Page 37 - Laguna Blanca Magazine Summer 2018
P. 37

LBS  School Counselor  Kim Valentine   “Girl Meets World,” is designed to empower girls   That’s why she also arranged for Girls Leadership
              has always been passionate  about      to  find their  voice  and  live  their  most  authentic   co-founder  Simone  Marean  to  hold  a  Parent
              finding ways to address the numerous   lives by being themselves, as opposed to living by   Education talk called “Raising Resilient Girls,” for
                                                     societal norms about how girls “should” be.
                                                                                            Laguna and the entire Santa Barbara community
              challenges  that  arise  for  girls  growing      With  help  from  Laguna’s  professional   this past March.
              up in modern society.
                                                     development  program,  Valentine  was  able  to      “Because  Simone  is  immersed  in  girl
                                                     attend  a  four-day  Girls  Leadership  conference   development,  she  was  the  perfect  person  to
                 As  a  counselor,  she  says  she  often  found   and training to bring the program to our school.   talk  with  our  community  and  share  practical,
              herself looking for resources to help support and   She launched the program this past school year   actionable advice that we, parents and educators,
              sort out ‘girl issues,’ which seemed to be far more   with  a  special  weekly  lunch  for  fifth grade  girls.   can use to support our girls in finding their voices,”
              complex  and  challenging  than  those  faced  by   The  group  met  every  Monday  for  meaningful   Valentine says.
              boys of the same age.                  lessons, games, and discussion, tackling issues      The  engaging  standing-room  only  event
                 “Growing  up  as  a  girl  in  today’s  world  and   like:  navigating  challenging  friendships,  creating   held  at  Girls,  Inc.,  was  a  large  success  and
              parenting a girl in today’s world is a lot diffe ent   balanced friendships, learning to truthfully express   has become the gateway to a full-blown parent
              than it was even 20 years ago.” she says. But in   needs, and more.           education speaker series that is currently in the
              2012, Valentine discovered a game changer: the      But Valentine knew working with young girls   works for the 2018-19 school year. Stay tuned for
              Girls Leadership Program. Co-founded by Rachel   was just part of the equation. Families also play an   more information.
              Simmons and Simone Marean, Girls Leadership   important role in ensuring that today’s girls grow
              is  an  educational  nonprofit whose  curriculum,   up  to  be  smart,  confident, and  strong  women.










































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