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Don't miss the opportunity to join us for the 2016 Role Model Dinner! The annual event will be held on Wednesday, March 16th at Cobo Center. Tickets are $200 each. To learn more, visit the RMD webpage or purchase tickets online now.
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Alternatives For Girls
E-Newsletter
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Greetings!
"I believe there is a definite positive ripple effect that comes from empowering women. I have witnessed this during my experiences at AFG. Women in the Sew Great Detroit program share their resources and earnings with their children and grandchildren, and the children and adults in their neighborhoods as well. Women make the foundation of our families and communities," shares Janet McAuliffe, AFG volunteer, and the recipient of this year's Champion Role Model Award.
In January, we shared our interview with Denise Brooks-Williams. Read on to meet our other two 2016 Role Models, Janet McAuliffe and Raquel Castañeda-López, and to hear about a recent training and employment fair held at AFG!
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On February 15, 2016, AFG hosted "Training for Tomorrow". Open to current and former AFG participants and their families, the event allowed attendees the chance to learn about training and employment opportunities at five organizations around Detroit. Attendees were able to apply for paid trainings with as many of the businesses that interested them. The businesses and organizations were on hand to introduce their companies to those in attendance and talk about the opportunities available.
AFG's Sew Great Detroit was just one example of an available
opportunity for the 20 participants who attended. Janet McAuliffe, Sew
Great Detroit volunteer, passed around the tote bags made by previous Sew Great participants and encouraged anyone
interested in learning to sew to apply. Other businesses represented included: Eat No Evil, Jewish Vocational Services (JVS), Focus: HOPE, and Southwest Solutions. All 20 attendees were able to sign up for one or more of the training opportunities that interested them! Those accepted to the programs will receive paid training and ongoing part-time employment opportunities.
Alternatives For Girls would like to thank all of the businesses and organizations that came to "Training For Tomorrow" and offered resources and opportunities to the young women AFG serves! |
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Meet the Role Model: Raquel Castañeda-López
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 Meet Raquel Castañeda-López, one of our 2016 Role Models. Ms. Castañeda-López is the District 6 Detroit City Council Member and will be receiving the Community Award at this year's Role Model Dinner. When Ms. Castañeda-López was younger, she was also a participant in AFG's Prevention Program!
Here are some clips from her recent conversation with AFG.
AFG: Clearly, you have felt inspired to give back to the community. Is there any part of your personal story that has led to this?
Castañeda-López: My parents instilled a sense of social community in me. We didn't have a car and when we took the bus, people in our neighborhood would offer us a ride. My father was an immigrant and would help other immigrants. So now if there is something that I can give or do to help the people that helped me when I was a girl, I'll do it.
AFG: Can you tell us about some of the things you learned at AFG or how the programs made an impact on you when you were growing up?
Castañeda-López: They taught us a lot of skills, but also the overall sense that we all have value and everyone should have the same opportunities. I saw the way girls and women were treated in society, and that there are these larger injustices in the world, and that started my sense of social justice. [AFG] gave me the opportunity to see it in a personal way and that everyone should have equal opportunities.
AFG: What do you like best about the Detroit area?
Castañeda-López: We have a sense of international community. Now, being on the City Council, I've learned a lot about the different neighborhoods and there is a great diversity of economic levels and ethnicities. There is also a sense of perseverance, hope, and solidarity. That is why I live here and why I haven't left the city.
AFG: Why do you believe that it is important to empower girls and young women?
Castañeda-López: We are human beings and just like anyone else we have potential. We have valuable experiences to share and it's important to allow that space to happen. Girls and women are often denied that opportunity. The work of AFG counteracts that to help create an equal playing field. Everyone's voice is powerful and impactful. And you don't know who someone's voice will touch. We all need to invest in the success of women. In financial terms, when you invest in women and their families, their communities' do better and just thinking of their larger role, that in itself merits investment.
AFG: Which of your accomplishments are you the most proud of? Castañeda-López: Definitely graduating from college and getting my master's degree, I think that is a great accomplishment as a first generation college student. My ability to travel and study abroad, because we didn't have a lot of financial resources, so I worked hard for scholarships to support that work. My family as a whole. I'm proud of the accomplishments of my mom, despite the financial challenges and being a single mom, she was still able to provide us specific opportunities and instill giving back. And as a family, our ability to embody those values. I'm proud of being a Council Member. I'm proud that I was able to overcome my fears of running for office. And I'm proud of the work my office is doing on the City Council.
AFG: What advice would you give to the young women that AFG serves? Castañeda-López: There's a Winnie the Pooh quote that my brother always uses, "Promise me you'll always remember: You're braver than you believe, and stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think." I think that it is important for girls to know because so often we devalue ourselves and let others hold us back, I would say to embrace that. Despite your challenges, whether you dropped out of school, or are pregnant, there is power to that. Don't be ashamed or embarrassed, your voice is important and it is your responsibly to share that with others. Always keep that in mind.
To purchase tickets or learn more about AFG's Role Model Dinner, visit our Role Model Dinner page on our website.
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Meet the Role Model: Janet McAuliffe
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 Meet Janet McAuliffe, our final2016 Role Model. Ms. McAuliffe
is a community volunteer and
will be receiving the Champion Award at this year's Role Model Dinner. Ms. McAuliffe is an AFG volunteer and, with the help of AFG staff and other volunteers, created the Sew Great Detroit Program, a weekly commercial sewing employment training program headed by volunteers and support staff.
Here are some clips from her recent conversation with AFG.
AFG: What advice would you give to others who would like to become more involved in the community, but aren't sure what to do?
McAuliffe: Think about what you enjoy doing: art, music, dance, organizing, writing, baseball, etc. There is probably an opportunity to participate in or to create a volunteer activity that involves what you enjoy. I really wish that there was a music program at AFG. I am certain that girls and women would enjoy being in a band and I know that with the kind help of music loving volunteers it could happen! Along the way, you will make some great friends!
AFG: Why did you choose to volunteer here at AFG?
McAuliffe: I think that opportunity for education and economic independence of women are critical factors for families and communities to flourish. AFG's mission to help high risk girls and women to become strong and to make positive choices in their lives truly resonated with my beliefs and values. The important role that women fulfill to secure strong families and strong communities cannot be underestimated. I was very impressed with the programs that AFG offers to girls and women of all ages. I was also very interested in the urban gardening movement in Detroit so when I found out that there was a garden at AFG I was eager to participate. Volunteer, Barbara Hayes, started the gardening workshops for the Rise 'N Shine summer program many years ago. Barb was a wonderful mentor when I began volunteering and she continues to be a great friend. Assisting her with the workshops with the girls was not only great fun, it was very fulfilling.
AFG: What do you like best about the Detroit area?
McAuliffe: There is so much energy, heart, and soul in Detroit. So much is happening here every day. I like to take surface streets when I drive to AFG so that I can see what is happening. It seems that every day I see something new going on. Not just the big projects in mid-town but in neighborhoods, at the "grassroots" level. For example, I noticed shortly after an abandoned house was finally removed, there was a horseshoe pit set up in the lot and young people were out there tossing horseshoes. Not far from this spot, a new pocket park was designed in a vacant lot. I love seeing these changes.
AFG: Why do you believe that it is important to empower girls and young women? McAuliffe: When women flourish so do their children and their communities. I believe there is a definite positive ripple effect that comes from empowering women. I have witnessed this during my experiences at AFG. Women in the Sew Great Detroit program share their resources and earnings with their children and grandchildren, and the children and adults in their neighborhoods as well. Women make the foundation of our families and communities.
AFG: Who are your role models? McAuliffe: My mother was a wonderful role model. She was loving, patient, and good humored and I'm grateful for the values that she taught me. I admire her quiet strength in fulfilling the role of breadwinner and single parent when my father passed away. I was also fortunate to have loving grandparents, generous uncles and aunts, and excellent teachers in school. When I was in high school, the music teacher, Sr. Moira, invited me to take violin lessons and to join the orchestra. I had never played the violin before and I had no talent but she encouraged my determination. Although my music career ended in high school, I will never forget her kindness. AFG: What advice would you give to the young women that AFG serves? McAuliffe: Believe in yourself. Envision your success and think about the steps that you can take that will lead you there. You have special gifts and talents. Reach out to people who can help you. You can learn new things. The road to growth and happiness does include making mistakes. List everything that you can learn from a mistake and celebrate turning a negative into a positive. Keep moving forward toward your goal.
To purchase tickets or learn more about AFG's Role Model Dinner, visit our Role Model Dinner page on our website.
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Thank you for your continued support!
Sincerely,
Amanda (Amy) L. Good
CEO
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