Women Helping Girls

Women Helping Girls (WHG) is a program of the of the American Association of University Women’s Greater Rochester Area Branch targeted to girls from 12 to 18 years old in the Rochester City School District (RCSD).

WHG is based on the mentoring concept with program elements added. It is designed to broaden the horizons of inner-city girls and to encourage them to remain in school, gain confidence and see a future where success and self-reliance are attainable.

———————————————————————–

WHG is gearing up for another year of activities and events to offer our mentor pairs. As the new Chair of WHG I look forward to working with our coordinators to provide opportunities for the girls to explore new ideas, activities and relationships. Our coordinators: Skye Bird -Program Coordinator, Chloe Anderson – Mentor Coordinator and Amy Kaufman – event coordinator have worked all summer to create this year’s program. The first half of the year is geared toward teaching the girls about personal finances and budgeting.

The WHG Planning Committee created a new position, on a trial basis for the year, of Volunteer Coordinator and Komekia Peterson is filling that position. The VC is charged with keeping volunteers who want to remain a part of WHG community connected to the program. Tonya Dickerson and Justine Rumbel are joining us as co-chairs of the College Bound committee. We are staffed and ready to meet the challenges and needs to maintain the success that has been associated with WHG.

This is a special year for WHG as we begin a yearlong celebration of our twentieth anniversary with a fundraiser on Saturday, September 29, from 7:00 pm until 9:00 pm at the AAUW house. We will have the 6th Annual Quilt Auction, music, food and dancing for our guests to enjoy.

The invitation states the dress is Black Tie/Semi-Formal in error it is Casual-Elegant. Invitations were sent to all those who have supported WHG through contributions or volunteer service. All are welcome. If you would like to join in the celebration call the WHG office for additional information.

A special thanks goes out to the WHG founders, Beverly Vaughan, Anne Miller, Bettie Lindley, and Dorothy Pecoraro for reaching out to help girls in the Rochester City School District. To coin a phrase, “We’ve come a long way.”

Mentors and volunteers are always welcome at WHG. If you are interested call the WHG office. Training is offered periodically throughout the year. So, it is never too late to join us.

from ~Patricia Shurn Thompson, Chair

———————————————————————–

Women Helping Girls looks forward to Upcoming Events and Fundraisers

April 17 – Dress A Girl Around the World
This is the official WHG event of the month of April. The girls will be picked up from school on this Tuesday and taken to St. Ceclia’s on Culver to join the local chapter in making dresses and dolls for girls in 3rd world countries. We will also be supplying material for the dresses and food for the chapter dinner – a community and world-wide service event.

April 22 – ROCtheRunway (Fundraiser)
WHG girls will participate in this fundraiser with various responsibilities; helping the models dress, handing out programs etc. Proceeds of ticket sales will be given to WHG. We are looking forward to this fabulous event held at the Memorial Art Gallery!

April 27 – Sankofa
A dance event hosted by a local college!

April 28 – Spencerport High School (Fundraiser)
Courtney Willison (Lilac Queen and a speaker at WHG during the 2010-2011 school year) is heading up her Senior Class fundraiser to benefit WHG! This will be a dance/arts event and involve our girls. A unique experience for all.

We are looking forward to a full month of events and interaction with our community.

Amy Kauffman
Event Coordinator, Women Helping Girls, AAUW
Website: http://womenhelpinggirls.org/

Contact, Susan S. Donavan, www.womenhelpinggirls.org.