Empower a Middle School Girl

Greetings everyone,

The 4GIRLS Organization is excited to report that we recently named a new Executive Director, Janet Bittner. She has been involved with 4GIRLS since our inception operating in a variety of capacities, including being a mentor. Most recently a Sales Director at Brother International, and, with a successful 28-year track record in technology sales, Janet’s leadership skills are a tremendous asset to our organization. Having her in this expanded and dedicated role will help 4GIRLS to grow and evolve so that we can further our reach and inspire and empower even more girls.

And, speaking of inspiring and empowering girls, the Long Beach chapter has been busy at work planning the upcoming 4GIRLS annual workshop taking place on March 24^th and March 25^th. As you may know, the workshop is our marquee event, where middle school girls come together for two days of learning, fun and transformation. This year’s theme is “Confident” and we have a number of subject matter experts and a terrific key note speaker on deck to provide tools and share insights on how to build and exude confidence. This year will be the largest turn out ever – with approximately 150 middle school girls expected to attend! Compare this number to the 35 middle school girls that attended our first workshop 8 years ago, and it is clear that our message and mission is resonating!

In addition to planning the workshop, we have also been busy planning and executing on our ongoing “Empowerment Events”. On February 3^rd, 4GIRLS sponsored a CPR Training for the Long Beach chapter, which was delivered by instructors from Bixby Health and Safety. The course taught the girls how to perform basic CPR on adults, children and infants. And, it also taught them how to use an AED (Automated External Defibrillator) and how to help someone that is choking. The next Empowerment Event is slated for March 10^th, at the Ponderosa Family Resource Center, where the 4GIRLS Anaheim chapter will prepare 200 care kits for the homeless. Empowerment Events are a great way to keep the mission and message of 4GIRLS active throughout the year and we have a number of other great activities planned for 2018!

In closing, 4GIRLS is proud to be included in GlobalGiving’s 2018 Girl Fund Campaign, which runs through March 15^th. Please consider making a donation to our program during this campaign period – and, particularly on March 8^th, where we have an opportunity to have our donations matched. Help us to continue to inspire and empower girls and young women, like Ivy, a former participant and Junior Mentor, who has this to say about the program -   

“Before attending the 4GIRLS workshops, I wasn’t significantly insecure nor was I being bullied at school. But over the years, I did become more aware of the injustices taking place around me and was able to stick up for those being victimized using the tips I learned.

The 4GIRLS program has changed the way I view the world and how I react to things – not just bullying – but things like sexism and other types of discrimination.

Because of the 4GIRLS program, I have become conscious about my actions and the future I want for myself.”

Empowering and inspiring words, Ivy!

Thank you,

The 4GIRLS Board of Directors

Links:

• 4GIRLS Facebook Page
• 4GIRLS Website

Greetings everyone,

 We are excited to update you on our 4GIRLS activities as we have been very busy since our last report!  

 On September 16^th, the 4GIRLS Long Beach Chapter held its 8^th Annual Fundraising Gala at the Los Alamitos Bay Yacht Club in Long Beach, California. The event was successful in raising awareness, support and funding for our organization so that we can continue to deliver on our mission. The highlight of the evening was the presentation delivered by Diamond - who is now in high school and serving as one of our Junior Mentors, and who first became a member of 4GIRLS when she was in 7th grade. Diamond shared her memories of the 2014 Workshop, “…building confidence was one of the hardest things to do… I listened to keynote speaker, plus size model, Ashley Graham and it was so awesome for someone like myself to see. I remember most that she said she used to doubt herself a lot…she struggled with people telling her she would never be a model because of her size and she told us that size does not matter if you apply yourself to do whatever you want to achieve. After hearing what she said, I felt like I could do almost anything. Since that time, I have joined A.S.B, Drill Team, Drama, became a Varsity Cheerleader and I even became the Freshman Class Princess as well as Freshman Class President! So, I would say that the 4GIRLS program helped me to shine just as I should, with the name like Diamond!  As a Junior Mentor I am honored to help other girls do the same and to understand that we are capable of achieving any goals and dreams that we strive for. I am proud and incredibly thankful to be a part of 4GIRLS”.

 On October 14^th and 15^th, the 4GIRLS Orange County chapter held their 2nd, Annual Workshop at the Brookhurst Community Center in Anaheim, California. There were 68 middle school girls in attendance and 12 high-school aged Junior Mentors. The theme of the workshop was “Confidence” and every presenter wove that theme into their discussions. We had subject matter experts lead sessions on the topics of self-esteem, presenting oneself confidently, yoga, self-defense and healthy bodies. In addition, there was a powerful three-woman panel who spoke about how they found their confidence even while facing challenges and adversity. And, our generous keynote speaker, Jessica Resendiz from Raggedy Tiff, (raggedytiff.com), brought a handmade gift for all of the workshop participants, and, demonstrated to all of the girls what it means to share your talents confidently. Based on the feedback received from the girls, including, “I learned to no longer say bad things about myself” and, “If I were to make one change in my life tomorrow, I would never be afraid of anything”, the workshop accomplished its goal of teaching and building confidence!

 On November 4^th, the 4GIRLS Organization hosted a community event at The First Congregational Church of Long Beach. It was a memorable morning of inspiration and empowerment with Gerda Seifer, one of the last remaining Holocaust survivors. Seifer was 12 years old when the Germans bombed the Polish city of Przemysl - the city where she was born and raised. That event marked the beginning of the harrowing experience Seifer and her family endured for the next few years at the hands of the Nazis. Being that Seifer was, at that time, the same age as many of our girls, her story really resonated with them. For the last several decades, Seifer, a Long Beach resident, has been sharing her story of survival - “Mine is just one story out of millions,” she has said. “We all have different experiences, but they all end the same way – you either survive or you die.” The 4GIRLS Organization was humbled and grateful that she shared her story with our girls and with our community.

We wish you all a wonderful holiday season and look forward to connecting with you again after the New Year!

Sincerely,

The 4GIRLS Board of Directors

Links:

• 4GIRLS Website