Read. Think. Act.

Catherine Read

  • Home
  • About
  • Creative Read
  • Blog
  • TV Shows
  • Books
  • About Me
  • Contact
  • Making Change Radio
  • Archives

by Rachel Simon

She Rocks the World on Your Need to Know

August 21, 2019)   Catherine Read interviews several student ambassadors from the nonprofit organization She Rocks the World. This all-female, student-led organization aims to empower teenage girls to fearlessly use their own voice in order to live their biggest lives.

In the first segment Catherine speaks with Devina Bawa and Ashwathi Mathai.  They provide a clear understanding of what the organization is all about, and why it has been instrumental in their personal growth. She Rocks the World is open to girls in grades 7-12 who are interested in exploring who they are, as well as those who are looking for ways to speak up for what they believe in.

Every month the girls schedule a meeting at a different company in the region, and use the opportunity to learn new things as well as network with female professionals. It is eye opening for the girls to meet successful professional women, and hear the stories of their life journeys.  It helps the young women understand that there are many paths, and many options, as they embark on their life.

Often times, these women have had a windy road to get them where they are.  The girls enjoy hearing about how the women found their way to their current place, and about how they have found joy and fulfillment in their careers.  This is especially true even if it may not have been a job that they considered when they were young.

Both Devina and Ashwathi truly value these networking opportunities. They have discovered at a young age that networking is an important tool for success in the world. They also note that they have met some amazing people that they continue to stay in touch with.  Many of these women are willing to be available when the girls have questions about careers, professions, college, etc.

Additionally, each meeting includes something informative to help the girls live their best lives. Whether it is a session on mindfulness, stress relief or public speaking, the goal is for participants to take something home with them that will help them grow and prosper. The organization also has a leadership council that pairs older high school girls with younger middle school girls. This is very useful because it allows the younger girls to better understand the organization’s culture, and gives them the tools that they need to succeed.

Filed Under: Mentoring, TV Shows, Women, Your Need to Know Tagged With: Ashwathi Mathai, Mentoring, networking for young women, She Rocks the World

by Rachel Simon

She Believes in Me with Renee Gorman

(July 3, 2019) Catherine Read sits down with She Believes in Me founder Renee Gorman to talk about her work in supporting young, vulnerable girls in her community. Lori Barnes, a volunteer who has been with the program since inception, also joins the show to talk about the importance of being a mentor, and giving these girls positive experiences and valuable skills.

Gorman is a school counselor in a community with many vulnerable children. Over the years, she became increasingly frustrated because she did not have the bandwidth during school hours to help support the young girls who were coming into her office with profound challenges.  She wanted to do more, but needed to find a different approach to helping them work through their obstacles. She believed in these girls, and wanted to show them that they had a fan rooting for them.

The first step involved planning some positive programming to bring the girls together. Gorman put together a group of volunteers by reaching out to her professional and community connections.  Her goal was show these young girls that there were people in their corner who wanted to help them. These workshops take place at her elementary school on Saturday mornings, and are always framed with a theme so that the girls have a valuable skill to bring home with them.

She Believes in MeA few examples of topics include building self-esteem, developing healthy coping skills, recognizing inner beauty, and the importance of friendships. The workshops are free of charge, and Gorman simply advertises by word of mouth. They have become so popular that they attract approximately 160 girls a month, and are staffed with over 30 volunteers. These girls are looking for positive role models, and are thirsty for programs that speak to them.

Most importantly, the environment is warm and welcoming, and girls are made to feel special and important. Having enough volunteers to staff the program means that the girls who really need help, have an opportunity to share their struggles and reach out for support The girls come from diverse backgrounds and varied socioeconomic environments, and many have experienced trauma. Gorman’s goal is to ensure that they have an outlet to find support when they need it.

The She Believes in Me model has been so successful that Gorman would love to grow the program to additional schools. If you are interested in setting up a similar program in your neighborhood, you can reach out to them to find out about how to get started at [email protected]

Filed Under: Blogging, Children, Mentoring, TV Shows, Your Need to Know Tagged With: empower girls, Fairfax County, Lori Barnes, Mentoring, Renee Gorman, She Believes in Me, trauma informed programs

Catherine S. Read
I believe in the power of community and the ability of one person to make a difference.

Read more…

Get the Latest

I will not spam you. Read my privacy policy.

Recent Posts

The Nazi’s Granddaughter – Silvia Foti

A Question of Freedom – Wm G Thomas III

Violins of Hope – Richmond Exhibit 2021

The Three Mothers – Anna Malaika Tubbs

Railroaded – Dale Brumfield

His Other Life – Melanie McCabe

The Art of Gathering – Priya Parker

Faithful Servant Awards on Your Need to Know

Search

Archives

Archives

  • Facebook
  • Flickr
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Read. Think. Act.

Copyright © 2022 Catherine S. Read · All Rights Reserved · Privacy Policy