Our first speaker was Michelle of Centerburg Local Schools. Michelle facilitates elementary aged groups of 5th grade girls. Each year she will have a group group of about 12 girls. The groups will include girls of various backgrounds, personalities, and needs. She explained that throughout her time as a facilitator, she has tailored the program material to meet the needs of Centerburg local schools and the specific age group she works with.
Michelle also gave our group a glimpse of what girls going through RoX experience by offering an overview of a few notable session: empathy, conflict and communication, and body image and beauty. These sessions include role play, group activities, and hands on projects.
The
Knox County Career Center
’s Beth spoke next. She shared her experience working with High School girls and demonstrated the need for RoX. She expressed that in her role as a school counselor, she sees girls who may need help to advocate for themselves, to learn to set boundaries, and to access to a safe place where we can come to have conversations without fear of judgement. Beth explained that the RoX provided tools and guidance that she can now rely on as a resource to offer. KCCC hosts two unique RoX opportunities. The girls group is made up of cosmetology students and gives these young women the skills to communicate with women and connect with their clients in that chosen career path. The other group is made up of girls pursuing career pathways in which women are a minority. This group is provided tools to build confidence to excel in these traditionally male-lead fields.
New Directions Executive Director Lori was our final speaker. Lori has had a unique opportunity to do intentional work through relationship with ROX HQ. She shared her experience Coaching other facilitators and explained that she has piloted unique groups that other communities do not get to host or support. One of these groups is in partnership with The Village Network for residential and foster children and the second was in a team setting with a local Volleyball team.
Lori shared some insight into what it feels like to facilitate a group including themes of relationships and control, confidentiality (honoring privacy of the group), and self defense.
Investing in RoX represents an investment in each and every girl who participates in RoX. We look forward to sharing more information about the RoX program and other Women United supported programs online and at upcoming Women United events.
See more photos from the event on Facebook
