Sisterhood mentoring for 30 girls in St. John

Our girls often communicate that they feel invisible, as if their accomplishments, needs, and desires are not heard and don’t matter. Of course, they do! As our girls get older, they need to be prepared for the work force. Sisterhood Agenda encourages them with our unique C-MEE strategy: Citizenship, Mentoring, Education, and Employment.

From July 8-August 1, 2014, Sisterhood Agenda will serve 15 youth in the St. Thomas/St. John school district, the largest district in the U.S. Virgin Islands with Sisterhood Brotherhood Career Development & Life Skills Program.  This program incorporates Sisterhood Agenda's unique C-MEE strategy, a progressive out-of-school approach that includes gender-specific, culturally relevant, multi-media, and hands-on activities that engage young people. We combine both educational and occupational approaches. It is an enrichment strategy that includes: academics, drama, arts, culture, trades, health, life skills, self-esteem, sisterhood/brotherhood, athletics, and computers.

Past summer program sites included Tutu Park Mall and Ivanna Eudora Kean High School. This summer, the program will be held at the Tutu Park Mall.  Once the SEA building is constructed, we will be able to implement this program in our new Sisterhood Empowerment Academy (SEA) building.

The CMEE strategy teaches youth ages 14 and 15 to be responsible citizens and leaders as they prepare to enter the workforce by promoting these four key areas in the curriculum: Education, Employment, Mentoring, and Citizenship. In addition to encouraging entrepreneurship and self-determination, the program will help participants:

• Explore career and workforce options
• Promote school attendance and achievement,
• Prevent gang violence and juvenile delinquency,
• Prevent drug abuse, teen pregnancy and HIV/AIDS,
• Promote self-respect and respect for others,
• Promote cultural awareness and positive behaviors,
• Stimulate interest in technology and media,
• Teach life skills, holistic health and fitness,
• Use research-based approaches that work,
• Engage youth like never before!

Expenses for this program total $4,500 for the summer and $43,000 for the school year. Expenses include costs for program staff (project director and teacher/mentors), materials and supplies (books and educational supplies), local travel, insurance, communications, and program space.