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