Are you a woman looking to get more involved in your community in a meaningful way? Now is the time, as the girl power organization from Detroit, called I Am P.I.N.K., has recently established an Eastern Michigan University chapter. The nonprofit organization targets sixth to twelfth grade girls from inner city areas who could benefit from guidance and mentorship of an older and more established woman.
I Am P.I.N.K.’s mission is to provide a fun-loving environment for girls from inner-city backgrounds to build positive relationships with peers, parents, friends and professionals. According to the website, P.I.N.K is a self-defined acronym for: “Positive that my past will not define my future. Introducing myself to the world. Never giving up on my dreams. Knocking on success’ door.”
I Am P.I.N.K. plans recreational and character building based activities monthly which aims to educate young women about the risks of interpersonal violence, teen pregnancy, low self-esteem, low graduation rates, drugs and alcohol. The mentors strive to empower young women to reach their true potential, while working to prevent them from becoming another high-risk statistic.
Centered on empowerment, the program’s philosophy recognizes that great transformations come from within. It encourages the participants to grow and make positive choices, while providing resources and support to prosper into successful women.
Program founder Janae Griggs said, “I Am P.I.N.K. is necessary because it provides younger generations with positive role models and resources to help them excel above their current limitations.”
The girls, or mentees, participate in character building workshops, field trips, company tours, leadership and community service projects, fitness and exercise programs and self-identity and self-esteem workshops.
The mentors guide each girl through the college experience, teaching them how to become individually successful, as well as sharing their personal stories and obstacles. I Am P.I.N.K is designed for mentors to maintain an active role in uplifting and inspiring young women, drilling in the message that they can be whatever they want to be.
Emily Keyes, a senior at EMU under the individualized studies program, has had much experience in mentoring programs.
“Mentoring is my favorite type of volunteer work because the effects of mentoring are visible,” Keyes said. “I’ve seen all the girls I have mentored grow into confident, educated and socially aware young women. That really makes me proud. I would recommend mentoring to anyone looking to volunteer.”
I Am P.I.N.K. is currently holding their 2nd Annual Glitz and Glamour Affair, which is an ongoing donation drive of previously worn dresses to provide high school participants with dresses for their prom in May. This affair also provides the opportunity for the girls to get their hair done before the dance. For more information about I Am P.I.N.K., or to become a mentor or mentee, visit the website at www.iampink.org.
