Olympia’s YWCA – Empowering Girls to Empower Each Other

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By Kathryn Millhorn

lucky eagleFor almost 70 years, the YWCA of Olympia has been an agent of change in our area.  Beginning as a prayer circle for ten local women, they’ve grown into an organization that thrives on making the lives of women and girls stronger, better, and community-centered.  This passion is summed up in their vision statement, for “all women, girls and families in our communities [to] live healthy and productive lives.”

middle school girls activitiesWe all remember adolescence as a difficult time.  For girls, especially, it is a hugely defining phase of life.  Researchers at the Confidence Coalition cite that a girl is bullied at school every 7 minutes, more likely than her male friends to be cyberbullied, and so negatively influenced by media that only 2% of girls consider themselves beautiful.  With such sobering statistics, it’s easy to become overwhelmed.

That’s where the YWCA steps in.  By offering open doors, supportive friendships, and healthy opportunities to grow, they’ve influenced the lives of many women over the decades.  Whether it’s providing hygiene products like shampoo, diapers, and dish soap through the Other Bank or job training and interview outfits with the Women’s Economic Empowerment Program, there are many ways to support their mission.

Adolescent girls all too often fall through the cracks.  Too old for many childcare or summer programs, they’re not yet afforded the freedom that comes with a driver’s license or high school activity schedule.  At the YWCA, they become the stars of Girls Circle, a free after school program of relationship building, activities, friendship, and honest sharing.  There are currently seven groups meeting, with 6-10 girls per unit, and they use an evidence-based peer support model to highlight such themes as healthy relationships, stress management, communication skills, and self esteem.

middle school girls olympiaMeeting weekly with an adult facilitator to answer questions, guide discussions, or provide support, Girls Circle is open to anyone.  YWCA staffers visit many local middle schools but also make room for homeschoolers or those new to the area and just settling in.  Many of these groups begin by creating their own list of session guidelines, focusing on what’s important to the specific girls attending.  Because of the warm atmosphere and air of freedom and confidentiality, many attendees come back year after year.

Girls Circle isn’t just a program for youth in trouble; staffers see it more as a “creative outlet.”  Some past attendees are proud that “I learned to trust more people and to talk more because usually I’m really shy and I learned that I can really talk to people” and “Girls Circle helps me believe in myself, be myself, respect myself, and express myself.”

YWCA Executive Director, Hillary Soens is proud that the YWCA is the premier girl empowerment organization in Thurston County and loves that they offer the only Girls Circle program in South Puget Sound.  She acknowledges that this is possible with the ongoing support of longtime current and past donors like the Mary P. Dolciani Halloran Foundation, the Nisqually Indian Tribe, the Lucky Eagle Casino, WSECU, Olympia Federal Savings, The Community Foundation, Key Bank, many local service clubs, Intel, the Medina Foundation, several Thurston County government departments, and the US Department of Health and Human Services Office on Women’s Health, along with many others.

Helping the YWCA is easier than you might think.  Not only do they accept donations of cash, toiletries, clothing, and food, but they’re always on the lookout for local, professional women to visit as guest speakers.  By showing what is possible here at home, girls are inspired that anything is attainable.

ywca olympiaIf a spring luncheon is more your style, the fifth annual benefit luncheon ‘Spring Into Action’ will be held on April 24 at the Indian Summer Golf Club.  Thurston County Commissioner Karen Valenzuela will be the guest speaker and tickets are still available.  Even if unable to attend, contributions are gladly accepted on their website, via 360-352-0593, or through the Washington State Combined Fund Drive.

Studies featured by the US Department of Education show that “the peak period for peer influence is generally from seventh to ninth grades…Young teens generally benefit from being exposed to a broad range of experiences and programs—academic, recreational and vocational. These opportunities take advantage of their natural curiosity and can be invaluable in familiarizing them with new worlds and possibilities…More educators and policymakers are becoming aware of the high levels to which young teens can achieve.”

Organizations like the YWCA of Olympia offer all of this and more to girls right here in our community.  And, the Girls Circle program is even free.  Supporting their mission benefits us all in the long run as our neighbors, daughters, and friends become the leaders we need to shape the future.

For answers about Girls Circle or any similar programs at the YWCA, contact Girls Advancement Director Lanessa Inman at linman@ywcaofolympia.org or 360-352-0593.

 

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