Virginia
Girl Action Team Projects in Richmond
Check out the projects Girl Action Teams in Richmond created during the 2009-10 program year.Albert Hill Middle School – Reducing Stress
After discussing the many reasons why youth turn to drugs and alcohol, the girls found one root cause that really stood out – stress. The team decided to conduct a stress reduction seminar for 5th grade students. The seminar was 45 minutes in length and included an introduction, 3 stress reducing "stations" and a closing with a Q and A. The stress reduction ideas the girls shared during the seminar included art therapy projects, meditation, yoga, breathing exercises and journaling. They hoped the 5th graders will have the tools they needed to tackle stress so they won't turn to drugs and alcohol when they get to middle school.
Boushall Middle School – Thank You Teachers!
Of the many issues the girls discussed, the relationship between students and teachers was at the top of the list. The girls boiled the root causes down to lack of trust and respect - on both sides. The girls decided they would write anonymous thank you notes to every teacher with specific notes about what they liked about them. For example, "We really appreciate how you always take time outside of the classroom to ask about our families and friends. This helped us know that we matter to you. You matter to us! Thanks again! GFC!" The girls delivered each thank you note to the teacher’s mailboxes. The girls hoped their project will change the community in two important ways: by helping the girls see the goodness that is all around them and by creating a chain of positivity and appreciation that extends to others.
Thompson Middle School – Resources for Abuse Prevention
After settling on child abuse as their community issue, the girls of Team #4 brainstormed how to recognize symptoms of abuse in their friends and educated themselves about the types, effects and causes of child abuse. Then they discussed what they would do if they suspected someone was being abused and how to be a change agent by helping victims access resources. In addition, the team also developed a resource list of people and organizations that youth can turn to if they are being abused. They are working with the school to place this list in the cafeteria, the library and other locations in the school.
Community Action Teams - City of Richmond, Truancy Prevention Project
GFC staff conducted multiple workshops with young women in the City of Richmond’s Truancy Prevention Project. The program sets high expectations for school attendance and GFC was invited to support girls in being change agents in their own lives. Through three sessions of the program, girls learned about social change, discovering their own passions and ways to create change. The program was a success and led to school counselors referring more girls to the GFC program.
