Middle School Girls Groups
We offer weekly Girls’ Groups and one-on-one support for 8th grade girls at Denny Middle School, Aki Kurose Academy and Asa Mercer Middle Schools during the school year.
During the summer we run a three-week leadership camp called,Girls Rising, for incoming 8th grade girls. Girls Rising focuses on developing a positive girl culture through art projects, field trips and partner trainings. The intention is that the Girls Rising is a preface for girls entering the year long program.
Our intention with middle school aged girls we hope that girls can take pride in who they are and recognize the privileges and oppressions that accompany the facets of their identity. With this analysis, girls are able to develop healthy relationships to peers and adults, advocate for their educational needs, and achieve their academic, career, and life goals.
We strive to create a space where girls can do this by exposing them to a diverse staff, volunteers, and partners who are supportive and strong females. We provide structured opportunities for youth to practice and develop their leadership skills as well as hold end of program celebrations to acknowledge their accomplishments.
How many girls are served by these programs annually?
On average we serve 40 middle school aged youth per year in the Middle School program.
How does Powerful Voices fund the Middle School Programs?
We fund the middle school programs through the generous support of United Way King County and the individual donors that help PV do its work.
How girls come to the program:
We recruit girls through referrals from teachers, counselors, & parent/guardian requests as well as peer recruitment and outreach to the eighth grade class.
What are the specific objectives of the Middle School Programs?
- Girls demonstrate and report increased ability to work with female peers
- Girls value supporting and encouraging each other
- Girls develop leadership through social responsibility and activism
- Girls increase communication skills including stating needs, listening, empathy, and recognizing differences
- Girls practice critical thinking skills to make healthy choices
- Girls have Increased experiences with activists and role models community
- Girls can connect values to decision-making
- Girls develop respect for self and others through the exploration of identity and oppression
- Girls remain engaged with PV community
Contacts:
Aki Kurose & Asa Mercer:
Charhys Bailey, Middle School Instructional Coordinator
Caroline Rex-Waller, JustServe AmeriCorps Intern
Denny:
Frankie Roe, Case Manager/Youth Advocate
Nicole Aranda, MSW Intern