With a $1,000 grant from the Northwest Minnesota Women's Fund, a select group of Century Middle School girls participated in a weekly support group. Jo Hartwig, Children's Advocate from the Headwaters Intervention Center, guided the safe, informal gathering that allowed the girls a place to talk about a variety of topics affecting them.

Over the school year the girls talked about risky behaviors, peer pressure, bullying, respect/self esteem, resolving conflicts and dating violence. They also had fun creating beautiful journals, baking, playing games, and watching educational videos aimed at helping them to build self confidence and learn life skills.

A Christmas outing for complimentary manicures boosted their spirits and produced big smiles. At the end of the school year one group was treated to a pizza party. Another group went for a picnic at Itasca State Park. The girls all showed off their creative sides by decorating a pair of sandals.
Weekly activities with a caring adult mentor gave each girl something to look forward to.

Through the generosity of supporters of the Women's Fund, a component fund of the Northwest Minnesota Foundation, at risk girls were given an opportunity to improve the quality of their lives.

Each May "Women as Resources" Grants are made by distributing earnings from the Women's Fund endowment for projects and programs that serve women and girls in the northwest Minnesota region.

For more information about the Northwest Minnesota Women's Fund and its work, call the NMF office at 800-659-7859 or go to www.nwmf.org/wfund.php

The Northwest Minnesota Foundation is a public charitable community foundation that invests resources, creates opportunities and promotes philanthropy to make the region a better place to live and work.