Empower Hour Girls Program

Grateful Post Alert!!! First session of 2022 is in the books and we had 40 girls!! When I started the Empower Hour in Harrisburg, PA years ago four of the biggest challenges were recruiting, transportation, funding and facility. We made it work but I knew we needed to SHIFT. When I moved back to CT we faced the same challenges but we always had a strong TEN. WELP we shifted and have managed to kick those challenges to the curb. Community partnerships are KEY and we have those. We have partnered with organizations that see the value of consistent programming. We go to the mountain instead of trying to move it. We are now in three schools in the and are enjoying every moment. Shifting is not easy but it's necessary for growth. As to sustainability; our strong TEN will become our program directors. I still can't believe they are in high school/graduates now. This is our 4th year doing this. Sometimes growth happens underground!

Volunteering is definitely a little different in the Covid Era but there is still work to be done and we aredefinitely overdue for a community service day. A small group of our teens and tweens volunteered with the Hartford Project today. They assisted the Gardner Farmers Market with handing out information about the North Hartford Community Day that is coming soon l; after lunch they wrote cards of encouragement for an organization that assists survivors of human trafficking. It was such a great day and I am always proud of their efforts. As hot as it was outside they never complained and spoke confidently when educating individuals about the benefits of SNAP when utilized at a Farmers Market!

Tonights session was SO good! We continued our focus on Advocacy and discussed different stereotypes that we face as Black girls. We also discussed media and the way black girls are often portrayed. One of the young ladies brought up Colorism and not only its effect on our community but also its portrayal in media. We also discussed the roots of colorism and that conversation then evolved into a discussion on Texturism. Tonight I learned so much from them! These girls continue to amaze me. I am SO proud of their confidence in discussing things they are facing and have faced! The journey continues!

Yesterday evening we had our second teen session on Advocacy and it was AMAZING! We continued our viewing of the Pushout documentary and also held a discussion on experiences when the young ladies may have felt singled out, unfairly punished, and targeted/misunderstood by a teacher. The stories were so similar and our takeaway was that we as a society have normalized unacceptable behaviors due to unfair stereotypes that have been placed on our girls. These young ladies are determined to shatter those stereotypes and change the narrative!!! Stay tuned and thank you all for your continued support of our girls!

First session on Advocacy tonight and it was AMAZING! We had an awesome group of six young ladies (the sisters shared a screen lol)and I'm so excited to see what their focus becomes. They are very aware of the disparities they face as young black women in the education system; and awareness is the first step. Stay tuned!

It's about that time. Our Spring session begins on May 5th! We are going virtual and have limited spaces available. For additional information please email us at [email protected].

Yesterday we had an awesome day volunteering with The Hartford Project! We spent a few hours at one of the city's hidden treasures, The Keney Park Sustainability Center Keney Park Sustainability Project!!! The girls weeded the veggies and planted mum. We also met some farm friendly animals friends. Special thanks to Herb from the center and the Hartford Project for always including us!!!

It's about that time!!! We will be hosting our annual community service/year-end celebration. This is our 6th year and to date we have donated 100 blankets!

Can't believe this is year number 4 in Hartford and 6 years in existence for the Empower Hour Girls Program. We average 28-30 girls per session. Our October 2017 session is now and we continued our discussion on setting goals and achieving them. We worked on our journals and introduced four new girls to program!!! We are growing and are gelling as a unit. I thank all of you parents and guardians for entrusting your young ladies to me! Enjoy our photos and our monthly grid will be up tomorrow!!