New York
Girl Action Team Projects in New York City
These projects were created during the Academic year of 2009-2010:Creston/E. Fordham Academy I – Preventing Date Rape
The girls on this team found that studies show that girls under the influence of alcohol and drugs are more susceptible to sexual assault. So they contacted Safe Horizon's Rape Victim Program and wrote a short play. The play and a presentation by Safe Horizon was presented to the school in June 2010. The goal was to inform girls about the dangers of using alcohol and drugs and also tips for staying safe. They hope this education will keep many girls out of situations that end in sexual assault.
Urban Assembly School for Criminal Justice – CommUNITY Mural
The girls of UASCJ wanted to increase multicultural understanding among their highly diverse student body. To start the conversation, the team planned a mural that wrapped around one of the staircases at the school. In partnership with a local artist and supported by the faulty at the school, the girls designed a mural that highlights the many cultures represented at the school and promotes peace, friendship and understanding. The mural was completed at the end of June 2010.
MS 399 in collaboration with Morris Heights Health Center
In their second year of GFC, the girls of MS399 decided to tackle the issue of human trafficking. The girls learned more about this issue in partnership with the non profit Girls Educational and Mentoring Services(GEMS) which is based in New York City. After getting educated, the team decided on the root cause of commercial sexual exploitation of women and girls. They identified this cause after discussing the media's sexualization of women and its glamorization of "street" life. After several delays due to snow, the girls held their educational event on March 5, 2010 at the school. At this event, they had a presentation by GEMS and the girls discussed the media's role in exploitation of women. They also shared resources on how to get involved in stopping human trafficking. The presentation had over 60 participants!
