In fulfillment of our empowerment mission, ANWEP offers a free workshop for teen girls on self esteem and body image. Having poor body image can have numerous negative effects, one of the most common is lowered self-esteem, which carries with it its own associated risks. Poor body image is also connected to bullying, with youth who have poor body image more likely to be perpetrators or targets of bullying behavior. The positive influence of a mentor, goal setting and a sense of community are key points that help build self-esteem and give youth valuable tools as they plan for their future. Most children particularly young girls face tremendous obstacles in their lives including poverty, low-performing schools, and often single parenting. ANWEP’s Confident Girl initiative is focused on helping a child bridge these gaps, find self-esteem and direction, and realize dreams. It is our goal to empower teens to reach their greatest potential through our self-esteem workshops and the Empower Girls in STEM mentorship program.
On Saturday August 25th 2018, ANWEP launched its first Confident Girl Self Esteem workshop in Dallas, TX. We had over 30 participants ranging in age from 9 – 17. This back to school free workshop featured three presenters that focused on good self esteem, proper etiquette and positive body image. Our “Confident Girls, Smart Choices” self-esteem program aims to create awareness, education and empowerment for preteen and teen girls, with an emphasis on girls in grades 5-8, regarding the value of intelligence, competence and education to assist the girls in making positive decisions. A young girl’s self-esteem can dramatically influence the decisions she may make throughout her lifetime. Research has shown that girls’ self-esteem peaks at only age 9, before a young girl even reaches those difficult middle and high school years. Middle school girls benefit from additional programs and education that focus on self-esteem, service, confidence, and leadership skills. Girls with low self-esteem are three times more likely than girls with high self-esteem to engage in harmful or destructive behavior that can leave a lasting imprint on their lives.
Globally, one out of seven youth are unemployed, and one out of six adolescents are not in school. It is vital that we invest in young people’s education since it is directly correlated to employment opportunities. Research from the National Mentoring Partnership confirms that “mentoring can be a critical component of successfully supporting youth career engagement and workforce development.” One strategy to support this is through positive mentoring relationships that allow young people to explore different career options, develop their skills, and stay engaged in school. Being a teenager has never been easy. Lack of confidence, low self-esteem, and fear of the future have always been part of adolescence, but this generation is facing different challenges than those before them. A recent study by psychologist Dr. Jean M. Twenge posits that smartphones and social media are causing an increase in isolation among adolescents. Rates of cyberbullying, depression and suicide have skyrocketed among this group since 2011, prompting a mental health crisis. Technology is not the only cause, but it plays a role. Young people are also spending less time with adult family members due to changing family structures, forced displacement, or migration for education and economic opportunities. Powerful evidence in psychology and neuroscience shows that human connection is tied to our ability to thrive and succeed. Meanwhile, the teenage brain is still developing, making young people especially vulnerable to destructive behaviors such as substance use. Scientists have found that the earlier substance abuse starts, the greater the risk of it leading to substance use disorder. We believe that having a mentor can be a transformative tool in the lives of young people. Our individual mentoring program is based on positive youth development (PYD) research that shows having multiple beneficial adult relationships is one of the primary factors that prevents destructive behavior.
Our Workshop Presenters
Julianne Schroeder, LPC, NCC, RYT
Julianne is a licensed professional and certified counselor who finds purpose and passion in helping others create mindful connection, compassion and confidence through talk therapy, therapeutic yoga, speaking, and workshops. Julianne is also a proud facilitator of the Embody Love Movement which empowers girls and women to celebrate their inner beauty, commit to kindness, and contribute to meaningful change in the world. For more information, please visit her website at www.julianneschroeder.com
Dr. Amiso M. George, APR, fellow PRSA
Amiso M. George (Ph.D., Ohio University; Accredited in Public Relations (APR); Fellow PRSA) is associate professor and former chair of the Strategic Communication Department in the Bob Schieffer College of Communication at Texas Christian University (TCU), Fort Worth, Texas. She is the 2017 Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) “Educator of the Year.” She is also the winner of the “2017 Bridge Award for Excellence in Strategic Communication Research.” She consults in crisis communication. Contact Amiso at a.george2@tcu.edu.
Tarsha Daniels
Tarsha Daniels is a wife, mother and grandmother. She holds a degree in Liberal Arts. Tarsha is the Co-Owner of Classy Chic Apparel and the founder of the aspiring organization Love My Sister. She is the author of the Christian literary works Embrace Your Past and Rise Confident Woman. Through her conversational style, she shares her story of overcoming sexual abuse and many life changing adversities. Passionately, she facilitates annual women’s empowerment workshops and vision board parties. Contact Tarsha at lovemysisterorganization@gmail.com
