Direct Service Intern
Organization:
Girls Empowerment Network
Site Supervisor: Kameryn Sampson
Organization Address:
4660 Beechnut Street, Suite 102, Houston, Texas 77096
Organization Description:
Originally called The Ophelia Project, Girls Empowerment Network a 501(c)(3) was created in 1996 by twelve concerned mothers raising adolescent girls in Austin, Texas. Inspired by the book Reviving Ophelia by Dr. Mary Pipher, these mothers met to address an increasing trend among middle school aged girls – a systematic decline and sometimes permanent loss of self-esteem, the outcome of which can be devastating: epidemic levels of anorexia/bulimia, self-mutilation, depression, low academic achievement, teen pregnancy, and drug abuse.
Twenty-five years later, we help girls 3rd-12th grades discover they are powerful. We do this by teaching self-efficacy, which is a girl’s belief in her ability to succeed. Whether she is shooting for an A, overcoming a bully, becoming the first in her family to go to college, breaking up with an abusive partner, or just trying to take care of herself when she feels like no one else will – when a girl experiences our self-efficacy curriculum, she realizes she can do it and she becomes powerful.
We ignite the power in girls by teaching them the skills to thrive and believe in their ability to be unstoppable. This mission comes to life in our programs through a curriculum designed to increase each girl's self-efficacy (her belief in her ability to succeed).
Primary Function:
The Direct Service Intern will assist staff with co-facilitation of programs within the Girls Empowerment Network. They will work with a diverse group of girls in the Central Texas and Houston area and work in a team oriented environment. Direct Service interns can expect to gain valuable group facilitation skills, learn outreach techniques, and gain knowledge about social-emotional programming.
Duties & Responsibilities:
Assist in the implementation of all Girls Empowerment Network programs, including: Girl Connect, Workshops, We Are Girls Conference, Pathfinder, and Camp
Co-facilitate a minimum of 4 Girl Connect groups per week
Conduct intake, assessment, and provide referrals to participants when appropriate
Oversee logistical details of groups, such as recruiting participants and making reminder calls to participants
Attend community events in representation of Girls Empowerment Network
Conduct bi-weekly reports for groups
Preferred qualifications:
Applicants must be professional, creative, team oriented self-starters who have an eye for detail and a positive attitude
Applicants must have obtained or are actively pursuing a degree in counseling, social work, or related field
Must be committed to the goals/mission of Girls Empowerment Network and social justice
Must have reliable transportation
Must be available to run after-school programs on some weekdays