2012 programs offered

We currently conduct the following national and local level programs:

Stand Up! Standing up to relational aggression

• 1st – 12th grades
• 6 sessions
• 60 - 90 minutes a session
• 8 – 15 participants
• Partner pays flat fee based on mileage

Relational aggression- often referred to as “Mean Girl” behavior- is frequently rationalized as “girls being girls” or overshadowed by more overt forms of bullying. Relational aggression is often just as damaging to a girl’s self-concept and interferes with her academic and physical development. Be Bold teaches girls how to identify relational aggression, how it effects their lives, and how to constructively resolve conflict. Relational aggression via text messaging and cyber-bullying is also addressed.

Discovery Leadership ^SM

• 4th -6th grade
• 12 sessions
• 90 minutes a session
• 8 – 15 participants
• $300

Girls build their leadership skills and create lasting social change through community action projects. Girls celebrate the heritage of girls and women as leaders and develop awareness of themselves as community resources and trustees of the common good.

Equal Earners, Savvy Spenders ^SM

• 6th –  8th grades (ages 11 – 14)
• 10 sessions
• 60 minutes a session
• 8 – 15 participants
• Partner pays flat fee based on mileage

This program focuses on economic and financial topics such as wants and needs, career development, banking skills, loan options, credit cards, investment risk vs. return, consumer tips, media literacy, labor laws, taxes and government services, philanthropy, global economics, and fitting a career into a full, well-rounded life.  The information is presented in a way that is inclusive and fun for girls.

Health and Wellness

Mind + Body ^SM

• 1st – 12th grades (ages 6 – 18)
• number of sessions dependent upon needs of girls (minimum 4)
• 60 minutes a session
• 8 – 15 participants
• Partner pays flat fee based on mileage

This initiative provides girls with the information, skills, motivation, and support to be in charge of their health. Mind + Body focuses on four key areas that are significant when it comes to girls’ whole health: nutrition, physical activity, body image, and stress management. Comprehensive assessments are completed prior to the first session and the programs are tailored to meet the unique needs of each group of girls. Some common program goals are reducing rates of obesity and other eating disorders and substance abuse prevention.

Friendly PEERsuasion ^®

• 5th – 8th grades (ages 11 – 14)
• 15 sessions
• 90 minutes a session
• 8 – 15 participants
• Partner pays flat fee based on mileage

This program is more intensely focused on substance abuse prevention. Participants acquire the skills and knowledge needed to resist the pressure to abuse substances; and also form support systems. This program has been nationally recognized by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMSA) as an “Effective Substance Abuse Program.”

Preventing Adolescent Pregnancy

Growing Up! Body Basics ^SM

• 3rd – 5th grades (ages 8 – 11)
• 3 sessions
• 60 minutes a session
• 8 – 10 participants
• Partner pays flat fee based on mileage

This program was specifically designed to provide information about puberty and menstruation for an age group usually thought of as too young for this information, but which may already be experiencing secondary or even primary characteristics. This program provides accurate, age-appropriate information on why and how their bodies are changing.

Will Power/Won’t Power ^®

• 6th – 8th grades (ages 11 – 14)
• 10 sessions
• 90 minutes a session
• 8 – 15 participants
• Partner pays flat fee based on mileage

Utilizing the philosophy of Abstinence Plus, girls learn how to separate reality from myth, how to make difficult decisions, how to develop a positive peer support for abstinence including a Sister Support System, how to resist or withstand pressure, how to communicate their feelings, and how to recognize different kinds of relationships.

Taking Care of Business ^®

• 9th – 12th grades (ages 14 – 18)
• 10 sessions
• 90 minutes a session
• 8 – 15 participants
• Partner pays flat fee based on mileage

This program covers the same topics that are included in Will Power/Won't Power in a manner that is developmentally appropriate for high school age girls. Additionally, Taking Care of Business includes facts on contraception and protection using an Abstinence Plus approach.

Know Your Rights

• 1st – 12th grades (ages 6 – 18)
• 6 sessions
• 60 - 90 minutes a session
• 8 – 15 participants
• Partner pays flat fee based on mileage

Each session of Know Your Rights is dedicated to Girls Inc.’s Girls Bill of Rights, which states that girls have the right to:

• Be themselves and to resist gender stereotypes.
• Express themselves with originality and enthusiasm.
• Take risks, to strive freely, and to take pride in success.
• Appreciate and accept their bodies.
• Have confidence in themselves and to be safe in the world.
• Prepare for interesting work and economic independence.

Operation SMART ^®

My Girlfriend Zelda ^SM

• 1st – 3rd grades (ages 6 – 9)
• 8 sessions
• 90 minutes a session
• 8 – 10 participants
• $120

This program is an age-appropriate introductory anatomy and physiology program. Its two purposes are to help girls learn about their bodies and to acquaint girls with the roles and responsibilities of health care professionals.

Club ZOOM Engineering

• 4th – 8th grades (ages 9 – 14)
• 3 or 6 sessions (ClubZOOM has two 3 session modules, each with different activities)
• 60 minutes a session
• 8 – 15 participants
• Partner pays flat fee based on mileage

This program aims to remove the barrier of low-expectations that girls face in male-dominated fields. In ClubZOOM, girls learn the scientific process and tackle engineering challenges through hands-on activities. A preliminary program evaluation reveals that the more a girl participates in ClubZOOM and other Operation SMART programs, the more favorable her attitude toward studying science and math.

Solar Power, Girl Power

• 4th – 8th grades (ages 9 – 14)
• 3 sessions
• 60 – 90 minutes a session
• 8 – 15 participants
• NO FEE

Girls explore solar energy technology through the construction of their own solar-powered model car. Our goal is to give girls hands-on-experience with math, science, and relevant technology in a way that is fun and exciting!

Project Bold

Be BOLD

• ages 6 – 8
• 12–13 sessions
• 60 –70 minutes a session
• 8 – 15 participants
• Partner pays flat fee based on mileage

This program focuses on girls’ skills and personal power for avoiding or dealing with hurtful or dangerous situations and assists them in identifying resources that contribute to their safety. Parents have a key role in supporting girls throughout the program.

Action for Safety ^SM

• ages 9 – 11
• 12–13 sessions
• 60 minutes a session
• 8 – 15 participants
• Partner pays flat fee based on mileage

This program builds negotiation, assertiveness, and self-defense skills. It facilitates open and honest discussions to increase girls’ understanding about interpersonal violence as well as encourage, support, and lessen the fear and isolation of girls experiencing violence.

Living Safe & Strong ^sm

• ages 12 – 14
• 12–13 sessions
• 60 –70 minutes a session
• 8 – 15 participants
• Partner pays flat fee based on mileage

This program continues the discussion of gender violence issues, reinforces and provides additional safety strategies and self-defense skills for teen girls, and introduces them to community experts and resources. Girls also develop and conduct community action projects addressing violence issues important to them.

Strong, Smart, and Bold

• 1st – 12th grades (ages 6 – 18)
• 1 session
• 60 minutes
• 8 – 15 participants
• NO FEE

Introduces girls to the mission of Girls Inc. and helps them define what it means to be strong, smart, and bold. Girls identify ways in which they, and the women around them, exemplify these characteristics in day-to-day life.

For more information or to schedule a program, contact:

Jennifer Blakeman, Program Director
713-802-2260 ext. 11
jennifer@girlsinc-houston.org