Professional
Sabeen Rana, LCSW “Girls Rising Strong is a beautiful program thoughtfully curated to grow resilience and connection among the girls who participate. The program uses evidence-based research to sensitively teach social and emotional skills such as self-awareness, courage in the face of adversity, and relationship building. Each activity is carefully designed to put these skills into practice while promoting connection within the group. Girls Rising Strong is a unique opportunity for Middle and Upper Elementary School girls to deepen their values of kindness, bravery, and integrity while creating meaningful friendships with others who are doing the same. The program provides toolkits for parents that include resources to deepen parents’ understanding of the values and skills being taught during sessions. The toolkits also include activities for parents to help strengthen their connection with their daughters in their home environments. The pre-teen age is a stage that often gets overlooked when it comes to young girls’ development. As access to media has widened and social pressures have reached younger groups of adolescents, this stage has become a critical one for forming positive and meaningful connections at home and with peers. Girls Rising Strong fills an important gap in our communities by creating an environment where our young girls can create meaningful connections and build strong character; both of which make them more apt to resist and stand up to harmful social pressures and stay true to their values. As a therapist and Licensed Clinical Social Worker, I would recommend this program to any parent with adolescent daughters and I look forward to the day my daughter is old enough to participate herself!
Allison Joseph Forrer (Non Profit Leader) Elevate Adolescence Program has done a remarkable amount of deep, thoughtful work to craft a program supportive of boys’ and girls’ journeys through adolescence. With a holistic approach, the Elevate Adolescence Program meets participants where they are, acknowledging the challenges they face, the role they play in their family and community, and their desire to grow into strong, independent community members. The materials balance detailed lesson plans with broader information that allows facilitators to flex within the program and respond to the particular needs of their group.
Allison Joseph Forrer has over 15 years of non-profit leadership experience, most recently serving as a co-director of Cooking Matters by Share Our Strength, where she oversaw all facets of the nutrition and food skills education program, including managing curricula development, evaluation efforts, nationwide implementation, and AmeriCorps grant initiatives. Her dedication to public service is supported by a strong academic foundation, including a Bachelor of Arts from Dartmouth College and a Master of Public Policy from the University of Chicago. She lives in Boulder, Colorado, where she is often found baking, walking her dog, reading, or challenging herself in the world of CrossFit. Allison has two baseball-loving boys, ages 9 and 11, and she is grateful to be working with the Elevate Adolescence program as her own family navigates the transition into middle school next year.
Carmen Bessant, LMFT “My endorsement for the program is because it takes what most women want to learn about themselves and breaks it down into small sections and allows the youth to grow into their best self while still giving them opportunities to participate in something bigger than themselves. Young women today are bombarded with so many negative influences that they are given the wrong impression of what a woman is. They do not develop the skills to be able to have a core value system, empathy for others, and a sense of community. This program gives them all the tools they need to succeed at knowing who they are and how they want to show up in the world around them. From asking them the tough questions to providing a way for them to demonstrate their skills and what they have learned through the experience of community service this program offers a different perspective to a much needed learning experience for our young women today.”
Yousuf Raza Consultant Psychiatrist & CEO Telepsych, MD,PhD “Boys Breaking Through is an exemplary program thoughtfully designed to foster growth, resilience, and meaningful connections among the boys who participate. The program blends meticulous attention to detail with relatable content, striking a remarkable balance between structured learning and hands-on activities. Through evidence-based approaches, Boys Breaking Through equips participants with invaluable skills such as leadership, emotional intelligence, and the ability to build and maintain healthy relationships.
Boys Breaking Through addresses the critical need for spaces where boys can develop a strong sense of personal values, including courage, integrity, and responsibility while fostering their ability to collaborate and connect with peers. The program also provides parents with toolkits and resources that not only deepen their understanding of the skills and values being taught but also empower them to reinforce these lessons at home, strengthening their relationships with their sons in the process. In today’s world, where boys face increasing societal pressures and complex challenges, Boys Breaking Through offers a critical opportunity for them to grow into confident, compassionate, and capable individuals. By addressing the need for leadership development and emotional awareness in a way that feels authentic and accessible, this program plays an invaluable role in nurturing boys’ holistic development. As a psychiatrist and mental health professional, I wholeheartedly recommend Boys Breaking Through to any parent seeking opportunities for their sons to cultivate strong character, emotional depth, and a sense of purpose. I look forward to seeing the lasting positive impact this program will have on the next generation.”
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