Over the past few years there’s been a major shift in bringing to light the injustices that women and girls have been experiencing for years. There are many movements such as #MeToo, #BlackGirlMagic, #BringBackOurGirls and #GirlsRock just to name a few that are working hard to keep this message alive. These movements are all about exposing some of the injustices towards women and girls and making sure they are respected and to help keep their fundamental rights in place. According to Global Fund For Women, women’s movements matter now more than ever for global women’s rights. We not only have to make sure that the voices of women and girls are heard everywhere, but we must also give them the tools to be heard.
Forgiving For Living, Inc., has been working with girls right here in our own backyard in Southern California for close to 20 years. Our mission is to empower girls through mentorship and teaching important life skills. Our Ambassador Program will hold “The 7thAnnual “Healthy, Wealthy & Wise Conference” at the Watts Willowbrook Boys & Girls Clubs in partnership with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Los Angeles on Saturday, October 6th. The purpose of the conference is to empower and provide the girls with tools and skills in the areas of making healthy, wealthy and wise choices for their lives. We believe when girls are given the knowledge and information to make wise choices they will be empowered to make decisions that can positively impact the rest of their lives.
Comerica Bank serving as the premiere sponsor along with SoCalGas, US Bank, CiT/OneWest Bank and Thrivent Financial have all come together to provide the necessary support to make sure the girls can attend at no cost. The day will consist of workshops in each of the areas of making healthy, wealthy and wise choices. Our speakers include Paula Bond, Janet Ifekwunigwe, Gloria Zamora, Myara Langley, Kerry Neal, Christina Ford, Erika Guinn and Dr. Lauren Walton. The workshop presenters will provide information around suicide prevention, vision boards, financial literacy, wellbeing and understanding boundaries in relationships. The day will conclude with a keynote message to the girls from Dr. Meghan Nicole Brewer, College and Career Counselor, Owner of Destiny College and Career Advising.
If we want to make sure today’s youth and generations to come have hope for a better and more equitable future, we must invest in them now while they are still young. The earlier we can start to plant seeds into their lives that will encourage them to make healthy, wealthy and wise choices the better their opportunity will be to come out ahead. I want to thank all of the supporters, sponsors and the Forgiving For Living Board of Directors for their commitment to making a difference in the lives of the girls we serve. In the words of Maya Angelou, A wise woman wishes to be no one’s enemy; a wise woman refuses to be anyone’s victim. When we are given the right tools we can not only make wise choices, but we can learn to rise above many obstacles and never ever stay a victim to what may have tried to bring us down.
Healing Without Hate: It’s a choice. It’s a lifestyle. Pass it on!
