTwixie brings girls together to try
new things, to explore tough topics and to create a powerful bond
between girls from all over the globe. We have girls joining us from
all over -- from the US to Australia -- we're forming an iTwixie Nation.
We are currently in the public beta of iTwixie.com, we're constantly
updating features and articles, so please be sure to check out what
we're doing and let us know what you like best!
And if you ever have ideas about how to make iTwixie better, have an
idea for an article or message that empowers girls, or want to sponsor
a section of iTwixie, we'd love to hear from you. Just send us an email
to info@itwixie.com.
Check out this Post-Gazette article featuring iTwixie!
The First Tee of Pittsburgh (TFTP)For the past ten years The First Tee of
Pittsburgh (TFTP) has been part of an international youth development and
programming organization that has reached thousands of children and teens using
golf instruction to teach life skills.
Through a grant from FISA Foundation, TFTP
is partnering with NHS Human Services to design and implement a gender specific
clinic for young women and girls. The goal is to develop interpersonal
communication, goal setting, self management and self confidence.
The pilot group is foster children from Greene County
who have been involved with the juvenile justice system. This ten session
program will take place at Carmichaels Golf Course and include adult and
teenage female coaches trained by TFTP.
For more information please contact TFTP at www.thefirstteepittsburgh.org
or firstteepitt@aol.com. Leadership Luncheon
Series
This
summer Coro Pittsburgh presents their premier Leadership Luncheon Series. Join us to discover how leadership affects politics, gender dynamics and
education as discussed by experts in our community.
Featured
Speakers include the Honorable Jim Roddey, Allegheny County's first Chief
Executive; Heather Arnet, Executive Director of the Women and Girls Foundation; and Dr. Linda Lane, Deputy Superintendent of the Pittsburgh Public
Schools.
More
information can be found here,
or by contacting Kelsey Halling at 412.208.0251 or khalling@coro.pittsburgh.org.  Bring girl voice and girl leadership to the
Greater Pittsburgh area!
Applications are still being accepted for the
2009-2010
YW Leads Empowerment Council!
YW Leads Empower
Council is a unique leadership experience for Junior and Senior high school
girls in the Greater Pittsburgh area. We
will select 30 girls from schools and neighborhoods throughout the Greater
Pittsburgh area to learn leadership skills, deepen their understanding of
issues effecting girls and organize empowerment trainings for their peers.
 North Hills Youth Ministry Counseling Center 18th Annual Golf Classic and
Silent Auction at Diamond Run Golf Club---
September 14, 2009
Please join us for a day of golf,
fun, food and fellowship as we work together to positively impact and heal
individuals and families and strengthen our community. This golf outing
is a major fund raiser for NHYMCC. Proceeds from the sales will directly
benefit children and families who come to us in need of low-cost or free
professional counseling and/or tutoring. Please help us continue the
healing!
Join us for this extra-special
event! Call to reserve a spot--spaces are limited! Individual
Golfer pays $240.
Diamond Run Golf Club.
132 Laurel Oak Dr.
Sewickley,
PA 15143
Phone: 412.741.2020 / Fax:
412.741.8133
Web Address: http://www.Diamond-Run.com |
|
|
Profiles
Amazing Girl Parys
Submitted by Dr. Willa Doswell:
Parys is a student at Pittsburgh Arsenal Middle School
where she has maintained an A average over the past 2 years. In 5th grade, she wrote a book and privately published it. This year she
earned the Ancient Scottish Rite of Free Masonry award for writing. She was the
only African American student selected.
Parys is a certified babysitter. She has her own babysitting business, and she
also completed a certificate in First Aid. At church she is a member of the Book of Psalm mime group, Ethnan Temple
Wolverine Pathfinders Club, a member of the Ethnan Temple
Church Praise Team and a youth
usher.
Parys lives with her mother, her grandmother and her
little sister, India. She is a strong support to her family who has suffered many crises. Parys has a winsome personality, beauty and Christian values and graces. Parys truly is an Amazing Girl!
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: Angels' Place
 At three locations in the Pittsburgh area (Brookline,
Swissvale and North Side), student parents receive a comprehensive
program of FREE services including child care accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children
(NAEYC). Tutoring, support groups, counseling and informal
classes in parenting, nutrition, child safety and life skills are also
offered.
We are committed to providing student parents with the help they need
to complete their education, secure satisfying employment, establish
careers and become self-sufficient citizens. Through programs of
excellence that embody the best practices of education and family
development, Angels' Place provides the loving, nurturing, safe and
healthy environment that every parent and child deserve.
A dedicated family of loving and supportive staff members and
volunteers encourage and guide both generations toward realizing their
full potential. Bright, idealistic and hundreds strong, the graduated
student parents of Angels' Place are developing responsible, educated,
civic-minded families while actively contributing to the progress of
our community and region.
|
|
|
Organizational and Professional Opportunities
Funding Opportunity
Jewish Women's Foundation Call for Proposals
The Jewish Women's Foundation of Greater Pittsburgh is pleased to
announce its 2009 grantmaking cycle. The JWF is interested in funding
innovative projects that address critical issues impacting 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 and girls'
health. Other areas of funding interest are projects focusing on
behavioral health including mental health and substance abuse.
Additional information about guidelines and the grant application process may be found on the JWF website, or call/email Judy Greenwald Cohen, Executive Director, at 412.727.1108 or jcohen@jwfpgh.org. Proposals are due on September 15, 2009.
Regional Internship Center
Click here to learn more about the expanded Regional Internship Center Web site.
Those interested in internships for this summer should use the old Web site, www.ric-swpa.org.
Those interested in internships for fall or later should go to the new site, www.theregionalinternshipcenter.org.
CALL
FOR NOMINATIONS:
Honor
a Woman Leader and Mentor for the 2009 Greater Pittsburgh ATHENA Award
Do you know an
exceptional woman business leader who leads by example, inspires her community
and mentors other women? Nominate her for the Greater Pittsburgh ATHENA
Award, presented by the Allegheny Conference on Community Development.
A successful nominee is a creative and
innovative professional who serves and improves her community while actively
assisting other women in reaching their full potential.
Learn more and submit an online nomination at www.ATHENA-Pittsburgh.com by 5 p.m.
on June 30. Also, plan to attend
the 19th annual Greater Pittsburgh ATHENA Award
Program Luncheon on September 21, 2009 at the Westin
Convention Center Pittsburgh. |
|
|
Resources
New Research on Teen Dating Violence: A look at Parental Engagement and the Impact of the Economy
Liz Claiborne Inc. and Family Violence Prevention Fund
commissioned research to quantify levels of teen dating abuse, better
understand parental engagement on the issue, and determine if the economy had
an impact.
Key Findings: American teens from across the country
are experiencing alarmingly high levels of abuse in their
dating relationships, and the economy appears to have made it worse. Nearly half of all teens whose families have
experienced economic problems in the past year report having witnessed their
parents abusing each other. These teens report a higher incidence of abuse in
their own dating relationships. Parents are disturbingly out of touch with the level
of teen dating violence and abuse among their teens. The large
majority of abused teens are not informing parents and, even when they do, most
stay in abusive relationships.
Click here to view the Teen Dating Abuse Report 2009
|
|
|
"Cool" Summer Opportunities for Girls
Allegheny County's Summer Youth Employment Program
Click here to learn more about Allegheny County's Summer Youth Employment program. More than 600 jobs are available. Detailed job listings are available here.
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 SpiritŠ 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: Girl Scouts Western Pennsylvania Summer Opportunities for Girls Looking for something fun and challenging
to do this summer? Test your outdoor skills and live like
Gilligan and his friends at Gilligan's Island at
Camp Skymeadow. Enjoy a day of rides and water fun or camp overnight at
Idlewild Park
and Soak Zone on Girl Scout Day and Idlewild Camporee. Make your own fruit
smoothies, natural facemasks, lip gloss, bubble bath and fizzing bath bombs-at
Redwing Spa at Camp
Redwing . For: All girls may participate in the activities, events and camp
programs offered by Girl Scouts of Western Pennsylvania
listed in S'MORE Magazine. Details: Camp descriptions, dates, locations and costs are in
the online version of S'MORE magazine and events calendar at
www.gswpa.org.
For questions on summer camp or other great Girl Scout
adventures, please contact camp@gswpa.org or all 1.800.248.3355 x1004.
What: North Hills Youth Ministry Counseling Center Summer Programs
Social
Skills: Programs for Kids
"Friends for Keeps"
Who: Help
your 8-12 year olds learn the tools they need to make and keep good friends.Topics include:
Starting
and Maintaining Conversations
Joining
Others at Play
Good
Sportsmanship
Dealing
with Teasing and Bullying When: Two Sessions Available
6 consecutive Wednesdays, July 1
through August 5
1:00-2:30 pm
6:00-7:30 pm
Cost: $75 per person
To register: Call 412.366.1300.
Empowering Young Girls through Fairy Tales Workshop!
Goal: to empower
young girls to be heroines who are strong, brave, clever and resourceful. To
create "Savvy Cinderellas." Join us for this four week program in
which participants will develop critical thinking skills in a fun, creative
environment while learning the art of storytelling.
Who: Perfect fit for girls in grades 4, 5 and 6
When and Where: Session 1: Northland Library
(Tuesday and Thursday morning): July 7 & 9, 14 & 16, 21 & 23, 28
& 30 from 9:30 am to
11:30 am
Session 2: North Hills Youth Ministry Counseling Center
(Tuesday and Thursday afternoon): July 7 & 9, 14 & 16, 21 & 23, 28
& 30 from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm
Girls have the option
of a final group presentation at the local library!
Cost: $120 per
participant per session To register: Call 412.366.1300.
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. YMWAHA Camp NiaWhat: Nia
Summer Camp offers children exposure to a number of creational and artistic
activities. Children have the opportunity to participate in swimming, arts,
and crafts, archery, boating/fishing, ropes course, and outdoor cooking. The program also has a strong focus on literacy and nutrition.The last day of camp will be A Day of Caring in which campers
along with other community partners will take part in a collective service
project at the Family Resources Camp site. For: Children aged 6-13 years with counselor and
counselor-in-training positions available for youth aged 14-24 years. When and Where: June 22-July 31 at Family
Resources Retreat
Center located in
Cranberry. Children will need to be
dropped off at YMWAHA between 8-8:30 each morning and picked up by 5:00 pm.
Cost:Camp will run in six one week sessions at a cost of $130.00 per child per
session. Please be prepared to have a minimum $50.00
deposit at the time of registration. Registration: Contact Renee Harris Youth Coordinator at 412.322.4008. |
|
|
|
If you have any suggestions or comments about
the newsletter and how we can make it more readable and useful, please send them to info@girlscoalitionswpa.org. We would love to hear from you.
Sincerely,
Girls Coalition Southwestern Pennsylvania
|
|
|
