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| Young Women in Action is Action Packed |
Editor: Keljo, Carol
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The Young Women in Action program was launched in partnership with Hathaway Elementary School in Washougal.
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Here is an overview of the program from Linda Haines: The Camas Washougal Rotary has brought the Young Women in Action (YWIA) to the Camas/ Washougal area for the first time. It started at Hathaway Elementary March 14. The strong, yet subtle lesson for fifth grade girls participating in the Camas Washougal Rotary Young Women in Action (YWIA) mentoring program is that when we are comfortable with ourselves we become more accepting of others.
The curriculum for the eigh- week program which runs from March 14 through May 9 focuses on development of life skills such as friendship, health and hygiene, career, manners and etiquette, “envision your life” exercises and lots of fun. Tish Lilly, Assistant Principal at Roosevelt Elementary (who has had this program for a few years), says that “Young WomeniIn Action provides girls an opportunity to interact with girls who are not in their circle of friends. It’s great preparation for middle school when they may find themselves in a class and not know anyone.”
According to Laura Bolt, Principal at Hathaway Elementary, “For most girls, by age ten or eleven everything she is depends on what other people tell her. Young Women in Action provides girls with the social and relationship skills they need to develop self confidence.” For example, the curriculum for week two is “Relationships and Trust” where mentors help girls talk about the importance of friendships and qualities they look for in a friend. To help them share with one another, girls make friendship bracelets and “friend wanted” posters.
The program began at Washington Elementary in 1993 when a local woman’s leadership organization, Women in Action, created a foundation to provide young women from disadvantaged backgrounds a window to a wider world. Young Women in Action has been a rite of passage for fifth-grade girls at Washington ever since. Linda Haines, who has been actively involved since the program started and also is a member of the Camas-Washougal Rotary, describes Young Women in Action as “a labor of love.” The program allows girls to know that if they have a plan and work hard, they can be and achieve anything they want.” In 2009, Young Women in Action moved to the Vancouver School District Foundation.
The Camas Washougal Rotary decided last year that there is a strong need for this program in the Camas/Washougal area and worked hard to get the program started at Hathaway elementary for the first time this spring. This program is paid for by the Camas Washougal Rotary and the help of local business in either donations or special pricing. Washougal Florist is donating Roses for our final celebration, K’Syrah is providing a very special price for the girls’ lunch at their restaurant and Manning Academy of Cosmetology students will be doing the girls’ hair at no charge on Hygiene Day. There is no charge to any girl who takes part in the program.
Passionate, dedicated volunteers are at the core of the program’s success. We are always looking for good people. This year we have 10 mentors who are either Rotarians or spouses of Rotarians. This program has been recognized by several National Organizations. While several have been honored for their involvement in this program, the real winners will be the girls who inspire others as they learn personal and social relationship skills.
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