News Archive

2009 Fundraising Breakfast

The fundraising breakfast, 'One Girl, One Voice' in May was a resounding success. Read more here. If you weren't able to come, you may still donate.

Young Women on the Move Receive Prom Dresses

KU Nursing students organized a prom dress donation program and gathered 150 prom dresses to be distributed by Young Women on the Move.

Young Women on the Move Featured at Women's Leadership Luncheon

On March 12, 2009 at its second annual Women's Leadership luncheon, the USD 500 Foundation for Excellence featured Young Women on the Move as the School District's partnering organization for empowering adolescent girls to live healthy lives and achieve their full potential. We were honored to share the spotlight with the very special guest, Ms. Pauletta Washington, an accomplished star through her own accomplishments, in addition to being married to Denzel Washington, one of Hollywood's leading men. The 200 guests attending the luncheon were particularly moved by Young Women on the Move's new video and by the personal testimony of Maria Macis, the first graduate of Young Women on the Move's program and now an aspiring music teacher at Kansas City Kansas Community College.

It's Not Too Late  to Adopt a Girl for Christmas!

Christmas is just around the corner and the girls in Young Women on the Move have been especially good this year.  They've made their lists and checked them twice in hopes that Santa will make a special visit to them at their holiday party on December 19th.  If you would like to be a special Santa to one of our 40 adolescent girls, please confirm your commitment by email or phone and we will provide specific needs, sizes and wishes for each young woman. We'll also make arrangements for pick up or delivery. 

Some items on their wish lists include: Journals, MP3 players, disposable digital cameras, books, CDs, Walmart / Kmart / Target Gift Cards, board games, jewelry, perfume, bubble bath, earmuffs, gloves, shoes, knit tops, slacks or jeans, jackets. 

Thank you in advance for your donations! Young Women on the Move: 913-744-9139, email: mbgentry@youngwomenonthemove.org

December 2008 Young Women on the Move Newsletter

Be sure to read the December 2008 edition of the Young Women on The Move newsletter.

Pilot Study Builds Resiliency

A new partnership between the social worker, principal at Wyandotte High School and staff of Young Women on the Move has resulted in creation of a pilot study to assist young women. Since February, an average of twenty-five high school girls attended Wednesday morning Advocacy Sessions to discuss issues of highest priority to the girls. These priorities were finding a job, avoiding teen pregnancy and healthy relationships, managing family relationships, depression, changing negative attitudes, improvement in communication skills and conflict resolution.

Friends of Young Women on the Move: JUMPSTART 100 Annual Campaign

Ready to help ensure that young women get the help they need, the Friends of Young Women on the Move has created the JUMPSTART 100 Annual Campaign.

By sponsoring a girl, the investment helps provide:

• Life skills and empowerment training
• Research-based health and goal-oriented curricula
• Intensive college prep and career guidance
• Field trips to universities and cultural activities
• Supplemental counseling and social services
• Development of each girl’s own portfolio
• Nutrition and cooking classes plus healthy snacks
• Fitness activities and personal health and fitness assessments
• Participation in service-learning projects and leadership activities
• Competent, caring, and faithful staff

Sponsorships are available at three levels:

• One Girl, One Year sponsorship at $1,500 for one girl
• One Girl, One Half Year Sponsorship at $750 for one girl
• One Girl, One Fourth Year at $375 for one girl

If everyone helps just one girl for one year, we know it will make a lifetime of difference. And, as always, contributions are fully tax deductible and most appreciated!

Mental Health Grant Helps to Improve Self-Concept as a Capable Female

We are proud to report that The Health Care Foundation of Greater Kansas City has awarded a $90,000 14-month grant to YWOM to continue our work focusing on the following major mental and emotional health outcomes of young women in the urban core.

1. Improve self concept as a capable female and;
2. Improve attitudes and self-efficacy to:

• deal with stressors in a nonviolent way
• pursue a positive life plan
• improve academic self-worth
• prevent and/or address issues of depression and/or suicidal thoughts

USD 500 Foundation of Excellence Features Young Women on the Move

On May 9, 2008, Young Women on the Move was pleased to be the featured girls’ organization at the Reasons to Believe Gala Dinner hosted by the USD 500 Foundation for Excellence. Provided a table by the Foundation, Young Women on the Move staff, board members, and two students, Areionna and Shantell Holmes, attended the event. The highlight of the evening was when the two girls met and received autographs from Earl Cole, winner of Survivor Fiji and former Sumner Academy of Arts and Science graduate. The foundation was originally created in 1990 to provide scholarships for student in the Kansas City Kansas Public School District. They established the Reasons to Believe program in 2002 “to generate pride and celebrate the progress being made throughout the district.” The gala attracted sponsors, corporations, and individuals from across the city. We were honored to be recognized by this great foundation.

April 2008 Young Women on the Move Newsletter

Read the April 2008 edition of the Young Women on The Move newsletter. April 2008 is our Volume 1 newsletter and includes a letter from Founder and Director Mary Beth Gentry as well as stories from some of our young women. Also, learn how you can become a Friend of Young Women on the Move and be a part of something amazing.

GoGirlGo! Open House at Central Middle School

A GoGirlGo! Open House Day with speakers and fitness activities for all the girls’ physical education classes was held on May 1 at Central Middle. Leading up to the Open House, the girls in the YWOM program participated in an 8-week program that focused on fitness and reducing risk behaviors that threaten the health and social advancement of girls ages 8-13. The Women's Sports Foundation awarded Young Women on the Move with a $5,000 GoGirlGo! Kansas City grant for the 2007-2008 academic year.