Tips for Teens in a Bad Relationship
April 17, 2009
If you or a friend is dealing with a violent or unhealthy relationship, you are not alone. A bad relationship can happen to anyone. For starters, I’m glad you’re open to getting help. Just by getting this far, you’ve taken a big step. Most importantly, I want you to know you are valuable, worthy, and beautiful.
A few of my friends want to share some tips of their own. Watch this video to see what they have to say. Then, read the other info we have at Girls With Dreams about dating violence.
Teen Reactions to Rihanna and Chris Brown
April 15, 2009
Recent headlines about Rihanna and Chris Brown remind us all of the prevalence of dating violence. I wanted to find out what teens think about the couple. Most of the feedback I’ve heard suggests that Rihanna should’ve done more to stand up for herself. Many girls said things such as, “it was her fault” or “she should have left” or “she shouldn’t have gone back to him”. Here are a few thoughts our Girls With Dreams team shared.
Watch for more tips on dating violence and read some of our earlier posts here.
Resources in The Powder Box Secrets
June 9, 2008
Want to learn more about the topics discussed in The Powder Box Secrets? Here are all of the resources listed in each chapter. After exploring each site, let us know which ones were the most helpful or eye-opening to you and why.
http://www.ewg.org/reports/skindeep/
The Environmental Working Group shares news about the safety of common beauty products.
www.edap.org
The National Eating Disorders Association is dedicated to expanding public understanding and prevention of eating disorders and promoting access to quality treatment for those affected.
www.breakthecycle.org
This site is dedicated to raising awareness about the cycle of domestic violence.
www.girlswithdreams.com
Read stories, find resources, and talk to other girls about dating and relationships.
www.loveisnotabuse.com
This site provides information about teen dating violence.
www.loveisrespect.org
The National Teen Dating Abuse Helpline offers support and information to help understand dating abuse.
www.ndvh.org/help/teen-help.html
The National Domestic Violence Hotline
www.safeyouth.org/scripts/teens/dating.asp
The National Youth Violence Prevention Center
www.seeitandstopit.org
This site is dedicated to stopping violence in relationships.
www.teenrelationships.org
This site for teens and by teens provides information about relationships.
www.uhavetheright.net
This site offers dating violence information.
www.womenslaw.org/teens.htm
This site includes general and legal information about teen dating violence.
GAY AND LESBIAN RESOURCES
Wendy L. Sheppard, MSW, a contributor to this chapter, is a professional life coach and therapist specializing in the lesbian community and women with eating disorders. She has been featured as a parenting expert on TLC’s series Surviving Motherhood. She lives with her son, her partner, and their dog in a suburb of Philadelphia. Ms. Sheppard can be contacted by e-mail at wlsheppard@verizon.net. She welcomes questions from parents and teenagers who are struggling with their sexuality.
www.AdvocatesForYouth.org
This site has a section dedicated to LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender/transsexual/two-spirited, queer/questioning) youth as well as information for parents.
www.GayTeens.org
This site provides support and information for young people and their families, and for those who are unsure of their sexuality.
www.OutProud.org
This is the site of the National Coalition for gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender youth.
www.PFLAG.org
This is the site for Parents, Families, and Friends of Lesbians and Gays with local chapters nationwide.
www.WeAreFamilyToo.net
Read and submit your stories here.
CHAPTER 3: BEST FRIENDS OR WORST ENEMIES?
www.cyberbullyhelp.com
This site provides resources about cyberbullying.
www.cyberbully.org
This site shares resources to promote safe use of the Internet.
www.cybertipline.com
This site handles leads from individuals reporting the sexual exploitation of children.
www.girlswithdreams.com
This site provides a forum for meeting new friends from all over the world.
www.ryanpatrickhalligan.org
This site is in memory of Ryan Patrick Halligan, a young man who lost his life because of bullying.
www.safeyouth.org
This site is a central source of information on violence prevention and intervention.
CHAPTER 4: FUNKY FAMILY STUFF
www.childhelpusa.org
This site is dedicated to meeting the physical, emotional, educational and spiritual needs of abused and neglected children. You can also call (800) 4-A-CHILD.
www.rainn.org
This site is the rape, abuse, and incest national network. You can also call (800) 656-HOPE.
National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-SAFE (7233)
CHAPTER 5: DEALING WITH SCHOOL, NOW AND BEYOND
HOMESCHOOLING
www.nhen.org
The National Home School Education Network
LEARNING DISABILITIES
www.ldaamerica.org
Learning Disabilities Association of America is a national organization of parents, professionals, and individuals with learning disabilities that promotes advocacy, education, and research into the causes of learning disabilities.
www.ldonline.org
Learning Disabilities Online is a leading site on learning disabilities, learning disorders, and their differences.
www.ncld.org
The National Center for Learning Disabilities provides essential information to parents, professionals, and individuals with learning disabilities.
DROPPING OUT
www.cetweb.org
The Center for Employment Training is one of the country’s largest and most effective educational and employment training programs.
http://jobcorps.dol.gov/about.htm
Job Corps is a no-cost education and vocational training program administered by the U.S. Department of Labor that helps people ages 16 to 24 get better jobs, make more money, and take control of their lives.
www.youthbuild.org
In YouthBuild USA programs, low-income people ages 16 to 24 work toward their GED or high school diploma, learn job skills and serve their communities by building affordable housing and transforming their own lives and roles in society.
www.4troubledteens.com/failing-school.html
This organization works with teens and their parents to find a solution to dropping out.
COLLEGE
www.campustours.com
This site compiles the virtual tours for campuses around the United States.
www.collegeboard.com
This site offers online SAT registration and other college information.
www.collegenet.com
This guide to colleges, universities, and graduate programs provides information on college admissions, links to academic resources, and online applications.
www.commonapp.org
This site leads you to the recommended admission form for 298 undergraduate programs at selective colleges and universities.
www.finaid.org
This site offers financial aid information about college.
www.princetonreview.com
This site explores schools and careers, prepares you for standardized tests and entrance exams, and researches scholarships and financial aid options and more.
FINDING YOUR STRENGTHS
www.accelerated-learning.net
Take a free quiz at this site to see which of Howard Gardner’s multiple intelligences are most like you.
www.girlswithdreams.com
Need we say more? This amazing site is what we’re all about!
www.kolbe.com
Discover your natural abilities and instinctive talents with the online quiz at this site.
MONEY
www.richdadpoordad.com
This site founded by Robert T. Kiyosaki is a great resource about money.
CHAPTER 6: HANDLING THE TOUGH STUFF
DEPRESSION AND SUICIDE
www.afsp.org
The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
www.helpguide.org/mental/depression_teen.htm
This is a nonprofit resource with information about depression.
www.kuto.org
Kids under Twenty-One is a nonprofit agency helping kids deal with depression, anxiety and loneliness.
www.yellowribbon.org
The International Suicide Prevention Program
Suicide Hotline: (800) 273-TALK (8255)
DRUGS AND ALCOHOL
www.al-anon.alateen.org
This site offers hope and help to families and friends of alcoholics.
www.checkyourself.com
This site allows you to check to see where you are with drugs and alcohol.
www.freevibe.com
Explore a teen’s approach to drugs, alcohol, and the medi
www.sadd.com
Students Against Drunk Driving
BODY IMAGE AND EATING DISORDERS
www.edap.org
This site is dedicated to expanding public understanding, preventing eating disorders and promoting access to quality treatment for those affected.
DATING VIOLENCE AND SEXUAL ABUSE
www.childhelpusa.org
This site is dedicated to meeting the physical, emotional, educational and spiritual needs of abused and neglected children. You can also call (800) 4-A-CHILD.
www.preventchildabuse.org
Prevent Child Abuse America was established to build a nationwide commitment to preventing all forms of child abuse. You can also call (312) 663-3520.
www.rainn.org
This site is the rape, abuse, and incest national network. You can also call (800) 656-HOPE.
National Domestic Violence Hotline: (800) 799-SAFE (7233)
www.teenpregnancy.org
This nonprofit organization offers statistics on adolescent pregnancy, poll results, and analyses of factors affecting teenage sexual behavior.
SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASES
National STD Hotline: (800) 227-8922
SELF-HARMING BEHAVIORS
www.selfinjury.com
Self.Abuse.Finally.Ends offers resources and information for self-injurers. You can also call (800) DONT-CUT (366-8288).
GRIEF AND LOSS
www.cancercare.org
This site offers professional support for people affected by cancer.
www.grievingchild.org
The Dougy Center for Grieving Children provides support in a safe place where children, teens and their families grieving a death can learn to cope.
www.kidskonnected.org
This site offers friendship, understanding, education, and support for children who have a parent with cancer or who have lost a parent to cancer.
Girls With Dreams Joins Confidence Coalition To Build Self Esteem
November 20, 2009
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:Heidi Roy
Kappa Delta Sorority National Headquarters
Phone: (901) 748-1897, ext. 216
E-Mail: confidencecoalition@kappadelta.org
Melanie Schild
Kappa Delta Sorority National Headquarters
Phone: (901) 748-1897, ext. 217
E-Mail: confidencecoalition@kappadelta.org
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Confidence Coalition Continues to Build Self-Esteem among Women and Girls
Memphis, TN – The Confidence Coalition is pleased to announce several new partners joining the national movement to bring awareness to the issues that affect the self-confidence of women and girls and empower them to become more confident. The most recent confidence builders participating with the coalition include the Ophelia Project, the White House Project, Soroptimist, Operation Beautiful, Girls With Dreams, bizMe.biz, Girls Living Life On Purpose, Inc. and Girls Leadership Institute.
“We are thrilled to welcome such incredible groups to the Confidence Coalition,” said Melanie Schild, Executive Director of Kappa Delta Sorority, the founder of the initiative. “They are all doing such great things to promote confidence in girls and women. By banding together, we are creating a movement that will have a huge impact on our culture.”
The Ophelia Project serves youth and adults who are affected by relational and other non-physical forms of aggression by providing them with a unique combination of tools, strategies and solutions. Recognizing the harmful effects of peer aggression, The Ophelia Project is committed to creating safe social climates in our communities.
The White House Project aims to advance women’s leadership in all communities and sectors—up to the U.S. presidency—by filling the leadership pipeline with a richly diverse, critical mass of women. By providing research, training, events and awareness campaigns, the White House Project gives women the confidence and the skills to run and win, demystifying the political process and inspiring a richly diverse group of women in to the leadership pipeline.
Soroptimist, an international volunteer women’s organization, offers programs that improve the lives of women through three distinct platforms: economic empowerment, elimination of violence, and gender equality.
Operation Beautiful encourages girls and women to post anonymous notes in public places, such as the bathroom, the gym scale, and even the grocery store. The messages, which include variations on “You are beautiful, inside and out!,” encourage others to have a positive self-image and stop degrading Fat Talk. The message behind Operation Beautiful is simple and powerful – you are enough, just the way you are.
GirlsWithDreams.com, is a social networking site powered by teens that provides support, advice, and tips on the issues girls struggle with most. Founder Carrie Silver-Stock wants to create a global movement where girls discover their power, passion, and big dreams.
Another company committed to promoting confidence is bizMe.biz, an online magazine, serving as the young professional woman’s career coach – her guide and mentor as she gains her career savvy, budgets her paycheck, and acquires her lifestyle. The magazine includes real-world advice from experts who share their career knowledge and wisdom, giving the bizgal that competitive confidence in the workplace.
Girls Living Life On Purpose, Inc. (GLLOP) is the premier all-girl, faith-based organization dedicated solely to empowering African American and minority girls ages 12 to 17 through life-purpose coaching, character development, and abstinence education. It serves as a navigational tool to empower girls, who are often overlooked and under-served.
The Girls Leadership Institute awakens girls to the full potential of their authentic selves. They work with girls, their families, and school communities through their national camps, after- school programs and in-school resources. GLI teaches girls assertive self-expression, emotional intelligence, and conflict management skills for success in leadership and life.
These companies join other prestigious confidence builders which include Kappa Delta Sorority, Girl Scouts of the USA, Girl Talk, Girls on the Run, National Charity League, the National Domestic Abuse Hotline, Love Is Respect Teen Dating Abuse Helpline, America’s Junior Miss, Pink Magazine, Women For Hire, WomenWorking.com, Georgia O’Keeffe Museum, GirlsHealth.gov and Best Bones Forever. These organizations are collectively bringing awareness to the issues affecting girls and women by encouraging them to stand up to peer pressure and media stereotypes, say no to risky behavior and abusive relationships, and put an end to relational aggression, such as bullying–on the playground and in the office.
The Confidence Coalition is seeking like-minded organizations and companies to partner on project development, implementation, publicity efforts and funding. If you share the mission to promote confidence in women and girls, the Confidence Coalition encourages you to join the movement. To learn more information on becoming a partner of the Confidence Coalition, visit the official Web site www.confidencecoalition.org.
The Confidence Coalition is possible through the generous support of the Kappa Delta Foundation, the funding arm of Kappa Delta Sorority, and a grant from the Jerome S. and Grace H. Murray Foundation. To learn more about the Confidence Coalition, sign a pledge and download a video to share with others, visit the official Web site at www.confidencecoalition.org.
The Confidence Coalition was imagined by Kappa Delta Sorority. With nearly 210,000 members, Kappa Delta is a proven leader in promoting confidence in women and girls. Through a national partnership with Girl Scouts of the USA, Kappa Deltas work directly with girls through the uniquely ME! self-esteem program that was created by GSUSA and is sponsored by the Dove Self-Esteem Fund. Kappa Deltas also work in local communities with child abuse prevention organizations, and nationally the sorority provides support for Prevent Child Abuse America. Kappa Delta’s values, educational and leadership development programs community-service efforts, and national partnerships are focused on promoting confidence in women and girls.
