Empower a Middle School Girl

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