Spotlight on Girls in Progress

This month, Mental Health America of Licking County (MHALC) is excited to present the newest addition to its list of programs, Girls in Progress (GIP).  GIP is a mentoring and intervention program targeting middle school girls in the Newark City School District. The program began through the collaborated efforts of MHALC’s Executive Director, Penny Sitler, and Academic Opportunities for Success (AOS) Linkage Coordinator for Newark City middle schools Dava Kaltnecker.  These visionaries believe early intervention is the key to reaching these vulnerable young girls. The more positive adult support these students receive, the more likely they are to have better school attendance and graduate on time, develop healthier relationships, and place more value on themselves to help them as they enter into adulthood. 

Originally, the program met five times each week during the 2013-14 school year.  Unfortunately, and largely because of lack of funding, MHALC simply did not have the staff to sustain this ambitious goal.  Through the dedication and hard work from Program Coordinator Shari Johnston, Dava, Penny, and several other staff members from MHALC, the agency was able to meet three times each week in one middle school for the fall semester of the 2014-15 school year.  In the winter semester of the 2014-15 school year, the program expanded to reach another middle school, and the program has received financial support from a Denison University-sponsored Pay it Forward Grant and the Licking County Foundation. 

All those involved in making this program happen know the importance of mentoring at-risk young people.  Many studies on mentoring and early intervention show the lasting impressions programs like this have on troubled students.  According to the online publication, www.mentoring.org, “It is crucial that intervention efforts aimed at students with a disproportionate number of risk indicators for dropping out of high school reach students young enough”.  A study from Big Brother Big Sisters says, “Youth who meet regularly with their mentors are 46% less likely than their peers to start using illegal drugs and 27% less likely to start drinking” (A Public/Private Ventures study of Big Brothers Big Sisters).  Another study from the summer 2010 issue of STRATE Journal says, “Researchers in this area… found that students achieved better grades, established obtainable goals, and enhanced their self-esteem when partnered with caring, supportive adults (as cited in Clasen & Clasen, 1997; Flaxman, 1998-2001; Smink, 2000). 

Shari sees these facts play out every time she meets with these young ladies.  Shari’s childhood was reminiscent of those she works with today, and her desire is to help these young girls reach for more.  Shari works to help them mine out meaning in their lives by broadening their horizons and allowing them to experience things beyond their individual worlds.  Through many activities, Shari strives to help them find their own resiliency and instill value and self-esteem.  One way Shari has found to open conversation is through art journaling.  Through this artistic medium, the girls are encouraged to explore and create.  By encouraging this self-expression, dialogue begins to flow more freely about the issues they face each day.  Many of these young people come from homes facing drug addiction, poverty, the early death of a parent, or one or both parents in prison. Shari is careful to stress that the members respect each other and asks them not to gossip about the things discussed as a way to teach them about building relationships.  Shari treats each member as a valued individual from the first time they meet.   

   

While Shari likes watching the girls come alive through creativity, Dava says the exposure trips are the portion of the program she enjoys most.  Dava loves to watch the girls interact during these outings. The exposure trips are planned very intentionally, and have included a visit to the Columbus Museum of Arts that highlighted women in the arts and the life of local artist Aminah Robinson.  The group also traveled to the Licking County Municipal Courts where they spent time with Marcia J. Phelps, Licking County Municipal Court Clerk.  This month the group will meet with some of the members of the Women in Non-Profit Leadership group.  Other staff members from MHALC bring strong leadership and creative activities as well.  These activities provide opportunities for discussion about wellness, including education about mental illness, or they can teach these young people something new like needle arts and baking cookies.  

The GIP program proves the studies to be on the mark.  Dava says she has witnessed an increase in these students’ attendance, behavior, communication, and academics.  She says when she visits the past members (now in high school) they ask about the program and express their desire to continue.  Dava also says that teachers have noticed an improvement in these young girls’ behavior, and they notice the past members have created a unique bond. With the new funding and the continued efforts of Dava, Shari, teachers and the staff of MHALC, this program can continue to flourish along with these very important girls in progress. 

 

Jill Goddard

Development/Program Manager

Mental Health America of Licking County

Shari Johnston

Compeer Coordinator

Girls in Progress Coordinator

Mental Health America of Licking County