Hello! My name is Lisanne and I am a new volunteer for Girls Inc. of Metro Denver, I started this past fall. As a Program Assistant for the Teen Center – Middle School Girls – I already have a lot of experiences to share. Being that we are at the door step of a new year it is a great time for reflection on 2009 and to say goodbye to another valuable year.
During my time at GIMD I have already helped with two classes, The Girls Action Project and Women in Film. I have also attended a vital Anti-Oppression training class that is being pioneered by GIMD! This training was a first of its kind and was thoughtfully put together by the staff. I found that having time set a side for volunteers to learn to identify oppression and tactics to combat such behaviors/environments made for an excellent space to become more connected with the other volunteers.
During the class time I participated in supporting the middle school girls in looking at their city and neighborhood, and even themselves, in new ways. The Girls Action Project was a class that focused on community activism – through identifying issues that matter to our girls and talking through pathways to help change those issues. Some of the pathways included political activism methods, as well as volunteering experiences like picking up trash and visiting a local shelter.
The second session I was involved in a class called Women In Film. This was a fun and relaxing class. Miss Lizzeth and I would try to have focus-questions for the girls to be thinking about while watching the films.
Is the main character realistic?
What is believable about her/him?
Are there stereotypes within the characters?
These were the types of questions we passionately discussed after each film. We also paired the movies with various ice-breaker activities like ‘Bowling for Myself’, where we all bowled-down the ‘pins’ of our insecurities, how liberating! Seeing the minds of these young women grow and hearing their independent thoughts on complicated issues was really inspiring.
I am not saying goodbye to anything in 2009 that wasn’t worth experiencing. In refection of this past year, and looking towards the next, it doesn’t hurt to be reminded that EVERYONE can benefit from being strong enough to stand up to oppression, smart enough to identify and break down stereotypes, and bold enough to step out into our communities and give back some time and heart.
Thanks GIMD for a great 2009, and Hello 2010!
Other reflections welcome…What was your NUMBER 1 inspiring moment of 2009?
During my time at GIMD I have already helped with two classes, The Girls Action Project and Women in Film. I have also attended a vital Anti-Oppression training class that is being pioneered by GIMD! This training was a first of its kind and was thoughtfully put together by the staff. I found that having time set a side for volunteers to learn to identify oppression and tactics to combat such behaviors/environments made for an excellent space to become more connected with the other volunteers.
During the class time I participated in supporting the middle school girls in looking at their city and neighborhood, and even themselves, in new ways. The Girls Action Project was a class that focused on community activism – through identifying issues that matter to our girls and talking through pathways to help change those issues. Some of the pathways included political activism methods, as well as volunteering experiences like picking up trash and visiting a local shelter.
The second session I was involved in a class called Women In Film. This was a fun and relaxing class. Miss Lizzeth and I would try to have focus-questions for the girls to be thinking about while watching the films.
Is the main character realistic?
What is believable about her/him?
Are there stereotypes within the characters?
These were the types of questions we passionately discussed after each film. We also paired the movies with various ice-breaker activities like ‘Bowling for Myself’, where we all bowled-down the ‘pins’ of our insecurities, how liberating! Seeing the minds of these young women grow and hearing their independent thoughts on complicated issues was really inspiring.
I am not saying goodbye to anything in 2009 that wasn’t worth experiencing. In refection of this past year, and looking towards the next, it doesn’t hurt to be reminded that EVERYONE can benefit from being strong enough to stand up to oppression, smart enough to identify and break down stereotypes, and bold enough to step out into our communities and give back some time and heart.
Thanks GIMD for a great 2009, and Hello 2010!
Other reflections welcome…What was your NUMBER 1 inspiring moment of 2009?
