Starting in the fall, our Pelham Together Counseling staff brought girls together in grades 5-8 to meet monthly to address a variety of topics that can cause struggles. The series began with a screening of the super popular Taylor Swift movie, which was a huge draw! The girls had a terrific time singing all the words at the Pelham Picture House, eating popcorn, and leaving with some fun goody bags.

Following the strong start, our PT Counseling staff created a series of meetings that invited girls to take part in smaller group activities in a variety of topics. The focus of the three additional meet-ups was positive social, emotional health and well-being, targeting key topics that are critical during this transitional stage of their lives. Additionally, these groups were an opportunity for the girls to forge deeper connections with their peers, fostering the potential for new friendships and a sense of belonging. Themes included creative coping skills, self-love and relationships, and savvy social media, and each meet-up included craft projects connected to the theme. By combining enjoyable activities with meaningful conversations, we set the stage for a supportive and enriching experience that resonated with the girls. Please find pictures of the crafts above.

This first series for girls was a huge success, and our PT social work staff really enjoyed crafting and talking with the girls. We intend to offer groups for separate age groups going forward (5th and 6th in one group, 7th and 8th in another), and are looking into groups for boys as well. Each group will have unique topics and activities, but the common thread will continue to be bringing young people together with supports to socialize and have fun at different life stages.