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By Dan Nonte, University Relations
Contact: (336) 334-4314
Posted 8-24-09
GREENSBORO, N.C. — Eight teenage girls in foster care took part this summer in the Girl’s Leadership Development Program offered by UNCG’s Center for Youth, Family and Community Partnerships (CYFCP) July 11-Aug. 15.
The program nurtures the leadership qualities and resiliencies of girls in the foster care system by encouraging them to become leaders. The program was funded by a grant from The Women’s Professional Forum.
Participants included Nadia Sabalsa, Ericka Holt, Tiesha Ingram, Tatyana Bethel, Paradise Stevenson, Naomi Cagle, Aliyah Adams and Precious Thornhill.
This is the second year of the Girl’s Leadership program, and this year a graduate of last year’s leadership training, Southeast High School senior Princess Black, co-led the group with adult leader Nedra Cox. As a peer leader, Black brought a unique perspective to the group and served as an inspiration and role model for those interested in bettering their lives.
The series covered six topics during its Saturday meetings: Telling Your Story as a Road to Leadership; Dealing with Drama (Conflict Resolution); Building Self-Confidence, Self-Esteem and Body Image; How to Successfully Advocate for Yourself and Others; Cultural Diversity & Leadership; and Job Skills and How to Create Your Own Networks of Support.
A number of individuals and organizations worked together to deliver the program, including Jean Workman from the Guilford County Public Health Department, Catina Galloway from Alcohol & Drug Services (ADS), Mary Connor Hill and Teens Taking Action from Planned Parenthood, Dee Todd from N.C. A&T State University, Win Win Resolutions, Julia Charles and the Greensboro Cultural Arts Center.
A graduation ceremony was held on Aug. 18 in the Tannenbaum-Sternberger room of the Greensboro Central Library in downtown Greensboro. The eight girls plan to meet throughout the year to participate in community service projects in Guilford County.
For more information about this program, or to find out how you can get involved, please contact Kelly Graves, PhD, at (336) 217-9713 or kngrave3@uncg.edu.