{"id":13500,"date":"2025-04-04T15:20:00","date_gmt":"2025-04-04T19:20:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.vbcpsblogs.com\/core\/?p=13500"},"modified":"2025-04-04T15:20:00","modified_gmt":"2025-04-04T19:20:00","slug":"new-community-partner-provides-guiding-light-to-girls","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.vbcpsblogs.com\/core\/new-community-partner-provides-guiding-light-to-girls\/","title":{"rendered":"New community partner provides guiding light to girls"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"\"<\/a>
Girls with Goals Foundation mentor Ashley Church interacted with Bettie F. Williams students after they were asked to answer, \u201cWhat makes a good friend?\u201d<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

By Cindy Butler Focke<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Girls with Goals Foundation founder Lisa Church led a discussion about friendship during a meeting at Bettie F. Williams.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Lisa Church is dedicated to guiding young girls toward a brighter future.<\/p>\n

That\u2019s why she joined about 20 Bettie F. Williams Elementary students for lunch to talk about friendship.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat do you want in a friend?\u201d she asked them.<\/p>\n

Fifth grader Serenity Smith answered, \u201cloyal, real, honest, trustworthy, funny, comforting.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cA friend is someone you can talk to and who shares in your happiness and doesn\u2019t judge you,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

The monthly meeting of the Girls with Goals Foundation was in session.<\/p>\n

Church formed Girls with Goals seven years ago. The nonprofit organization was officially founded in 2022 and recently joined VBCPS as a community partner.<\/p>\n

She and her volunteer mentors spend the second Friday of each month during the school year travelling from one school to the next, including Rosemont, Bettie F. Williams and Parkway elementary schools.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
From left, Parkway Elementary fourth graders E\u2019mony Murphy, Sarabii Bell, and De\u2019Jour Haskins-Hunter proudly displayed their descriptions of qualities they want in a friend.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Her mission? To bring together like-minded adolescent girls to promote self-motivation, personal responsibility, leadership and teamwork.<\/p>\n

Honesty, commitment, courage, perseverance, respect and service are incorporated into the monthly lessons.<\/p>\n

\u201cI hold these values so near and dear to me,\u201d Church said. \u201cI want them to use these tools outside of this door.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe are empowering our future.\u201d<\/p>\n

The program is designed for those with limited resources, socioeconomic barriers and in need of guidance.<\/p>\n

Selected by school counselors, the girls \u00a0\u2014 mostly fourth and fifth graders \u2014 spend about an hour with Church and volunteers. They discuss a variety of topics, such as self-awareness, prevention of bullying and relationships.<\/p>\n

Bettie F. Williams technology support technician Khadijah Kelly is one of the mentors.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe believe that social emotional learning will help our mentees to build better work habits and social skills,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Girls with Goals mentor Khadijah Kelly, left, and founder Lisa Church answered questions and shared ideas about friendship with Parkway Elementary students.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

During a recent meeting, students were asked, \u201cIf you had a superpower, what would it be?<\/p>\n

Answers included \u201cto help other people in need,\u201d \u201cbe able to fly,\u201d and \u201cbe invisible.\u201d<\/p>\n

Church allows the students to share their answers and explain why.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a no judgement zone,\u201d she said. \u201cThings we talk about and discuss stays here.\u201d<\/p>\n

Parkway Elementary fourth grader Sarabii Bell said she likes being in Girls with Goals.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe get to talk about things that we don\u2019t like to talk to others about.\u201d<\/p>\n

Sometimes they get off topic, but Church said that\u2019s OK. Recently a participant shared something unpleasant that happened on social media while talking with friends.<\/p>\n

\u201cAlways share with an adult if something is not right,\u201d Church reminded the group.<\/p>\n

Church grew up in Norfolk and was a finance manager for 20 years before retiring. She is now a certified life coach, realtor and grandmother of eight.<\/p>\n

She always had an open-door policy when it came to her daughters\u2019 friends.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe would sit at the dining room table and talk about things and have an open dialogue.\u201d<\/p>\n

She realized the importance of mentorship. In fact, during high school, a teacher provided her with much-needed guidance.<\/p>\n

Church called her \u201cmy guiding light.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Rosemont Elementary Girls with Goals Foundation members and mentors celebrated the nonprofit organization\u2019s community partnership with VBCPS.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

One of Church\u2019s three children is Rosemont Elementary principal Brittney Church Green.<\/p>\n

Green said the foundation connects girls with positive role models who guide and support them in making informed decisions about their futures.<\/p>\n

\u201cGirls with Goals aims to create a lasting impact, ensuring that these young girls have the opportunity to pursue higher education, meaningful careers and a brighter future.\u201d<\/p>\n

Girls with Goals plans a 5K fundraiser run in June at Williams Farm Recreation Center. For more information, visit <\/em>http:\/\/www.girlswithgoalsfoundation.com<\/em><\/a>. For more information about VBCPS Partners in Education, visit <\/em>vbschools.com<\/em><\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Parkway Elementary Girls with Goals members and mentors following a meeting about friendship.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Members of Girls with Goals discuss a variety of topics during their monthly meetings, including anti-bullying.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Rosemont Elementary Girls with Goals Foundation members and mentors celebrated the nonprofit organization\u2019s community partnership with VBCPS.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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