Empower a Middle School Girl

Greetings 4GIRLS Friends and Supporters,

Inspiration and empowerment are alive and well in the 4GIRLS organization, and it’s been a busy summer! Worthy is the word and our Middle School Girls and High Schoolers proved us right as they participated in our 2nd Annual Virtual Workshop on July 17^th.  Our 2021 Scholarship program was a success, as we awarded $9500 in July to colleges and universities for graduating high school seniors and middle school girls to support their summer enrichment programs.  4GIRLS also kicked off a new Junior Mentor Program to provide continual support our organization’s mission of empowering and inspiring middle school girls to identify themselves as authentic, confident, and resilient, preparing them for real life success.  

The 4GIRLS principle event is a weekend workshop, where we provide two full days of empowerment with fun activities, inspirational speakers and program presenters in a safe, inclusive environment.  After cancelling our 10^thAnnual workshop scheduled in March 2020, we transitioned to a virtual platform.  Once again, with the in-person restrictions and spike in Covid-19 infections, we decided to hold our 11^th Annual Workshop event virtually, as well.  On Saturday, July 17^th, we hosted a 4 ½ hour online workshop with 58 registered participants, 7 Junior Mentors, 5 presenters, and a Keynote speaker, Aman Batra, Punjabi American poet.  (You might remember her from our Community Event celebrating Women’s History Month.) Workshop Topics included Mental Health, Mindfulness, Affirmations, Vision Journaling, Poetry, Health and Wellness, and Social Justice.  Of course, all of this was at no cost to the participants.

4GIRLS Organization awarded four (4) $2000 scholarships to past workshop participants who were now graduating seniors.  All four of our high school applicants had inspirational stories, and two had overcome difficult family challenges and experiences in the Foster Care system.  They all had impressive resumes of community service, extracurricular and academic excellence, and have been accepted to colleges and universities like Carnegie Mellon’s Tepper School of Business and the University of Michigan.  Two applicants are starting at community colleges, one in Seattle to establish residency, and one at Fullerton with the goal of transferring to UCI in 2023.  They all gave credit to 4GIRLS workshops for empowering them to make positive changes in their lives.

The three middle school applicants are pursuing enrichment opportunities such as music, art, and surfing as they prepare for their high school experience.  Their involvement with 4GIRLS Workshops has empowered them to excel in their personal achievement and have confidence as they create goals and dreams for themselves.  They are testimony to what can be accomplished by a little inspiration for girls in their middle school years.

Finally, in June we kicked off our Junior Mentor Program which is now a year-round program to support the 4GIRLS mission.  While continuing to develop their leadership skills and confidence, our high school girls are active in workshop presentations, empowerment events, fundraising, and social media.  We are very proud of these young women and look forward to seeing what they will achieve in the future.

As we say goodbye to summer, we wish you all a healthy and safe Fall. We remain grateful for the time, talent, and treasure you provide, and thank you for finding us worthy of your support.

Sincerely,

The 4GIRLS Board of Directors