Empowering Future Leaders: GRCC and GRPS Host Girls Youth Conference in Grand Rapids

Grand Rapids Community College (GRCC) and Grand Rapids Public Schools (GRPS) have launched a program to support young female leaders. The 2024 GRPS Girls Youth Conference, a year-long event, aims to motivate middle school girls in the Grand Rapids area. Over 250 students from 10 local schools participated in monthly workshops focused on the theme 'Faith, Focus, Future.'

The conference began in October with a meeting where the girls met their facilitators. These facilitators, including advisors and teachers from their schools, helped guide the students throughout the year. The theme 'Faith, Focus, Future' was chosen to be broad, allowing each participant to interpret it personally.

The final event took place on May 1 at GRCC's Gerald R. Ford Fieldhouse. It included panel discussions with local professionals, sessions on mental health and relationships, and a communal lunch. A key feature was the presentations by students from each school, discussing their take on the conference theme and its influence on them.

The participants showed a high level of engagement and interest in topics like financial literacy and sustainable living, according to Jamillya Hardley, director of the Woodrick Center of Inclusion and Multicultural Affairs at GRCC. This engagement highlights the conference's success in providing a valuable educational experience.

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