By Sue Wambolt, Contributing Writer
Regional – This school year, Shrewsbury Youth and Family Services, Inc. (SYFS) has partnered with the YMCA of Central Massachusetts, Borough Family Branch to offer an after-school version of the “You Go Girl!” program.
According to J. Michelle Lund, the primary instructor for the program, “The goal of You Go Girl! is to empower young girls to have self confidence, be more independent, increase social abilities, and learn new skills while working with positive female role models.”
Female mentors will discuss important issues such as positive female relationships skills, self-esteem and body image, peer pressure, bullying and healthy living. The goal, according to Lund, is to provide the girls with “education, support, guidance, mentoring and resources to prepare them to become the next generation of community leaders.”
As part of the program, the girls will participate in a variety of activities including cooking, crafting and community service. In addition, they will take advantage of the YMCA facilities to use the rock wall and track. Lund said she is looking into the possibility of aerobic instruction with some of the YMCA's instructors as well.
Any girl, age 10 – 12, who lives in the area served by the Boroughs YMCA (including Shrewsbury, Northborough, Westborough, Southborough, Hudson and Marlborough), is eligible to attend.
The You Go Girl! Program will run from 3:30 – 5:30 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays from Jan. 10 – April 12 (excluding the February break). The YMCA Boroughs branch is located at 4 Valente Drive. For more information or to register go to http://www.syfs-ma.org.
