|
PROGRAMS
The Foundation helps
girls to reach their true potential through a combination of mentoring
and scholarships.
Mentoring: Emily’s
Way
Emily’s Way Enrichment and
Mentoring Program is an attempt to address some of the challenges facing
girls and young women in our society, and specifically girls in the Oxon
Hill community of Prince George’s County. Addressing the needs of
adolescent girls should be a collaborative effort between the home,
school, church and community organizations. Together they can provide a
continuum of care and support that will help to ensure that our young
women have a strong foundation, in terms of health, education and
life-skills, for the pivotal roles that they will be assuming in their
families and communities as adults. Enrichment and life-skills programs,
like Emily’s Way, that reach girls, will yield rich rewards for them and
their communities. President Obama’s recent appointment of a focal point
person for issues facing women and girls is recognition of this need in
our society.
We know of many wonderful programs in Prince George’s County that target
boys and young men. However, we know of few, if any, that specifically
target girls and young women, and our program is designed to arm them
with the knowledge and understanding to change the way they see their
lives and open their eyes to the limitless opportunities that can
present themselves through education, dedication, and sound choices.
The overarching goal of Emily’s Way Enrichment and Mentoring Program is
to encourage and help female program participants to reach their maximum
potential academically, socially, personally and professionally.
Specifically, the goals are to (1) help girls improve self-esteem and
become sufficiently confident to function effectively in a variety of
settings; (2) develop a mind-set for achievement and success; (3) learn
strategies and receive tutoring in subjects that improve academic
achievement; (4) become more aware of health, social and financial
responsibilities; and (5) begin to learn about college preparation and
admissions procedures.
The target population will be 9th grade girls entering their freshman
year of High School; girls whose academic performance is marginal to
average and who may be economically disadvantaged. Selections will be
made from individual applicants and referrals from the School
counselors.
By
participating in programs with peers in their age group, girls will
develop their own voice, opinions, and leadership skills. Program
leaders work with each girl to develop her own unique strengths and show
her how to apply that confidence at home with her family, in school with
her classmates, or in the community.
Scholarship program:
Emily
was a woman of considerable natural
ability: academically, athletically, and as a leader. But she also
benefited from another advantage: opportunity. She was raised in
a loving, two-parent household and had the opportunity to enhance her
leadership potential as a cadet at the United States Military Academy at
West Point.
These
are advantages that a lot of at-risk girls do not have. A goal of
The foundation
is to select deserving candidates and create educational opportunities
for them so that they may develop their full potential, and in turn
assist others in their communities.
To
this end
The foundation
has established the Emily J. T. Perez Foundation Scholarship for young
women.
The
first $2,000 scholarship was awarded in
2008
to Ms. Courtney Gee, currently a student at Townson University.
Courtney excelled as a student, leader, and athlete in high school and
was selected as the winner in a competitive
field of applicants. As a high school student she showed leadership
skills in peer mediation, was a member of the National Honor Society,
and was voted most valuable player and player of the year by her peers
on the volleyball team.
The
second scholarship, for $2,000, was awarded in 2009 to Ms. Jumoke
Akinola. At an early age Jumoke showed an interest in community
service. In high school she lobbied on behalf of the Sierra Club in
support of a global warming bill, served as a sign language interpreter,
and was a founding member of her high school NAACP chapter. Jumoke will
be attending the University of Maryland starting in the spring, and
plans to pursue a career in medicine.
|
