This Girl Scout Council ranked among 11 councils in the United States awarded a grant recipient of $95,000 from the uniquely ME! The Girl Scout/Dove Self-Esteem Program.  This program will span over a 3-year period and has been symbolically named THE INCREDIBLE POWER OF ME (TIPOM) School Transition Program as girls empower themselves with positive self-esteem and self-worth skills. 

                   
2005-2006

The INCREDIBLE POWER OF ME School Transition Program provided a nine month self-esteem program to 75 at-risk 5th grade girls in three inner-city Jackson Public Elementary Schools and two Vicksburg/Warren Elementary Schools.  Respective school faculty members identified 5th grade girls whose academic achievement and/or school attendance had been most adversely affected by dysfunctional family units, socio-economic conditions, and/or destructive self or family units as program participants.  The INCREDIBLE POWER OF ME School Transition Program instilled in every girl the critical self-esteem, positive self-worth and self sufficiency that she alone will need in order to overcome the added emotional and physical challenges of a new junior high environment.

The INCREDIBLE POWER OF ME Girl Scouts participated in two in-school meetings per month beginning in September and ending in May, 2006.  In addition to these meetings, the girls enjoyed many extra Girl Scout activities including camping, skating, and attending musical productions.

uniquely ME! self-esteem building activities were also incorporated in 2006 council sponsored events including the Leader/Daughter Appreciation Brunch, Girl Congress, the Young Women of Distinction Ceremony, and resident camp activities.

The Girl Scout/Dove Self- Esteem grant also underwrote the total expense of three 5 day inner-city Jackson day camps which taught positive life skills to 94 at-risk girls.

In total, during the 2005 – 2006 Girl Scout membership year 822 girls participated in uniquely ME! activities.

Note:  Refer to the News Section for additional information.

2006-2007  

Six Jackson Public Schools were chosen as 2006 – 2007 uniquely ME! schools. They are Smith Elementary, Brown Elementary, Van Winkle Elementary, Walton Elementary, Lake Elementary and Powell Middle School.  In total, seventy-five 5th grade girls and fifteen 8th grade girls were selected by the respective school counselors as program recipients.  As in the first year, the girls will participate in twice monthly in-school meetings, as well as, three to four extra-curricular activities.

A projected 1081 Middle Miss girls and adults will participate in seventeen uniquely ME! events and projects including eight summer day camps during the second year of grant implementation.

2007-2008   (14% program participation growth rate)

The Girl Scouts of Greater Mississippi (GSCMM) will expand THE INCREDIBLE POWER OF ME School Transition Program by one additional elementary or junior high school.  2006-2007 JPS school demographic statistics will determine which school will be selected.

The Girl Scouts of Greater Mississippi is truly proud to be a part of the Uniquely ME! The Girl Scout/Dove Self-Esteem Program.    We do make a difference in girls' lives  -  every girl, everywhere.