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Girls For A Change Partners with Richmond's Camp Diva to Deliver Social Change Programming For Girls - Volunteer Coaches Needed for Fall 2011
RICHMOND, VA (August 1, 2011) - Girls For A Change, a national social profit organization that empowers girls to create social change, has created social change in Richmond, VA schools since 2008. To provide even higher level services to local girls through its afterschool program, GFC is proud to announce its partnership with Camp Diva, a bold presence in the Richmond community, providing programs for girls since 2003. By working together, community investment in these agencies results in even stronger local knowledge of the issues girls face in Richmond. The missions of Girls For A Change and Camp Diva align in a synergistic way and the breadth and depth of messaging about girl empowerment that is enabled by the partnership has huge implications. Girls ages 11-18 will receive 12 weeks of afterschool programming each fall and spring with the help of local women recruited and trained to be coaches.
Women over 18 can apply to be volunteer coaches, giving 15 hours per month between September and December 2011, working in local schools and agencies to facilitate the girls afterschool program. Coaches receive training and support and enjoy professional and life coaching as a result. To apply, email angela@girlsforachange.org.
Girls For A Change provides a curriculum that is facilitated by volunteers to Girl Action Teams of 10-15 girls who meet afterschool for 12 weeks. In the program, girls choose a community issue that is important to them, such as dating abuse, teen pregnancy, or racism. The girls are then empowered to design and lead a social change project to combat that issue. They learn problem solving, leadership, project management and failure recovery skills in the process. Camp Diva, through its passionate leader, Angela Patton, helps recruit and train the coaches under GFC's model, and with GFC staff, places them in the schools most needing afterschool programming. In partnership with Communities in Schools, GFC programming becomes part of the afterschool landscape; they provide locations for our coach training and support in implementing programs. Girls For A Change and Camp Diva want to empower young women to understand the power and resources they have in their community and selves, lead social change and speak out against societal issues that concern them.
"Empowering girls to believe in themselves and see themselves as social change agents starts with helping them to understand that they are powerful, merely by using their own voice," said Whitney Smith, founder and CEO of Girls For A Change. "If a girl does not feel comfortable in her own skin, it is almost certain she will suffer in all areas of her life. We see this partnership as a significant program that can change the way a girl makes choices about her own life. When a girl feels empowered, she is unstoppable and capable of amazing things!"
Angela Patton, Executive Director of Camp Diva, and a consultant for GFC in Richmond shares her excitement about working in partnership. "The chance to work together in such a positive way for Richmond girls is a once in a lifetime; we are truly responding to the needs of these girls in ways that have never been done before."
The skills girls learn in the program will last a lifetime, and the connections to positive adult role models and working in a team will set the stage for a network of sisters that will accompany them throughout their lives. Once you are part of Girls For A Change, you are always a part of something bigger than yourself.
For more information, visit our website at www.girlsforachange.org or email Lori Fitzmaurice, Girls For A Change or Angela Patton, CAMP DIVA.
About Girls for a Change
Girls For A Change (GFC) is a national non-profit organization that empowers girls to create social change. The organization invites young women to design, lead, fund and implement social change projects that tackle issues girls face. GFC provides the tools, resources, partnerships and support girls need to gain the voice, ability and problem-solving capacity to realize their full potential. GFC welcomes and serves all girls and focuses efforts on girls who live in low-income communities. For more information, visit www.girlsforachange.org.
About Camp Diva
Originally conceived as a spa camp, CAMP DIVA was born out of tragedy when a five-year-old named Diva Mstadi Smith- Roane lost her life due to a firearm accident on January 25, 2004. Though her time on Earth was short, Diva lived up to her name, which means "divine goddess." She loved unconditionally, was respectful, laughed a lot, had a positive attitude, possessed a pure heart, and led by example. She greeted everyone with her big bright eyes, friendly smile, sweet gentle voice, and a sincere hug. In remembrance of Miss Diva Mstadi Smith-Roane, with the cooperation of Clover Smith (Diva's mother), Angela Patton founded CAMP DIVA in summer 2004, allowing Diva's spirit to live on through others. Camp Diva offers multiple programs, most notably a summer camp experience for girls 11-17.
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