SL Proposal for YWLP

Service Learning Proposal For Young Women Leaders Program
By: Joannivette Malave-Matias
February 12 2012
Meredith Tweed
WST 3371

Community Partner: Young Women Leadership Program
Address: CNH118 4000 Central Florida Blvd. P.O. Box 161994 Orlando, FL 32816
Contact: Maria Roman, Maria.Roman@ucf.edu
Community Partner Mission Statement: "YWLP promotes middle school girls’ leadership abilities, pairing collegiate women with middle school girls. In mentoring pairs and small groups of Big and Little Sisters, participants focus on learning competence and autonomy, independent thinking, empowerment, self-esteem, and encouraging girls to think about their futures. Mentoring sessions run in the fall and the spring."
Political and/or Social Basis for Organization: The Young Women Leaders Program "is in the process of doing research on girls' leadership in the context of a UCF mentoring program. The program is also working on national AAUW grant on girl's leadership to stop bullying." Overall the organization is based on the idea of being a positive role model to young girls and encouraging them to be the best they can be.
Community Partner Needs: YWLP relies on college women to volunteer their time to mentor 7th grade girls by attending meetings and creating a bond with their little sister. Currently the program has a need for students that can dedicate their time and efforts to make the 1st Young Women Leaders Program's Slam Dunk for School Safety Basketball Fundraiser a successful event. Furthermore the program also needs students to assist with the "Leading Out Loud (LOL)" project.

My Service Learning project is to utilize all the tools at my disposal to help the Leading Out Loud project to be a success. First I will begin by assisting Maria Roman in as much as I can to make the Basketball Tournament Fundraiser a success. The ultimate goal will be to raise money and work on the LOL project so that the Seminole County 7th grade girls can successfully lead 5th grade Seminole County school students to prevent bullying.
This directly relates to everything we have discussed in class because we are teaching our little sisters to be leaders. One important skill that we are using as women leaders is to allow a younger generation to step up and take action. We have discussed that it is important as a leader to create access for younger generations. Another concept we are using is that of a less hierarchical structure and instead we are leading through a collective power. This project will allow me to put into practice the skills and attributes that relate to being a Feminist leader.

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