Dream It Be It at Pinelands Regional Junior High
(article taken from The Sandpaper)
When facing adversity or a transition in life, it’s normal to feel a little bit lost. A guiding light can be found in the “Dream It Be It” career support program, a girls conference and workshop held last week at Pinelands Regional Junior High School, where education and empowerment were two main themes.
The program was presented by Soroptimist International of Long Beach Island, a local club within the worldwide volunteer organization of business and professional women, providing women and girls with access to tools and resources to achieve economic empowerment. The organization believes through strong women the entire family unit is strengthened.
In the school’s media center, 16 seventh- and eighth-grade students were grouped at tables, working on vision boards to symbolize their present and future selves.
Ice-breaker questions had included: What would you do with your life if you could do anything, if money and failure were not factors? What job sounds cool? Who do you admire?
Though initially reserved or shy, after just a short time the students were opening up and chatting like old friends, according to St. Francis Community Center’s Director of Counseling Services Danielle Dunne.
“They’re generating great conversations,” according to Janel Gonzales, Pinelands’ director of School-Based Youth Services.
In the day-to-day lives of busy families, Gonzales explained, opportunities for “pointed, productive conversations” about life tend not to spontaneously arise – they must be created. The “Dream It Be It” event makes safe space and time for young people to consider big questions and ponder their goals.
“It’s important we take time to reflect on our values,” she said later to a table of participants completing a workbook exercise. In the family category, their values included love, support and communication; in the school category, teamwork and knowledge. Then they thought about the values they hold for their work and personal lives. A chart showed how their values might align with certain professions – artistic, social, enterprising.
Kathy Picarello, a Soroptimist International of LBI board member and Dream It Be It chair, coordinated the event. The workshop is designed specifically to provide career support and guidance to girls in middle and secondary school, she explained. “Through education and access to role models, the program aims to empower girls to pursue career goals and reach their full potential.”
The hands-on program teaches girls about career opportunities, setting and achieving goals, overcoming obstacles to success, and moving forward after setbacks, she said.
Plus: pizza and snacks!
The Soroptimists supplied food and drink for the daylong event. School-Based Youth Services staff referred students to the program. From St. Francis, social worker Jenna Pluard led the sessions.
“I’m so glad this came to fruition,” Picarello said. The first workshop was held in November 2020, in partnership with the Girl Scouts of the Jersey Shore at The Learning Experience in Manahawkin.
At the end of the morning session, one student admitted (on condition of anonymity) she had come just to get out of class and eat snacks, but she was pleasantly surprised by how much she was learning and enjoying the day.
The afternoon session included group activities that explored balancing stress and putting dreams in action.
Plus: swag!
Fundraising allows the club to fulfill its mission through its Live Your Dream Program, Dream It Be It workshops, Youth Service Awards, scholarships for graduating seniors and the Clothing Closet at the Pine Street Recreational Building in Manahawkin.
To help support these efforts, the Soroptimists will hold a Scholarship Soirée and Gift Auction at the Captain’s Inn in Forked River on April 29. Tickets are $65 and can be purchased by calling Cindy at 609-339-1393 or emailing harkinscynthia0@gmail.com. The night includes buffet dinner, cash bar, entertainment, gift baskets to win, 50/50, raffles and other games of chance.
— Victoria Ford
