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Role Model Nomination Deadline October 2nd!
Do you know an exceptional woman in our community? Nominate her to become an AFG Role Model! The deadline for nominations is this Friday, October 2nd! Click here to make a nomination on our website or call (313)361-4000 ext. 223 to learn more.
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Alternatives For Girls
News
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Greetings!
"If I didn't come to AFG, I wouldn't be sitting here today. I don't know where  I'd be," O'Lissa, former Shelter resident, shared. O'Lissa's mother was arrested just days before her 18th birthday, leaving O'Lissa and her son with no place to turn. With the help of a family member, O'Lissa found Alternatives For Girls and after only 6 months in AFG's shelter she was able to complete high school and move into her own apartment, where she has been for 10 months now! Because of your support, young women like O'Lissa are completing their education, finding employment, securing housing, and becoming independent, successful adults. Click here to help change the ending for at-risk girls and women today!
Read on to hear about the Mary McBride Band's concert and songwriting workshop at AFG and our annual Positive Choices, Powerful Lives event.
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The Mary McBride Band's Home Tour Visits Alternatives For Girls
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Woke up at 5:40 with a meow meow on my face
with a meow meow on my face
Had a big old cup of coffee and a bowl of frosted flakes,
and a bowl of frosted flakes
A group of girls stand on the stage in AFG's community room, holding the original song they had written with the Mary McBride Band days before. The girls sway, tap their feet, and nod their heads to the rhythm of the song and sing it with contagious enthusiasm. Mary McBride, the band's lead singer, encourages the audience to sing along and as they do, the smiles on the girl's faces grow. |
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The girls and women of AFG preform their original song with The Mary McBride Band!
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Mary McBride founded The Home Tour, which uses live music to enrich lives, inspire and connect people, and engage with communities around the world, in 2010. Since then, the Mary McBride Band has performed in over 25 countries to residents in communities who do not have access to live music, such as homeless shelters, long-term health care centers, and more. This month, the band spent two weeks holding free concerts and songwriting workshops all around Detroit, and AFG was their final stop. Before holding the concert at AFG for participants and their families, the Mary McBride Band stopped by AFG to hold a songwriting workshop for a group of girls and young women from AFG's programs. The song is about the first day of school and the ups and downs that come with it. "It was fun because we all got to add our own ideas in," one participant shared. With the help from the band, the participants were able to learn about the song writing process and feel empowered to keep creating songs to express how they feel.
 During the concert, held on September 18th, the band played songs from their four studio albums and covered hits like "Mercy" by Duffy and "I Don't Need No Doctor" by Ray Charles. The younger participants watched their performances, mesmerized by the instruments and Mary's beautiful voice. Throughout the concert, McBride offered up the mic to the audience and many talent AFG singers covered songs from Erykah Badu, Amy Winehouse, and an adorable rendition of "Let It Go" that had the entire audience singing along. Of course, the highlight of the concert was the performance of the original song written by the girls and young women of AFG. They joined the band onstage and sang their song not once, but twice, while the audience sang along with them. It was clear by their smiles and laughter that it was an experience they will remember for a long time.
Alternatives For Girls would like to thank the Mary McBride Band for providing this amazing opportunity for the girls and women we serve!
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2015 Positive Choices, Powerful Lives Event
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 On September 24th, Alternatives For Girls held its annual Positive Choices, Powerful Lives event at the Detroit Historical Museum. The event raised more than $12,000 for AFG, and had over 80 attendees! The guests heard inspirational stories from three young women, one from each of AFG's programs. After the program, they were welcomed to explore the museum.
"All I can say is life couldn't have gotten better without Alternatives for Girls, who has supported my dreams: past, present and my upcoming future. It's almost like AFG is the sun of my sky, and knows just when to shine when I have my dark moments. I am very grateful for the things AFG has taught me and given to me, such as the development of my character," shared De'Anna, AFG Peer Educator and future Zoologist.
AFG would like to thank the table hosts for inviting their friends and families to the event, Michelle Crockett, Chair of AFG's Board of Directors, for being our emcee, Bradley Gayton, member of AFG's Board of Directors, for making a moving case to support AFG, De'Anna, Alaya, and Talina for sharing their inspiring stories, and finally all of our event attendees for spending the evening with us!
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Thank you for your continued support!
Sincerely,
Amanda (Amy) L. Good
CEO
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