IN THEIR OWN WORDS
Discovering New Opportunities in Summertime Scrubs
by Jocie Mueller, Health Careers Program Coordinator,
Champlain Valley Area Health Eduction Center
Summertime on the University of Vermont campus is a wash of young people enjoying their activity groups in the sunshine. One group however, stands apart as unique. It may be their confidence, or their sense of hope. It could be their unified dedication to helping others. No matter what it is, you will surely spot them in their dark blue scrubs.... (read full story) pdf
Reflections from Girls Rock the Capitol
Memories from the Statehouse Steps
At the United Nations conference, I had the opportunity to learn from effective leaders. Leymah Gbowee, the woman that began the efforts that ended the war in Liberia through a successful revolution, was the greatest inspiration. Her message to the girls of the world was clear: fight for what you believe in.... (read full story) pdf
Discovering the Leader Within
by Katie Colasacco, Crew Member, Vermont Youth Conservation Corps
Female Leadership Development Crew
We didn't have a thermometer, but we didn't need one to know it was the hottest day in weeks. The sun began to beat down as we trekked up Bald Mountain in Aitkin State Forest, a state park outside of Rutland. My legs ached from weeks of working on hiking trails and my feet felt heavy as I focused on putting one foot in front of the other. When we took a water break, I noticed my friend Ana glance at her watch. "We made it up yesterday in 40 minutes," she said through gulps of water.... (read full story) pdf
Reflections from Girls On The Run
Thoughts and Short Stories from Coaches and Participants
“Everyone was so worried that “Annie” wouldn't make it through the ten weeks of the program because she’s challenged with learning. I knew it would be different doing something cool after school, so I re-ally encouraged people to support her.... (read full story) pdf
Girls Rock the Capitol
by Carmel Quinn, Director of Advocacy,
Girls Scouts of the Green & White Mountains
Girls Rock the Capitol is a unique Legislative Internship program that immerses teenage girls in the democratic process, promotes team building and women's leadership, and provides a forum to discuss ideas and issues that are important to Vermonters. The program incorporates training and experiential learning as the girls work alongside women in leadership roles in Vermont government.... (read full story) pdf
Changing Lives Through Shared Stories
by Jan Steinbauer, Director of Literacy Programs,
Vermont Humanities Council
We learn through both our head and our heart. We learn through experiences - our own and, if a vicarious experience is true and powerfuld enough, through another person's experience shared via the written or spoken word. We learn, and our behavior changes... (read full story) pdf
Mentoring On Mountain Bikes
by Lauren Ober, Mentor, Little Bellas
I am a child magnet. For some reason that I cannot quite figure out, kids stick to me with the strength of Krazy Glue. So when I was asked to be a mentor in the Little Bellas girls’ mountain biking program, I didn’t balk. I knew that if nothing else, I’d have a good time romping around with a bunch of fun girls. But the experience of Little Bellas has proved to be so much more.... (read full story) pdf
Women In Recovery-Hear Us ROAR!
by Sue Mason, Program Director,
Turning Point Recovery Center of Bennington
On any given Monday at 5 pm at the Turning Point Recovery Center in Bennington, the ROAR of at least 16 women can be heard throughout the building—sometimes laughing, sometimes crying but always together in fellowship with their common goal: Recovery. Little did we know when we developed the ROAR (Resources, Opportunity, and Recovery) project that we would exceed our goal. The initial proposal was to provide a weekly support group for women to address and discuss the unique challenges and barriers to recovery from substance abuse... (read full story) pdf
Changing A Child's Life
by Andrea Torello, Director, Mobius-The Mentoring Movement
Since receiving the grant from The Vermont Women’s Fund this spring, I have made two presentations on mentoring daughters of incarcerated women. Both groups were comprised of professional women, about 50 in all. Though I am experienced and felt well-prepared to motivate and engage potential volunteers, I was, in fact, not prepared for the questions these compassionate and intelligent women put forth... (read full story) pdf
Finding Home
by Nora Lovelette, Transitional Living Program Coordinator,
Washington County Youth Service Bureau
Pregnancy and motherhood often result in a combination of excitement, awe, love and ANXIETY. Young women in Washington County Youth Service Bureau’s (YSB) Transitional Living Program (TLP) have all these feelings. However, they must also struggle to meet basic needs such as a home, food, and adequate support from loved ones... (read full story) pdf