Girls Empowerment Network Wins the 3rd Annual Do Gooder Games
AUSTIN, TX, May 21, 2009 — What organization did First Lady Michelle Obama raise funds for? What charity does Common support? What should a well-dressed woman wear to a gala? These were just some of the questions that came up last night at the 3rd Annual Do Gooder Games held at Buffalo Billiards on E. 6th Street. This fun but competitive event is sponsored by the Young Nonprofit Professionals Network of Austin.
Beginners luck was with “The Girls of Empowerment”, the team representing the Girls Empowerment Network (GENaustin). The final winning points came from a PSA written in five minutes with no more than 50 words. Prior to that, team members Lolis Garcia- Baab, Lora Alaniz, Rachel Ladov, Jana Collins and Tiffany Starnes, had to answer numerous questions about the philanthropic world, perform yoga while balancing books on their head, and dress team member Rachel Ladov as a glamorous gala attendee with not much more than butcher paper and tape. For their efforts, the group received a check for $500. “This money is for our girls!” said Conference Director Garcia-Baab, as the team stood on stage accepting congratulations from the audience.
“We went to this event in the spirit of ‘Rosy the Riveter’ (World War II women’s empowerment poster girl)”, said Program Manager Alaniz. “Our organization is all about teaching young girls to become strong and confident by making good choices. Our participation was motivated by that same spirit.”
The Girl Empowerment Network is an Austin-based organization that works with middle and high school aged girls. Their programs are focused on the issues of bullying, body image and being a girl, which include the after-school program clubGEN and the state-wide Girls Now! Conference and Workshops.
###
About Girls Empowerment Network
The Girls Empowerment Network (GENaustin) of Austin is a non-profit, 501(c)(3) organization. The Girls Empowerment Network fosters healthy self-esteem in girls by engaging them to explore and define their personal values and build skills that empower them with confidence and courage to make wise choices. www.genaustin.org
About Girls Now! Conference and Workshops
The Girls Now! Conference and Workshops explore the issues of Bullying, Body Image, and Being a Girl through topics such as cyber bullying, self image, dating, diversity, media literacy, parent-daughter relationships and physical health and wellness. The Girls Now! Conference is a statewide one-day seminar for girls grades 5 - 12, their parents, educators and social workers. The Conference brings together nationally recognized experts and community organizations that serve girls in order to identify, educate and offer solutions for the issues girls face. www.genaustin.org
About clubGEN
clubGEN is a research-based, peer-led after school program for middle school girls, where high school girls are trained and employed to lead a curriculum designed to prevent high risk behaviors that lead to eating disorders, teen pregnancy, and juvenile delinquency. Each month of the school year, clubGEN delves into different topics such as media literacy, body image, bullying and substance abuse. www.genaustin.org
About Young Nonprofit Professionals Network of Austin
The Young Nonprofit Professionals Network (YNPN) of Austin supports the professional growth of emerging leaders in Austin's nonprofit workforce by building community within the community and beyond, offering educational programming to promote professional development and providing access to skill-building resources. www.ynpn.org
CONTACT:
Christine Carlucci
Girls Empowerment Network (GENaustin)
(512) 841-4093
christine@genaustin.org
www.genaustin.org