Friends, family and community allies of the Healthy Girls Initiative of Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida and the Healthy Girls Task Force (Venice and Englewood teams) are invited to a POTLUCK at the Venice Girl Scout House on Saturday, May 23rd from 5pm to 7pm to help plan the planting of the new organic garden!
For more information or to RSVP, please call Julia at (941) 302-0004 or email her at juliao@gsgcf.org
Want more Healthy Girls Initiative online? Visit: http://www.myspace.com/healthygirlsinitiative !
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Last Chance to Register for Uniquely Me! Summer "Challenge" Program for Moms & Daughters!
Uniquely Me! Summer “Challenge” Program Kicks Off!
This month, the Women’s Resource Center of Sarasota County and the Healthy Girls Initiative of Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida, Inc. team up for the first time to offer a free ten week holistic health program for mothers and daughters.
The Uniquely Me!: Summer “Challenge” Program for Moms and Daughters is designed to build a positive, long-lasting relationship between mothers and daughters while educating both on living a healthy lifestyle. The program will be held at the Women’s Resource Center in Venice, located on the campus of the Venice Branch of the South County Family YMCA at 701 Center Road, Venice, FL 34285. The first session of the program will be Wednesday, May 20th from 6pm to 8pm. The last session is on Wednesday, July 22nd.
This special program fuses together the curriculum used in the Uniquely Me! Program for Girls offered by the Healthy Girls Initiative and the Challenge Program offered by the Women’s Resource Center. The program facilitators will be Elaine Taylor of the Women’s Resource Center and Julia Onnie-Hay of the Healthy Girls Initiative. Topics include stress management, communication, and advocacy. Each session includes a delicious, healthy snack and nutrition lesson as well as a meditation and stretch break.
To register, contact Healthy Girls Initiative Program Specialist Julia Onnie-Hay at juliao@gsgcf.org or (941) 302-0004 for a registration form or simply pick one up from the Women’s Resource Center Venice Office located in the old building at the Venice YMCA. All forms are to be dropped off or mailed to the Women’s Resource Center Venice Office. The first ten mother-daughter teams to register will receive free dark chocolate!
Want more Healthy Girls Initiative online? Visit: http://www.myspace.com/healthygirlsinitiative !
This month, the Women’s Resource Center of Sarasota County and the Healthy Girls Initiative of Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida, Inc. team up for the first time to offer a free ten week holistic health program for mothers and daughters.
The Uniquely Me!: Summer “Challenge” Program for Moms and Daughters is designed to build a positive, long-lasting relationship between mothers and daughters while educating both on living a healthy lifestyle. The program will be held at the Women’s Resource Center in Venice, located on the campus of the Venice Branch of the South County Family YMCA at 701 Center Road, Venice, FL 34285. The first session of the program will be Wednesday, May 20th from 6pm to 8pm. The last session is on Wednesday, July 22nd.
This special program fuses together the curriculum used in the Uniquely Me! Program for Girls offered by the Healthy Girls Initiative and the Challenge Program offered by the Women’s Resource Center. The program facilitators will be Elaine Taylor of the Women’s Resource Center and Julia Onnie-Hay of the Healthy Girls Initiative. Topics include stress management, communication, and advocacy. Each session includes a delicious, healthy snack and nutrition lesson as well as a meditation and stretch break.
To register, contact Healthy Girls Initiative Program Specialist Julia Onnie-Hay at juliao@gsgcf.org or (941) 302-0004 for a registration form or simply pick one up from the Women’s Resource Center Venice Office located in the old building at the Venice YMCA. All forms are to be dropped off or mailed to the Women’s Resource Center Venice Office. The first ten mother-daughter teams to register will receive free dark chocolate!
Want more Healthy Girls Initiative online? Visit: http://www.myspace.com/healthygirlsinitiative !
Healthy Girls Summer Program
For those of us looking forward to a summer of wellness, there is bad news and good news from Healthy Girls Initiative this month. To get the bad news out of the way, here it is: Due to low registration and budget cuts, the Healthy Girls South County Summer Camp has been canceled. Although thousands of flyers and registration forms were delivered to all South Sarasota County middle schools and elementary schools, the cost of the camp posed a hurdle to many of our families struggling in these challenging economic times to find the most affordable summer programs for their girls.
However, there’s really good news: Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida, Inc. has chosen to utilize the Healthy Girls Initiative five-session “Healthy Girls Summer Program” curriculum as their summer outreach program! That means that thousands of girls will receive holistic health education this summer in ten counties. Any summer camps wanting a Girl Scouts representative to come and deliver the Healthy Girls Summer Program is invited to contact the Girl Scouts Council to arrange the logistics of the program by calling Julia at (941) 921-5358 ext. 319.
Want more Healthy Girls Initiative online? Visit: http://www.myspace.com/healthygirlsinitiative !
However, there’s really good news: Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida, Inc. has chosen to utilize the Healthy Girls Initiative five-session “Healthy Girls Summer Program” curriculum as their summer outreach program! That means that thousands of girls will receive holistic health education this summer in ten counties. Any summer camps wanting a Girl Scouts representative to come and deliver the Healthy Girls Summer Program is invited to contact the Girl Scouts Council to arrange the logistics of the program by calling Julia at (941) 921-5358 ext. 319.
Want more Healthy Girls Initiative online? Visit: http://www.myspace.com/healthygirlsinitiative !
Free Better Together! Zumba Classes
Women & Girls Invited to Feel Better Together! with FREE Zumba Classes At the Venice YMCA!
Starting April 15th the Healthy Girls Initiative. will offer Better Together! a six-week series of free Zumba classes for girls and their adult female caregivers (moms, grandmas, aunts, sisters, guardians, Big Sister, teachers, trusted family friend, etc).
The classes will be taught by Christine Pitts, a certified fitness instructor with many years of experience and a passion for helping women who are new to group exercise have fun with fitness. The South County Family YMCA has generously offered space for the classes at their Venice location on Wednesday evenings from 6:00pm to 7:00pm.
This class is designed for girls and women who are new to group exercise or getting back into exercising after a break, but all fitness levels are welcomed.
The dates of the class are: April 15; April 22; April 29; May 6; May 13; May 20. Each class is limited to ten girl-woman teams. To register for one or more classes, contact Julia Onnie-Hay, Program Specialist at (941) 921-5358 ext. 319 or juliao@gsgcf.org.
Task Force Girls Raised $1000 To Fund Six Community Service Projects Happening This Summer!
Last month we reported that the Healthy Girls Initiative Venice and Englewood Youth Leadership Task Force girls had chosen six community service projects they’ll be working on this summer. During April, these 24 girls completed two major volunteer projects that raised a little over $1000 to cover the expenses of their projects. These projects include: planting an organic community garden at the Venice Girl Scout House; Healthy Girls Wellness Fair at the Venice Girl Scout House on Saturday, June 20th; Healthy Girls Beach Yoga & Clean-Up at Englewood Beach on Saturday mornings starting in June and running through the summer; Healthy Girls Nature & Fitness Day on Saturday, July 18th in Englewood; an educational healthy living sign campaign in Englewood; and a Back-to-School Stress Less Sleep-Over on Saturday, August 15th at the Venice Girl Scout House.
On Saturday, April 11th, Task Force girls raised $500 selling tickets to the Venice Wellness Expo at the Venice Community Center on the island of Venice. Two weeks later, on Saturday, April 25th, Task Force girls and other girls from Healthy Girls Initiative programs traveled up to St. Petersburg before dawn and served as the water girls at the annual Meek and Mighty Triathlon, earning an additional $500. After the Triathlon, the girls relaxed at a beach picnic at Fort Desoto Park on Terra Verde Island for some well-earned rest and relaxation. Through these two projects, girls learned about events that promote community wellness while being of service and fundraising. Thanks are due to Richard Benham of the Venice Wellness Expo and Alyson Noune of the Meek & Mighty Triathlon for providing these stellar opportunities to the Healthy Girls Initiative girls!
Want more Healthy Girls Initiative online? Visit: http://www.myspace.com/healthygirlsinitiative !
Starting April 15th the Healthy Girls Initiative. will offer Better Together! a six-week series of free Zumba classes for girls and their adult female caregivers (moms, grandmas, aunts, sisters, guardians, Big Sister, teachers, trusted family friend, etc).
The classes will be taught by Christine Pitts, a certified fitness instructor with many years of experience and a passion for helping women who are new to group exercise have fun with fitness. The South County Family YMCA has generously offered space for the classes at their Venice location on Wednesday evenings from 6:00pm to 7:00pm.
This class is designed for girls and women who are new to group exercise or getting back into exercising after a break, but all fitness levels are welcomed.
The dates of the class are: April 15; April 22; April 29; May 6; May 13; May 20. Each class is limited to ten girl-woman teams. To register for one or more classes, contact Julia Onnie-Hay, Program Specialist at (941) 921-5358 ext. 319 or juliao@gsgcf.org.
Task Force Girls Raised $1000 To Fund Six Community Service Projects Happening This Summer!
Last month we reported that the Healthy Girls Initiative Venice and Englewood Youth Leadership Task Force girls had chosen six community service projects they’ll be working on this summer. During April, these 24 girls completed two major volunteer projects that raised a little over $1000 to cover the expenses of their projects. These projects include: planting an organic community garden at the Venice Girl Scout House; Healthy Girls Wellness Fair at the Venice Girl Scout House on Saturday, June 20th; Healthy Girls Beach Yoga & Clean-Up at Englewood Beach on Saturday mornings starting in June and running through the summer; Healthy Girls Nature & Fitness Day on Saturday, July 18th in Englewood; an educational healthy living sign campaign in Englewood; and a Back-to-School Stress Less Sleep-Over on Saturday, August 15th at the Venice Girl Scout House.
On Saturday, April 11th, Task Force girls raised $500 selling tickets to the Venice Wellness Expo at the Venice Community Center on the island of Venice. Two weeks later, on Saturday, April 25th, Task Force girls and other girls from Healthy Girls Initiative programs traveled up to St. Petersburg before dawn and served as the water girls at the annual Meek and Mighty Triathlon, earning an additional $500. After the Triathlon, the girls relaxed at a beach picnic at Fort Desoto Park on Terra Verde Island for some well-earned rest and relaxation. Through these two projects, girls learned about events that promote community wellness while being of service and fundraising. Thanks are due to Richard Benham of the Venice Wellness Expo and Alyson Noune of the Meek & Mighty Triathlon for providing these stellar opportunities to the Healthy Girls Initiative girls!
Want more Healthy Girls Initiative online? Visit: http://www.myspace.com/healthygirlsinitiative !
May Programs
Get Ready for a Healthy Summer! May Programs:
Healthy Girls Initiative has a lot of exciting holistic health programs for girls and adults going on in South Sarasota County this May! Please contact Julia as soon as possible at (941) 921-5358 ext. 319 or (941) 302-0004 or juliao@gsgcf.org to register for any of the following:
* Community Wellness Event: A.R.T. Bike Map Release Party @ Arlington Park (Sarasota)
Date: Saturday, May 2nd
Time: 12:00pm to 3:00pm
Cost: FREE!
More Info: www.bikewalklive.org
For all community members.
* BYOU2 Dance Parties @ Uniquely Me! Program for Girls Sites
Dates: Tuesday, May12th at North Port Boys & Girls Club
Wednesday, May 13th at Venice YMCA
Thursday, May 14th at Venice Boys & Girls Club
Friday, May 15th at Laurel Civic Association
Time: 4:00pm to 5:00pm
Cost: $5 for registered Girl Scouts and $10 for non-Girl Scouts
More Info: Enjoy a fun dance party with hiphop and Bollywood moves led by a Cheetah Girl! Focus on loving yourself while celebrating the start of a healthy summer with other girls!
For girls at the sites.
* Better Together Free Fusion Fitness Program @ Venice YMCA
Date: Wednesdays May 6th, May 13th & May 20th
Time: 6:00pm to 7:00pm
Cost: FREE!
More Info: The class is held at the Venice Family YMCA (a HGI community partner), which offers a wide variety of classes and opportunities for girls and adults to exercise in a friendly, safe community environment. Come to one, two, or all six classes! This class is perfect for girls and adults new to group exercise but is appropriate for all fitness levels.
For girls and women.
* Girl Awards Ceremony @ Riverview High School (Ft. Myers)
Date: Sunday, May 17th
Time: 2:00pm to 4:00pm
Cost: FREE!
More Info: The Healthy Girls Initiative Task Forces will be honored for their community service projects helping girls in South Sarasota County to lead healthier lifestyles.
For girls in the Healthy Girls Initiative Youth Leadership Task Forces and their families and friends.
* Uniquely Me! Summer “Challenge” Program for Moms & Daughters @ Women’s Resource Center (Venice)
Date: Wednesdays May 20th – July 22nd
Time: 6:00pm to 8:00pm
Cost: FREE!
More Info: See article on first page of e-newsletter.
For students at North Port High School.
* Englewood Youth Leadership Task Force Meeting @ Englewood United Methodist Church (Englewood)
Date: Monday, May 18th
Time: 6:00pm to 8:00pm
Cost: FREE!
More Info: Meeting 5 of the Task Force will focus continue with plans for the other two community service projects.
Members of the Englewood Task Force only.
* Venice Youth Leadership Task Force Meeting @ Northern Trust Bank (Venice)
Date: Thursday, May 21st
Time: 6:00pm to 8:00pm
Cost: FREE!
More Info: Meeting 5 of the Task Force will focus on continuing plans for summer community service projects.
Members of the Venice Task Force only.
Want more Healthy Girls Initiative online? Visit: http://www.myspace.com/healthygirlsinitiative !
Healthy Girls Initiative has a lot of exciting holistic health programs for girls and adults going on in South Sarasota County this May! Please contact Julia as soon as possible at (941) 921-5358 ext. 319 or (941) 302-0004 or juliao@gsgcf.org to register for any of the following:
* Community Wellness Event: A.R.T. Bike Map Release Party @ Arlington Park (Sarasota)
Date: Saturday, May 2nd
Time: 12:00pm to 3:00pm
Cost: FREE!
More Info: www.bikewalklive.org
For all community members.
* BYOU2 Dance Parties @ Uniquely Me! Program for Girls Sites
Dates: Tuesday, May12th at North Port Boys & Girls Club
Wednesday, May 13th at Venice YMCA
Thursday, May 14th at Venice Boys & Girls Club
Friday, May 15th at Laurel Civic Association
Time: 4:00pm to 5:00pm
Cost: $5 for registered Girl Scouts and $10 for non-Girl Scouts
More Info: Enjoy a fun dance party with hiphop and Bollywood moves led by a Cheetah Girl! Focus on loving yourself while celebrating the start of a healthy summer with other girls!
For girls at the sites.
* Better Together Free Fusion Fitness Program @ Venice YMCA
Date: Wednesdays May 6th, May 13th & May 20th
Time: 6:00pm to 7:00pm
Cost: FREE!
More Info: The class is held at the Venice Family YMCA (a HGI community partner), which offers a wide variety of classes and opportunities for girls and adults to exercise in a friendly, safe community environment. Come to one, two, or all six classes! This class is perfect for girls and adults new to group exercise but is appropriate for all fitness levels.
For girls and women.
* Girl Awards Ceremony @ Riverview High School (Ft. Myers)
Date: Sunday, May 17th
Time: 2:00pm to 4:00pm
Cost: FREE!
More Info: The Healthy Girls Initiative Task Forces will be honored for their community service projects helping girls in South Sarasota County to lead healthier lifestyles.
For girls in the Healthy Girls Initiative Youth Leadership Task Forces and their families and friends.
* Uniquely Me! Summer “Challenge” Program for Moms & Daughters @ Women’s Resource Center (Venice)
Date: Wednesdays May 20th – July 22nd
Time: 6:00pm to 8:00pm
Cost: FREE!
More Info: See article on first page of e-newsletter.
For students at North Port High School.
* Englewood Youth Leadership Task Force Meeting @ Englewood United Methodist Church (Englewood)
Date: Monday, May 18th
Time: 6:00pm to 8:00pm
Cost: FREE!
More Info: Meeting 5 of the Task Force will focus continue with plans for the other two community service projects.
Members of the Englewood Task Force only.
* Venice Youth Leadership Task Force Meeting @ Northern Trust Bank (Venice)
Date: Thursday, May 21st
Time: 6:00pm to 8:00pm
Cost: FREE!
More Info: Meeting 5 of the Task Force will focus on continuing plans for summer community service projects.
Members of the Venice Task Force only.
Want more Healthy Girls Initiative online? Visit: http://www.myspace.com/healthygirlsinitiative !
Healthy Woman of the Month: Vivian Quintero
Healthy Woman of the Month: Vivian Quintero
Each month, Healthy Girls Initiative will feature a brief interview with a woman who contributes to our South Sarasota County community by leading by example and promoting holistically healthy lifestyles for our girls.
Our May Healthy Woman of the Month is Vivian Quintero, the new and warmly welcomed part-time Healthy Girls Initiative staff member.
Where you live and how long have you lived there?
I have lived in Sarasota, by the beautiful bay (one of my favorite places), since May 2007. Before that, I lived in Bradenton with my mom and grandma.
What do you do for work?
I work for Healthy Girls Initiative! My main responsibility is to deliver the Healthy Girls Initiative program to girls in Spanish. I also work for Worden Farms at the Farmer's Market whenever they need extra help and provide babysitting and interpreting/translating services to low-income families. I have worked as an administrative assistant for St. Jude Catholic Church, El Mariachi Loco insurance agency and the Hispanic-Latino Coalition. I have been a hostess at Captain Brian's Seafood Restaurant and Market and a tutor/mentor and babysitter on many, many occassions. I especially enjoy tutoring in math.
What do you do when you’re not working?
I take classes at Manatee Community College, walk on the beach with friends, meditate and sing by the bay, visit my family in Bradenton, volunteer with several organizations through New College (Jesus Club, Food Not Bombs, Coalition of Immokalee Farmworkers), hang out with my 5-year old cousin, Elena, go to Bible studies, enjoy cooking Colombian food to share with others, hang out at Big E's Coffeeshop and make new friends/meet with old friends, turn up the radio and dance in my living room while cleaning, hang out with the kids I babysit, go Latin dancing, sing in my church choir, take walks around my neighborhood...
How many girls ages 8-14 do you interact with on a regular basis?
Besides the girls that are a part of Healthy Girls Initiative, zero. The young people I interact with on a regular basis are my cousin, Elena, and the kids I babysit (both are boys).
What does living a healthy lifestyle mean to you?
Living a healthy lifestyle means being holistically well. I strive to achieve wellness in all of its dimensions (emotional, physical, social, spiritual, intellectual, occupational and environmental) because mind and body are interrelated. For years, I've been making and re-making a list which describes in detail the goals I'm working on or will work on in each dimension to achieve wellness in that area of my life. It is in setting these goals, striving to achieve them and re-evaluating them periodically that I feel that I reach my greatest potential for wellness.
Share your top three healthy living tips for other adult caregivers of girls:
#1- LOVE and SMILE! Learn to truly love yourself and others and show it in your lifestyle. Smiling will change your mood in positive ways!
#2- FAST! Take a break from some things, sometimes. Give yourself a break from the chaos of everyday living to relax and discover/re-evaluate priorities. Do this to re-energize as often as needed to avoid burnout and stay at your best!
#3- SET GOALS! Align your thoughts and actions with what you want to accomplish, with who you want to be, and write down each one of your goals in a special place. See how each goal relates to your overall wellness. Repeat, as needed.
Why are you a part of Healthy Girls Initiative?
I am embracing this opportunity to educate and serve as a role model because I know how important wellness education and support from healthy role models is in the lives of young girls and recognize how critical it has been in the ever-continuing transformation of my own lifestyle. For example, as a young girl I developed unhealthy eating habits and poor self-esteem. Later on, in high school, my life management skills teacher served as an excellent and extremely influencial role model, supporter and educator. She introduced me to healthy attitudes towards nutrition and became my "fitness coach" sophomore year. Today, I am thrilled about the opportunity to work alongside and continue learning from Julia, and to be an empowerer of young girls and their families through education and support.
Want more Healthy Girls Initiative online? Visit: http://www.myspace.com/healthygirlsinitiative !
Each month, Healthy Girls Initiative will feature a brief interview with a woman who contributes to our South Sarasota County community by leading by example and promoting holistically healthy lifestyles for our girls.
Our May Healthy Woman of the Month is Vivian Quintero, the new and warmly welcomed part-time Healthy Girls Initiative staff member.
Where you live and how long have you lived there?
I have lived in Sarasota, by the beautiful bay (one of my favorite places), since May 2007. Before that, I lived in Bradenton with my mom and grandma.
What do you do for work?
I work for Healthy Girls Initiative! My main responsibility is to deliver the Healthy Girls Initiative program to girls in Spanish. I also work for Worden Farms at the Farmer's Market whenever they need extra help and provide babysitting and interpreting/translating services to low-income families. I have worked as an administrative assistant for St. Jude Catholic Church, El Mariachi Loco insurance agency and the Hispanic-Latino Coalition. I have been a hostess at Captain Brian's Seafood Restaurant and Market and a tutor/mentor and babysitter on many, many occassions. I especially enjoy tutoring in math.
What do you do when you’re not working?
I take classes at Manatee Community College, walk on the beach with friends, meditate and sing by the bay, visit my family in Bradenton, volunteer with several organizations through New College (Jesus Club, Food Not Bombs, Coalition of Immokalee Farmworkers), hang out with my 5-year old cousin, Elena, go to Bible studies, enjoy cooking Colombian food to share with others, hang out at Big E's Coffeeshop and make new friends/meet with old friends, turn up the radio and dance in my living room while cleaning, hang out with the kids I babysit, go Latin dancing, sing in my church choir, take walks around my neighborhood...
How many girls ages 8-14 do you interact with on a regular basis?
Besides the girls that are a part of Healthy Girls Initiative, zero. The young people I interact with on a regular basis are my cousin, Elena, and the kids I babysit (both are boys).
What does living a healthy lifestyle mean to you?
Living a healthy lifestyle means being holistically well. I strive to achieve wellness in all of its dimensions (emotional, physical, social, spiritual, intellectual, occupational and environmental) because mind and body are interrelated. For years, I've been making and re-making a list which describes in detail the goals I'm working on or will work on in each dimension to achieve wellness in that area of my life. It is in setting these goals, striving to achieve them and re-evaluating them periodically that I feel that I reach my greatest potential for wellness.
Share your top three healthy living tips for other adult caregivers of girls:
#1- LOVE and SMILE! Learn to truly love yourself and others and show it in your lifestyle. Smiling will change your mood in positive ways!
#2- FAST! Take a break from some things, sometimes. Give yourself a break from the chaos of everyday living to relax and discover/re-evaluate priorities. Do this to re-energize as often as needed to avoid burnout and stay at your best!
#3- SET GOALS! Align your thoughts and actions with what you want to accomplish, with who you want to be, and write down each one of your goals in a special place. See how each goal relates to your overall wellness. Repeat, as needed.
Why are you a part of Healthy Girls Initiative?
I am embracing this opportunity to educate and serve as a role model because I know how important wellness education and support from healthy role models is in the lives of young girls and recognize how critical it has been in the ever-continuing transformation of my own lifestyle. For example, as a young girl I developed unhealthy eating habits and poor self-esteem. Later on, in high school, my life management skills teacher served as an excellent and extremely influencial role model, supporter and educator. She introduced me to healthy attitudes towards nutrition and became my "fitness coach" sophomore year. Today, I am thrilled about the opportunity to work alongside and continue learning from Julia, and to be an empowerer of young girls and their families through education and support.
Want more Healthy Girls Initiative online? Visit: http://www.myspace.com/healthygirlsinitiative !
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