Rosie’s Girls® A Program of Northern New England Tradeswomen, Inc. Plan to bring Rosie’s Girls ® to Greater Cincinnati

What is NAWIC? National Association of Women in Construction Core Purpose – Enhance the success of women in the construction industry National organization started in 1955 – www.nawic.org Cincinnati chapter started in 1962 – www.nawiccincinnati.org Focus areas are networking, education, personal development and youth programs Employers are Turner, Messer, Al Neyer, Neyer Construction, Baker Concrete, Megen, UC, Thompson-Hine, etc.

What is Rosie’s Girls®? Three-week summer day camp for 6th-8th grade girls aged 11-13 years Challenges girls to push past their own limits. Combines hands-on instruction in skilled trades with expressive arts activities. Allows girls to develop own strength, power and confidence in a fun, encouraging and positive environment

What is Rosie’s Girls®? Started in Vermont in 2000 Replicated in California, South Carolina and Ohio (Cleveland) Nearly 800 girls have participated to date

Rosie’s Girls® Curriculum Carpentry: Basic skills are learned and applied to build a toolbox or CD rack to take home and a group project that is donated to the community Other Trades: Welding Mechanics Telecommunications and Computers Electrical wiring Interior painting

Rosie’s Girls® Curriculum Arts: designed to promote self-expression through a variety of media, including poetry, comedy, yoga, mask-making and collage making Physically challenging activities: designed to push beyond preconceived notions on ability and to build group cohesion, trust and interdependence e.g., Rock climbing Ropes course Self defense

Rosie’s Girls® Curriculum A Girls’ World: helps girls understand and respond to messages about how they should act, look and what they can become. Media Collage – how women are portrayed Woman of the Day – girls prepare presentation on successful woman of interest to her Mentor Presentations: Women in non-traditional careers speak about their careers and the challenges and opportunities they have faced Parental Involvement – follow-up activities with mothers are sometimes held

Why is Rosie’s Girls® Needed? Build confidence and self-esteem in young girls to enable them to challenge traditional societal expectations Invest in future construction workforce to meet demand for skilled labor Provide role models for girls in non-traditional fields to widen their career opportunity horizons

Rosie’s Girls ® Results Significant increase in General and Personal Body Image and Social Acceptance scores after camp Increase in Self Worth scores after camp 96% of respondents reported that they “liked Rosie’s Girls a lot” Most common verbatim comment on “most important thing learned” – “girls can do anything they want to do” Parents report noticeable changes in confidence, happiness, and empowerment in daughters Parents report increased and strengthened communication with daughters

Rosie’s Girls® Logistics Maximum of 24 girls Tuition = $725/girl (min $100 with scholarship) Day camp only, not residential Located at donated space, e.g., vocational school 3 weeks long – 3rd week is critical for full comprehension of team dynamics and growth in self confidence

Rosie’s Girls® Camp Staffing Camp run by site coordinator – paid position Head Counselors for each major program segment, i.e., trades, arts, physical, etc. 3 General Counselors Instructors for each segment

Rosie’s Girls® Licensing Program and curriculum owned and trademarked by NNETW Licenses available for curriculum, administrative materials and training Training includes: Program philosophy How to find and train counselors and instructors Recruiting Marketing Fundraising Action/implementation plan Ongoing technical assistance

Rosie’s Girls® Licensing License includes: -Curriculum – materials for all components -Administrator’s toolbox – everything they need to know -Evaluation results – from your site and others -Curriculum revisions and updates

Rosie’s Girls® Ongoing Costs $60,000 Program Costs – licensing, paid positions, training supplies, administrative materials, marketing, etc. Seeking endowment to fund future years

Program Budget Expenses: Licensing Fundraising Program Costs Income: Tuition Scholarship donations Fundraisers Grants In-kind donations Endowment

Plan/Approach A partnership between Cincinnati YWCA and Cincinnati NAWIC has been established and the steering committee has been formed. Startup funds have been secured to obtain the license and start fundraising which has begun. Recruitment of additional partners has begun. Cincinnati Public Schools have been recruited for a potential site and resources for instruction and campers. We are finalizing plans to partner with them. We have contacted trade organizations and construction employers who have indicated support for this endeavor. We are recruiting additional partners and organizations to help bring the plan to reality. Recruitment of camp staff will begin late this summer.

Next Steps We are looking for your support to help us make Rosie’s Girls Cincinnati 2008 a success!