Tag Archives: girls inc. of omaha
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
Who Am I?
Who am I?
A Girls Club Alumni.
I remember when Girls Club was located on Lake St. At that time girls needed to be 8 years old to attend. The first day my mom tried to enroll me, I was 7 years old and was told to come back in a year. To a seven year old, that was forever and I cried for days. But I did return!
Who am I?
The mother of a Girls Inc. Alumni.
My daughter, Antiana Valentine, attended girls Inc. through high school. This was one of the best adventures I could have offered her. She is now a senior in college at Stephens College in Columbia, Mo. Antiana also received a scholarship from Girls Inc. While at Girls Inc., she was paired with a mentor who sent her care packages to school, spent quality positive time with her, and is now a lifelong friend my daughter respects and views as a role model.
During the time she attended Girls Inc., our family experienced challenges like any other family. Girls Inc. was there to provide her with dreams and creativity to pursue. She received a new sewing machine that helped her explore sewing. She traveled to Washington, D.C. and while there met Barack Obama when he was still a Senator and ‘godmother of civil rights’ Dorthy Height, who is now deceased, but was a Delta. This experience really had an impact and influenced her life because Barack Obama is now President and Antiana has now pledged Delta. And the list goes on…………………………
Who am I?
A mother of a Girls Inc member.
My daughter Nautika Valentine, who is 12 years old, also attends Girls Inc. She loves all the different feild trips and activites.
Who am I?
An employee at Girls Inc.
I was affected by the current recession and lost my job. After months of searching for employment, who was there once again? My Girls Inc. family. My short employment experience with Girls Inc. has been such a blessing for me and my family. I almost feel that my working here in some way is giving back some of love Girls Inc has given my girls. Girls Inc has given Antiana love inspiration, hope and dreams and she has now passed them on to Nautika.
Who am I?
A Girls Club Alumni, Mother of a Girls Inc Alumni, A Mother of Girls Inc. Member, and now a Girls Inc. employee. Thank You Girls Inc.!
by Antonia “Ms. Nia” Valentine
Sign Language Class
The girls sign “I love Girls Inc.” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rw-B2DCtLSA
Holding a real alligator? Awesome!
Girls attended a Wildlife Encounter program at the South Omaha Library where they were able to see and touch all manner of creatures. Chloe actually held an alligator.
“When I held the alligator, it was scary at first because a guy asked me to close my eyes and hold out my hands. Then he brought it out and everybody screamed so I got nervous. Then he put it in my hands and told me to open my eyes and it was an alligator. I felt better after I saw his mouth taped shut and he didn’t move. It was awesome!” – Chloe
You can watch Chloe hold a for-real-live-not-stuffed-even-if-his-mouth-was-taped-shut alligator if you click here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6elnq7gceK8 The video has a little of that Blair Witch Project-y thing going on but it is so worth watching! When Chloe shuts her eyes and then the other girls see that it is an alligator she will be holding and start screaming – it’s a moment! Chloe puts the bold in “strong, smart, and bold!”
Firefighters & Police Appreciation Day
It was very fun and I liked it a lot. It was cool to have my picture taken with Chief Hayes because I want to be a police officer when I grow up…maybe even Chief. – JaLeah
Volunteer Clay Artist
Jenna Gentzler, a student of ceramics at Kansas State University, taught a workshop for ten 9 to 12-year-old girls today.
“The girls did a great job. They were good listeners and paid attention to instructions. They were so eager to see my demonstration at first they they crowded too close. I had to have them move away a bit to give myself some room to work. They were especially excited to learn how to add the details to their pots once we got to that point in the project. They were good at cricitcal thinking. They had to figure out what to do if there was a problem; how to fix a weak spot or what to do if something went wrong with their design. They had to problem solve. If they rolled the clay out and it stuck to the table they had to scrape it all off and try again using Saran Wrap on the table before rolling.
The girls were very curious and had lots of questions: Is this coil big enough? Can I make a something that my dad can actually drink juice out of? What kind of paint will we use? Do I need to slip and score every piece or just the big ones? How soon can we fire these? Can I add a lid to mine? Lots of questions!
The girls learned new vocabulary – slip, score, and wedge. They learned the names of the tools we used: wooden knife and needle tools. We also used rolling pins but I am pretty sure they already knew the name for those. They learned how to make a coil from clay and how to build a pot using coils. They learned how to attach small pieces to a larger piece.
My ultimate goal is to study to become an art therapist. I really like teaching what I know and using it to develop a relationship. When you are making something -w hen you are in the act of creating something and you are engaged with that task – it is easier to have free conversation. I found that to be true with the girls today. It was very easy to talk to them and to get to know them as we worked on their pots.
I would recommend volunteering at Girls Inc. The girls were all very sweet. They need good influences and they need love. I had a great time and would love to come back.” – Jenna
Jenna leaves soon for study abroad in Namibia. Among her other experiences, she will also be teaching art to girls ages 12 through 18 while she is there. She will bring some supplies with her but will also stay flexible to see what develops, what the girls’ interests are and what is available for her to use locally. If you would like to follow her experiences (although she is not sure how often she will have computer access!), she will be blogging about her experiences at jennagentz.blogspot.com.
Thanks Jenna, for sharing your talent with Girls Inc. of Omaha. We’ll post some photos for you after the pots are glazed and fired!
Why nap? Ms. Tess will tell you why.
Most of my kindergarten and 1st grade girls are at Girls Inc. from 7 or 7:30 a.m. until 6 p.m. That is a long day for a little girls. That’s why we have naptime. Usually all of them fall asleep for about 90 minutes. Many of them even ask, “When are we going to lie down?” They know they’re tired. They wake up right around snack time, refreshed and ready for Part 2 of the day. (And, I’d like to add that our teen helper doesn’t hate naptime either!) – Ms. Tess
Community Anti-Violence Meeting
After attending a luncheon hosted by The Optimist Club of Omaha, Ciera Hollingsworth and Makayla Bell decided to tag along to the weekly Anti-Violence meeting hosted by the North Omaha Empowerment Network and Omaha 360.
“I loved seeing a lot of important people from all walks of life coming together to support Omaha. It was very interesting and empowering. I also enjoyed attending a ‘grown up’ meeting. This is the real world.” – Ciera
“First, I want to say that all day long I’ve done things that I wouldn’t have had the opportunity to do without Girls Inc. I liked the luncheon with The Optimist Club and I also really enjoyed the anti-violence meeting. It was great to see the room full of people – not just one race, one gender, or one group, but pastors, senators, councilmen, police officers, and concerned citizens all working together for the common good. They were all interested in helping North Omaha. Well, all of Omaha actually. It was inspiring.” – Makayla
Nap Time
“I get tired.” Mariamo, age 5
“I like our new mats. They’re pretty.” – Jessica, age 5
“When you wake up, you wash the mat and put it away.” – Jamila, age 5
Thank you, Optimist Club!
Today, Girls Inc. of Omaha received a check for $1,000 from the Optimist Club of Omaha. Teen members Ciera Hollingsworth and Makayla Bell accompanied Executive Director, Roberta Wilhelm, to the luncheon presentation to accept the check on behalf of Girls Inc. and to speak about their experiences growing up at Girls Inc. Makayla has been a Girls Inc. member since she was seven and Ciera has been a member since the age of six.
“It was encouraging to learn about organizations like the Optimists that are working to make the community better than it is. They were all very nice and caring. My favorite part of The Optimists Creed is ‘To think only of the best, to work only for the best and to expect only the best.'” – Makayla
“I am used to people like the ones at Girls Inc. – mostly women – working to do good things in the community. I am not used to seeing so many men (and, is it ok for me to say “Caucasian men?”) working to make the community better. It was good for me to see this. I liked learning about service organizations and how they help agencies like Girls Inc. I definitely plan to give back to the community like this when I am a professional. Oh, yeah…and the food was good. I had two plates!” – Ciera
A poem written for our visit by Optimist Club member Alden Awerkamp:
Girls Are Special
Welcome to our meeting Roberta this day
You care for kids in a very special way
Boys and girls have different needs
Too often our girl is the one who leads
Growing up before they can be a child
Often the landscape a little too wild
Girls Inc. provides a place of good things
Shelters our girls from difficult stings
We love to support for all that you stand
Help our girls get the best from this land
Help them claim the things that are theirs
All at Girls Inc. in all of our prayers.
YOUR OPTIMIST FRIENDS
