'Positively Me' -- A Greenwich Junior League Program for Girls

The Junior League of Greenwich has launched its fifth year of ‘PositivelyMe!,’ a free empowerment program for Greenwich-based, third-grade girls.

Despite the wintery weather, Session I was held in January. The program, initially launched in 2010, is designed to help girls develop the skills they need to be confident, make good decisions, be assertive and express themselves in a fun, relaxed and supportive environment.

‘PositivelyMe!’ aims to reach girls at a crucial time in their lives. “Though every child is different, third grade is typically a time when girls are both developing their independence and spending more time with their peers. Many girls place a high importance on peer acceptance and struggle to figure out where they fit in at school, making third grade an ideal time to help girls gain positive social skills, make new friends and boost their self esteem in the process,” said Kristen Tomasiewicz, PositivelyMe! co-chair.

During the first session, attendees participated in a wide variety of activities including a board breaking ceremony, role-playing workshops, and a special volunteer project led by community partners. “The activities are a lot of fun, but each activity has an important message,” according to MariaSole Kaine, PositivelyMe! Co-Chair. For instance, during the board-breaking ceremony, girls learn that through discipline, they can overcome obstacles. Role-playing teaches them strategies for difficult social situations, and the volunteer project emphasizes the importance of giving back. “Whether we are singing, dancing, writing, or having an open discussion, the girls are constantly engaged and learning,” Kaine said.

For 2015, there are four, two-day sessions, each on a Friday, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. and Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday evening takes the form of an old-fashioned pajama party, while Saturday is a full day of workshops. For those who missed out on Session I, there are limited spots available in Session IV-April 17 and 18. (Session II on Feb. 20 and 21, Session III on March 27 and 28 are filled.)

To register, visit www.jlgreenwich.org and look for PositivelyMe! in Current Projects under the Community Impact tab. The event takes place at the Junior League of Greenwich headquarters, located at 231 E. Putnam Ave.

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Contributed photos.