Author Archives: Girls Inc. Admin
After they went to the play…
The girls went to Doodle Cakes to decorate (& eat!) cupcakes of their own.
The girls meet the cupcake lady: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ttrwnB1EdzE
The girls make chef hats (cause you’ve gotta have a chef hat…): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PuxRn6VCqCw
Getting the frosting flowing: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vlwlAnmYWZk
Eating the cupcakes: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xR5IFwBYjNk and eating some more… http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MlkcuKg2r9I
It’s Pink Week!
Ms. Mara reads Pinkalicious to kick off Pinkalicious Week for the GIRLStart girls.
1st: Ms. Mara reads the book.
2nd: the girls write advice letters to Pinkalicous
3rd: (tonight!!!) the girls go to see Pinkalicious on stage at The Rose
4th: Tomorrow (!!!) the girls go to Doodle Cakes for a cupcake party.
Be on the lookout for video clips from Pinkalicious Week. You know they’re coming…
Shardea Gallion – her story is our story!
Follow the link below to read about Girls Inc. of Omaha alum Shardea Gallion.
http://leoadambiga.wordpress.com/2010/08/29/strong-smart-and-bold-a-girls-inc-story/
Dollars, Sense & Me
Girls Inc. member Nautika had this to say about participating in Dollars, Sense, & Me: “I like being a leader. I listened to my group’s ideas and I wrote them on the flip chart.”
To read more about Girls Inc. financial literacy programs – follow this link: http://www.girlsincomaha.stagemydomain.com/NewsDetail.aspx?n=1c5f0e96-d8ff-4cf3-b90e-112f664fc149
$$ for grades – good incentive or inappropriate bribe? Girls weigh in.
From girls who received checks:
“A bribe???!!! Excuse me?!! No, seriously, I can see how some people might think that but to me, it just shows that someone appreciates what I am doing. If I work hard, someone notices. I plan on saving my money.” – Zhamontee
“I like getting money but I agree you shouldn’t get bribed to do something you are supposed to do anyway, like get good grades.” – Ebony
“It is easy money, like getting paid for going to school, but it’s not a bribe. It shows you that if you work hard, you will get rewarded. If you do what you are supposed to do, you might end up with some extra money in your pocket. I might buy somes shoes since you [Girls Inc.] already save some of it for me.” – D’Ashanique
From a girl who didn’t receive a check:
“Don’t put my name down because I don’t want someone to think I am stupid if I didn’t get a check. If it is a bribe, it might just work because I am thinking ‘How can I get in on that? Like maybe I could bring my grades up. I don’t know. And anyway, do you think people would go to work if they didn’t get a paycheck. I mean even if they like their job or think they are doing a good job they like to get money because who doesn’t? For real, Ms. Roberta, don’t tell me you don’t like your paycheck. You know you love that paycheck. Payday is a good day, right?” – anonymous
The Big Garden Sharing
The girls have been working in our gardens with interns Matt and Megan from The Big Garden. The event they attended was a time for the interns to share what they have been working on and to share the fruits of their labor. – Ms. Kate
I liked when I saw our picture on display. I learned we can havce a spa day and we can have fun planting vegetables. – Ebone
I learned a lot about all the other things you can plant besides flowers. The food was delicious! – Robin
The Teens Hit Coco Key
This is the first time I have been to Coco Key and I enjoyed all the waterslides and having fun with my friends. – Makayla
– We had a lot of fun telling stories and the slides gave me a rush. It was very exhausting but the hot tub was relaxing and I enjoyed it! — Zhomentee
– It was awesome! I’ve never been to Coco Key, but now that I have I want to go again. The storytelling was interesting. I had fun! – Ebony
– For my first time at Coco Key it was very interesting. – Adrianna
– I had fun eating pizza and talking with friends. — Aradia
Creighton Youth Sports Camp
Creighton Camp was a very fun and adventurous experience for the Girls Inc. members. Everyday was packed full of activities, workshops and skill building.
The girls enjoyed learning how to play new sports and getting tips from actual coaches and players. The girls played volleyball, basketball, softball, football, soccer and of course went swimming. At the end of camp ceremony Girls Inc. ladies received various awards for “Most Improved”, “Best Attitude” “Miss Congeniality” and “MVP.” I was very impressed with our ladies during Creighton camp and I was glad to see them so engaged and eager to learn!” – Ms. Desiree
MOUSE PAINT
“The girls read the book Mouse Paint, a personal favorites from my childhood, and then they painted their own artwork, mixing and blending the paint just like the mouse in the book.” Ms. Tess
“I picked a flower for my picture because flowers are beautiful.” – Destiny
Teens Visit to York Prison
On July 15, 2010 Girls Inc. teens went to York’s Women prison [Nebraska Correctional Center for Women]. We got to interview two of the inmates to see what it’s like to be in a prison. One inmate was in for 2nd degree murder and one was in for assaulting a security guard. They would wake up, and then eat breakfast, some would go to work and some would go to school. They would usually room with 2-4 people. You would only have a bunk bed and a toilet. If women had a baby, the baby could stay in the nursery or they could live with a relative. They could also go to a store at the prison call the canteen. They could buy different things like snacks, clothes, etc. During their free time they could go to the yard or check out games. They could also go to the gym to lift weights. Overall you really didn’t have any freedom. York’s women prison is not where you want to go. – Kanesha
The trip to the Nebraska Correctional Center for Women in York was very interesting. At first I was a little nervous visiting a prison solely because of the stereotypes that I’ve heard about them. I guess I kind of expected violent women in jumpsuits fighting and resisting their guards’ orders. I was visioning murderers, rapists, and drug dealers walking around but although that was true, in reality they seemed like normal people. Although we didn’t get to tour the prison, we did get to speak with two prisoners. They told us about themselves like why they where here, how their lives were before, and what they planned on doing when they got out. One lady was about 32 and serving a 25-50 year sentence for 2nd degree murder. The other was only 19 and serving a 3-5 year sentence for assault. They answered our questions about life in prison and how the average day goes. The most unexpected thing I learned was that they can have their babies live with them in prison if they are pregnant. Also, that they kids up to age 11 can visit overnight with them. Their stories were eye-opening as to how choices you make can impact your life forever. The biggest thing that I learned is that I’m never going back! – Denai
