The YWCA Ames-ISU coordinates and sponsors a variety of activities for ISU students and the community. G.I.R.LS Power is an important mentoring program in which ISU female students volunteer as year-long academic mentors for sixth and seventh grade girls at Ames Middle School and Nevada Middle School.

Bi-weekly large group meetings promote the five G.I.R.LS Power focus areas.

Those five areas are: community service, leadership development, career exploration, diversity and fun.

For instance, the Nevada group recently went trick-or-treating for nonperishable items and then promptly donated the items to the Nevada Community Cupboard. Upcoming meetings for the group include a career day, exploring food and dance from different cultures and attending an ISU women’s basketball game.

Through this program, young girls are exposed to the ISU campus, students, faculty and events introducing them to opportunities beyond their high school diplomas.

Many girls in this program will be first generation college students, so providing them with a close-up look at further education is an important aspect of the program.

As positive role models, the ISU mentors develop leadership skills and build their resumes with rewarding volunteer experience.

As a program of the YWCA Ames-ISU, G.I.R.LS Power helps both college women and young girls work toward our mission of eliminating racism and empowering women.

I urge you to support the YWCA in becoming a GSB student-funded office!

Sadie Howar

G.I.R.LS Power coordinator

Sophomore

Graphic design