Happy Summer Blessings to you and your family. I hope that you are feeling safe and supported where ever you may be in this beautiful world. I wish to also acknowledge any hardship that you may be experiencing during this challenging and transformational time.
 
As we move through a growing collective examination of the systemic injustices against Black people in our society it is gut-wrenchingly clear; we have SO much work to do in ourselves, our families, our communities and the greater world. May we learn together, as a community and as a nation, how to use our personal power to respond to and support the forces of transformative change working to bring about an inclusive, anti-racist, culturally responsive, human-centered society that treats everyone with equity, respect and compassion.

Until we see an end to the race-based disparities that exist in our society, pushing people of color to the margins of our economy, educational systems, healthcare systems, justice systems and environmental security, we will affirm BLACKLIVESMATTER. We encourage you to educate, nurture and empower yourself to be an ally and an advocate for those who suffer an antiquated system that seeks to place the value of one human higher than that of another.

We have started to read, watch, listen and learn more as an organization. We understand this will be a lifetime process. Please reach out to us with your own #BLM resources and we can add it to this ongoing list. Thank You.

Thank you in advance for your continued support during these challenging and unknown times.

In Love, Gratitude & Service,
Kristen Rubis
Founder & Program Director

EXPLORE AND READ:

BLACKLIVESMATTER - Healing in Action Toolkit

YWCA of Olympia - Racial Justice

Ava Duvernay - Award winning filmmaker

Rachel Ricketts - Thought leader and outspoken champion for Black and Indigenous Womxn.

A Kids Book About Racism - by Jelani Memory

Hop Hopkins - Director of Strategic Parnterships Sierra Club


WATCH:

A collection of TED Talks on the topic of race

Dr. Robin DiAngelo discusses "white fragility"

13th - a Netflix original film by Ava DuVernay

Empowerment 4 Girls Zoom Sessions provide an opportunity for our girls to stay socially and emotionally connected during these challenging times of physical distancing. Yoga, art, talking circles and other aspects of our day-camps are included, along with at-home activities that will be directed by Kristen and other Guest Speakers. We understand that families may need financial support during this time. Thanks to generous donors, we have ample partial or full scholarships available.


90 Minute Yoga Sessions:
Wednesday 11:00 am - 12:30 pm
Cost: $25 each or $95 for four sessions

These sessions include: Introductions, talking circle, breath work, meditation, yoga class or yoga game, sound healing and a closing circle.


2-Hour Empowerment Sessions:
Fridays 12:00-2:00 pm
Cost: $50 each ~ discounts for 2 or more

These thematic sessions include: Introductions, talking circle, yoga/meditation/breath work, art/lecture, dance and closing circle. We'll take a few minutes for feedback and end the session with our Girl Power Rocks cheer!

April 17 - Self Expression
April 24- Self Responsibility
May 1 - Self Care
May 8 Self Love
May 15 Self Image
May 22 Self Accountability
May 29 Self Expression

Dine-Out 4 Girls! Enjoy find food, great company and support life-changing camp experiences for girls ages 9 to 16. Mercato Ristorante is donating 20% of their proceeds on Sunday, March 8, 11 am to 9 pm to Empowerment 4 Girls on International Women’s Day! So while you’re enjoying your meal, you can also enjoy the fact that you are helping empower girls, their families and our community. Bring a friend and see you there!
111 Market St NE, Olympia, WA 98501

Body Awareness for Empowered Choices for Girls 9-16 years.
Conscious Minds Conscious Bodies™ Day Camp
Saturday, February 29 ~ 9:30 am - 4:00 pm
 
Is your child starting to go through puberty or beginning to ask a lot of questions about their body? This One-Day Conscious Minds Conscious Bodies™ Camp will support their process by offering accurate information to navigate the changes along their path during this time. We like to encourage this to be an empowering time in their life by providing space for them to be just as they are.

During this one day camp, folx will learn about anatomy/physiology, changes that bodies go through during puberty, the menstruation cycle, a variety of menstrual products for most comfort, proper terminology about all bodies and an opportunity to learn more about their changing bodies in a safe and accepting environment.

Camp Includes: art, yoga, meditation, breathing exercises, body awareness techniques, self care tools, sound healing, dance, health lectures, talking circles, Q & A, organic snacks/lunch, cultivating community & lots of fun.

Camp Participants will also leave with new friendships, anatomy packet, handouts, organic period care products from Seventh Generation and an original CMCB™ Zine full of local and global resources!
 
Where:
The Historical Coach House
211 21st St SW
Olympia, WA 98501
 
Cost:
$100
Scholarships Available

Our incredible board member and my co-facilitator Michele Drake did an amazing job educating about the menstrual cycle in our Conscious Minds – Conscious Bodies™ one-day camp on Feb 29. The girls enjoyed learning the details of our cycles as well as making a collage of their inner female anatomy. It is such a joy and honor to hold space for these girls to learn about their changing bodies in a safe, nurturing and empowering environment. We are changing the world one girl at a time! Our week long CMCB™ Camp is July 20-24 and our fall CMCB™ One-Day Camp is October 24, 2020.

"I loved making new friends in camp!" ~KP Age 13

"I loved learning new things." ~ES Age 11

"I liked feeling comfortable when talking about puberty. It's a weird time and I felt good about being in this camp." ~ND Age 10

"I loved coming back, thanks! ~BP Age 12

Morning artwork, icebreakers, meditation, breath work and yoga was awesome in our first Empowerment 4 Girls Day Camp in Montesano! After our delicious organic lunch we had our afternoon Guest Speaker.

Thanks to Environmental Educator and President of our Empowerment 4 Girls Board, Jennifer Johnson, for supporting our Self Care Day. Her presentation:
“‘Get Out of My Hair! Toxins in Personal Care’– Learn how to read labels and choose personal care products that keep you looking and smelling good while also protecting our water! We will make an all-natural lip balm to take home and share resources to make buying decisions easier.”

The girls loves learning about more natural body products such as Alaffia, as well as, how to read labels and where chemicals are often hidden like in the word “fragrance”.

They also loved making their very own peppermint lip balm and getting great resources such as the “Pocket Guide to Safer Personal Care Products”!

Testimonials from Montesano Camp:
"It's almost the best thing ever!" VM Age 13

"I honestly loved the experience here, thanks!" ED Age 11

"The whole day was fun, but the end was best with dancing!" PW  Age 10

"I'm so glad I got to attend this camp. I love life even more now." DS Age 12

BUY TICKETS

Monday, August 12th, Self Image
Tahnee Laur & Bella Muir
We will discuss the connection between fashion and our moods. Our main focus will be to work on recognizing our true emotions in a digital world and how to best self care those feelings, reflect on our true self vs. media self, especially on having healthy boundaries with photo filters. We will decorate bandanas using fabric paint & stencils with affirmations and imagery to remind us to show love to ourselves in this moment, every moment no matter the mood.

Tuesday, August 13th, Self Love
Aly Long 10:45-11:45
We will explore Svadhaya or self inquiry from the yoga tradition and how this attunes us to knowing and expressing ourselves more freely. Our practice will include holding space for our unique self expression through asana, creating partner or group poses, dance and a guided meditation.

Shari Trnka 1:30-3:30
We will make heart garland or leis from upcycled wool scraps, cutting hearts and hand stitching the garland. While we work with our hands it’s a great opportunity to engage our hearts and share with each other about what it looks like (and feels like )to live from our hearts.

Wednesday Aug 14 Self Expression
Sue Forson 1:30-3:30
Creativity is essential to being fully alive and vibrant. Our creative process is a unique well of spirit and grace; the more we drink from it the more there is. We will create collages on shields and write a letter to our future selves and explore what happens when we let our creative muse take over

Thursday, July 15th, Self Care
Kelli Mae 10:30-11:30
Self care begins with self knowledge, and Yoga and mindfulness are the keys to learning about ourselves. We will use these practices to discover who we are, how we feel, what we like, and what we don't. A loving kindness (metta) meditation will complete our experience of attending to, accepting, and loving ourselves exactly as we we are.

Kirstin Eventyr 1:30-3:30
Together we will learn about using flower essences to support us to feel better about ourselves, boost our strengths and lean into our challenges. You will also have an opportunity to make your own flower essence and essential oil spray that you can take home with you!

Friday Aug 16th, Self Empowerment
Amazon of Olympia 1:30-3:30
Amazon of Olympia will be giving an inspirational speech on how you can tap into your own Superpowers. She also has a few fun Superhero themed things planned. Amazon of Olympia is a Superhero costumed character representing Wonder Woman.  She donates her time to various charities and local events.