2. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DdiiqEmq BmM&feature=player_detailpage http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DdiiqEmq BmM&feature=player_detailpage

3. Cool Girls is dedicated to the self- empowerment of girls. We inspire girls to change their world. Cool Girls’ community partners, mentors, and volunteer networks support girls in all aspects of their development – breaking the cycles of poverty, low self-esteem, and teen pregnancy. Our life skill programs develop girls into confident women through education and exposure to a broader world of opportunity.

4. My Concern In today’s society, young girls are faced with pressure from their peers and the media to get involved with sex and drugs. Young African American girls are more likely to become pregnant, make lower grades in school, and get involved with inappropriate activity. Some of these girls have a lower self esteem and are easily influenced by their environment. This is a big concern of mine. I wish to make a positive change in young girls’ lives.

5. Why I got involved with Cool Girls I got involved with Cool Girls because they work primarily with young minorities in metro Atlanta. They mentor to develop self confidence and instill morals and values in them. My passion is to increase the self worth of the girls and young women so that they know that they are beautiful, smart, and can become successful in anything that they put their mind to.

6. Cool Girls Club A weekly after school program that provides academic support and life skills development for girls in 2nd to 8th grades. Our “Phenomenal Girl” curriculum focuses on life skills development. Through the collaborative efforts of volunteers, staff and school personnel, girls are educated collectively about sexual health, hygiene, healthy relationships and bullying, conflict resolution, self-esteem and cultural awareness. “Cool girls make me feel artistic and happy every day.” – Kayla | Cool Girl participant

7. Programs that Cool Girls Inc. Offer -Cool Girls Club: after school: life skills development -Cool Scholars: after school: academic achievement -Cool Sisters: one on one mentoring program -Cool Tech: technology education program -Cool Fitness: fitness and nutrition program -Cool Field Trips: outings focused on art, culture, athletics -A Beautiful Me: workshop focused on health & wellness, raises awareness about prevention of pregnancy, abuse, and exploitation. -Other events

9. My Experience I have sincerely enjoyed my time thus far with Cool Girls. It has been both a learning and teaching experience. The after school programs, the field trips, and the different programs that they host have allotted me the opportunity to speak with various girls to try to make a change in their lives mentally and emotionally.

10. My Experience Continued… Weekly, I meet with a group of girls at the after school program at Martin Luther King Middle School. We have ice breakers, talks, and activities that help to support and develop them physically and mentally. I have conducted one on one interviews with the girls about their situation, how they feel about themselves, media and peer influences, and how they feel about their future.

11. How Has Cool Girls Made a Change Studies have shown that girls in this program receive higher grades and test scores, and report higher expectations for their future Girls reveal higher self esteem Some girls go on to mentor other females

12. Cool Girls Self Empowerment Seminar

13. Reflection I will continue to volunteer at Cool Girls Inc. to become a positive role model for the younger generation. It helped me to become a stronger and less judgmental individual. I have worked on strengthening my ties with the community to lend a helping hand when I can.