Girls LEAD! and The Links launch mentoring partnership

When the women of The Dayton Chapter of The Links, Inc., envisioned a partnership with YWCA Dayton’s Girls LEAD! program, they had one requirement: it’s not just about the girls. Their parents should be included, too.As President Carolyn Mack explains, the current focus of the group – a volunteer organization that strives to positively impact life in our global community through friendship and service – emphasizes wellness and healthy choices, which is a community effort.“Girls LEAD! is excited to have The Links partner with us to provide leadership and mentoring to our fifth and sixth grade girls at Charity Adams Earley Academy,” said Dr. Rochelle Garner, director of Girls LEAD! “These are professional and influential women in the Dayton community who come from diverse career backgrounds. The increased level of support enhances our day-to-day program and helps our girls, along with their parents, receive extra enrichment in leadership, mentoring, and life skills.”At this month’s opening session, families learned about financial literacy; in March, they’ll travel to the new Child Health Pavilion at Dayton Children’s Hospital for a class on preparing healthy – and delicious – international cuisine. As one parent has already noted: “I love the program, I love what you are doing, and I love this partnership with The Links.”“Our mission in implementing this program is to work together as a collective sisterhood to deliver activities that build character, prevent bullying, support conflict resolution, and build wellness in our community by providing exposure to healthy living, smart nutrition, the arts, and financial planning. And the Girls LEAD! pillars align with our goals,” Mack said.While the program is new this year, The Links are already thinking about the future.“Our goal is to continue working with the same group of girls beyond their elementary school years: through middle and high school, and eventual admission into college. Our chapter aspires to stay with these girls and their families over these formative years and beyond,” Mack explained. “We look forward to our long-term relationship and seeing these ladies grow in their belief in their abilities and the ability to overcome difficult life challenges.”Learn more about our Girls LEAD! program – including summer camp opportunities – HERE.