POWERFUL TOGETHER
BI-WEEKLY NEWSLETTER

SEPTEMBER 24, 2020

Back to School 

Many of us are back at school and fully plugged into some level of distance or in-person learning. Maybe you’ve created a special workspace, you’ve developed a new daily routine, or you’re just figuring out ways to adapt to the new normal. It isn’t easy adjusting to this new way of learning, and you deserve a pat on the back for your hard work for prioritizing education! 
We miss in-person school! As a community, if we want to get all of our kids back in school, we must continue to slow the spread of COVID-19. Continue taking all of the precautions: wash your hands, wear a mask, stay 6ft apart from others. 
Just remember, we are all going through this. We can all get through this together. We will. We must.

Programming Announcement

Join Us Saturday, November 7, 2020, for the Annual Girls Are Powerful “Loving Me, Loving You, Loving Us” Mother – Daughter Event!
This event is designed to strengthen the relationships between mothers and daughters through empowerment activities. We will not let the turbulent waters of the COVID-19 pandemic stop this memorable and cherished annual bonding time with our girls. This year, our meeting will be held virtually and look slightly different but still navigate.

About the Event: Girls Are Powerful will mail you a special Anchoring Our Love and Strength package before the event filled with the materials and instructions needed to complete the program activities. Participants will have the opportunity to share lifelong memories and discover new things about one another.

Who Should Attend: This event is perfect for moms and caregivers, and their girls aged 7 – 17.  Registration will open on Saturday, September 26th. Visit our program page here.

After several weeks of research, deliberation, and weighing out the risks, we have decided to move our 2020 Mother-Daughter Event to a Virtual Platform. Checkout the annoucement here.

Do you know the Mask Dos and Don’ts?

  • DO wash or sanitize your hands before putting on or taking off your mask.
  • DO only touch your mask by the ear straps.
  • DO wash your mask.
  • DON’T touch the part of your mask that goes over your nose and mouth while wearing.
  • DON’T wear it like a chinstrap.
  • DON’T shame people who can’t wear them for medical reasons.

Read more about how to select, wear, and clean your mask here.

Health Workers in your Neighborhood

If you notice people walking around your neighborhood wearing colored vests and masks, then your neighborhood was probably selected to participate in a COVID-19 survey by the Minnesota Department of Health. This survey is a quick way for public health workers and emergency managers to understand the needs of a community. They may come to your door and ask if you would like a free COVID-19 test.  They will do a nasal swab or antibody test to see if you have or have had COVID-19. If you are picked for the study and choose to participate, your information will remain private. Visit here for more info.

Attention Ramsey County Residents 

Ramsey County opened five service centers with staff available to provide in-person assistance with enrollment for services like financial assistance and employment programs. The centers also have computer workstations available by reservation. Find out more at ramseycounty.us/ServiceCenters.

Your Wellbeing Matters 2.0

Power Move: Every other Tuesday, we are joined by movement specialists who lead us in 30min of movement. Shira Charis recently led a Joyful Yoga session, while Mia Wanna led a terrific session on barre and stretching this past Tuesday. Power Move is a great, free way to try a new kind of exercise and move your body while supporting our local fitness instructors! Join us for our next session via Facebook Live on the Girls Are Powerful Facebook page:

  • October 13:  African Contemporary,  Igbo Dance for Health and Fun with Korma Aguh-Stuckmayer
  • October 27:  Strength & Core Fitness Movement with Coach Chaz

Empower Hour: Last week, we held our second Empower Hour to discuss Case Investigation and Contact Tracing. Mateo Frumholtz, an epidemiologist from the Minnesota Department of Health, join us and gave us the latest information around COVID-19. In case you missed it, you can listen here.  Don’t forget to add our upcoming Empower Hour sessions to your calendar.

  • October 22: What It’s Like to be a Teen During COVID-19 
  • November 19: Aromatherapy and Resilience Connection

Tips to Reduce COVID Fatigue

Hearing about COVID-19 all the time is exhausting. Take a break from the news and social media, so you do not get too overwhelmed. Helping to rebuild a new routine can help fight stress and fatigue. Help keep up with your mental and physical wellbeing by trying to stay active and eat healthy! To kickstart that goal, join us for our bi-weekly Power Move workout sessions!

Wonder Woman Wednesday 

This past month, we’ve highlighted some incredible women on our social media pages, from a young girl fighting for clean water in Flint, MI, to firefighters risking their lives battling the wildfires on the West Coast. Still, we have to recognize the incredible work of Ruth Bader Ginsberg because, without her, we wouldn’t be where we are today. Justice Ginsberg was a supreme court judge who championed gender and racial equality every chance she got. She helped ensure that women had the right to work without facing discrimination. She fought for the right for women to be pregnant and have children and keep their job. She’s influenced our society immeasurably. We are so saddened to hear of her passing.  
VOTE Honor Ruth’s legacy by making sure your voice is heard in this upcoming election. Deadlines are coming up SUPER QUICK, so if you want to vote by mail or you want to vote early in person, sign up to do so now! Right now! Here’s how for Ramsey County residents. Here’s how if you live in other parts of Minnesota. 

Anti-Racism Resources

Talking to children about racism can be difficult, but it’s necessary! A great way to introduce them to anti-racism is through children’s books. Having honest conversations with your children about racism is critical, as many pediatric health advocates say that children begin to internalize racial bias at a very young age. Here are some of our favorite children’s books

  • Saturday by Oge Mora
  • Hair Love by Matthew A. Cherry
  • The Youngest Marcher by Cynthia Levinson
  • Resist by Veronica Chambers
  • Not My Idea: A Book About Whiteness by Anastasia Higginbotham

Are you looking for more? Here’s an article from the New York Times with a list of suggestions.

The Youth Advisory Board (YAB) has been busy! This volunteer group of girls is organizing and creating new projects that will launch this fall. YAB is readying a video series, Decode Distance Learning with Clare, to help students juggle busy schedules and navigate online material. They’re also working on Your Guide to High School, a studying resource list with helpful links. They’re also putting together a great list of art projects to complete with things you find at home. As you can see, we have lots of exciting projects coming down the pipeline that we’re looking forward to sharing with our followers!

Just Wear It

Wearing a mask to help stop the spread of COVID-19 doesn’t have to be tedious – you can make it fun! YAB has launched the Just Wear It campaign to show the different ways to rock mask-wearing. Check out their pictures on Facebook to see how they’ve coordinated their outfits with their masks and highlighted their personal styles.  Whatever you may be doing or who you are with, always remember to wear your mask! #Justwearit

Thespian Theories

YAB member Olivia has created a theatre and acting advice series entitled Thespian Theories with Olivia. You can watch her first episode here but keep an eye out for this series on GRP’s Instagram and Facebook!

Mind, Body and Soul

The Youth Advisory Board is creating a series of playlists to help individuals set the right mood and combat stress. These playlists are designed to help with meditation or studying, working out, or just to listen to while you take a walk and enjoy nature. Stay tuned for some great new music coming your way!