8:30 am: Beep! Beep!

Serissa’s day begins when an AFG staff member picks her up from her house. With your support, we’re able to provide transportation to and from the camp for all 50 campers!

Once in the van, Serissa is

A Newsletter for Supporters of Alternatives For Girls Powerful Alternatives SU

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Serissa’s Diary,Pages 1 & 2

Silvia’s Journey,Pages 1 & 3

Briefing Room,Page 4

For years, Silvia faced homelessness. She bounced between shelters, and couch surfed in between.

Now, as a member of AFG’s New Choices program, a unique program that sup-ports victims of human trafficking and helps women

excitement as the girls talk

AFG’s Crisis Resource Center that same day. She was able to take a shower, get a change of clothes, and learn about the New Choices program.

She started to attend New Choices’ weekly work-shops, and started to ad-dress some of the road-blocks she was facing.

See Serissa’s Diary, continued on page 2

In Serissa’s Rise N’ Shine diary, below, you’ll get a behind the scenes look at AFG’s summer camp and all of the fun, learning, and excitement that happened each day - because of you!

greeted by her friends. They sing along to music on the radio on their way to camp.

9:00 am: Breakfast

After signing in for the day, Serissa joins her group for breakfast. The room bubbles over with

BECAUSE OF YOU - This summer, 50 girls stayed safe, had fun, and learned!

exit sex work, Silvia recalls her journey from homeless to home.

She first heard of AFG a year and a half ago, from a friend who was staying in the same shelter she was.

Curious, Silvia visited

After being homeless for years, Silvia found the support she needed and is now living in her own apartment.

Thanks to YOUR kindness:

See Silvia’s Journey, continued on page 3

From Homeless to Home: Silvia’s Long Journey

Thanks to your support, the Rise N’ Shine

campers stayed safe, learned new things, and

had fun, all summer long!

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day is the STEAM workshop which stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math. One of Serissa’s favorite activities in the workshop was making her own rocket ship.

“We made rockets out of paper and paint,” Serrisa shares. “Then we launched them out of a tube and learned about different parts of the launcher!”

1:30 pm: Bike ClubMy favorite workshop!

The final workshop is Seris-sa’s favorite, Bike Club, which is facilitated by Back Alley Bikes.

“We learned how to find a bike that fits our body, and how to change a tire if it is flat,” explains Serissa. The campers also learn about bike safety and go on bike

about what the day has in store.

10:00 am: African Dance

Today, the first workshop is African dance, which is being facilitated by Heritage Works.

“We are learning the beat for the dance we are going to learn!” Serissa explains. The campers spend the hour clapping and stomping along to the beat of the drum. They giggle as they memorize the pattern of the beat.

11:40 am: Lunch

“I like that we eat different foods every day!” Serissa shares. After eating a health-ful meal and hanging out with friends, the campers get ready for the next workshop.

12:20 pm: STEAM

The next workshop of the

Serissa’s Diary, continued from page 1

rides together to visit local businesses and gardens!

3:00 pm: Time to go home!

“My favorite part of Rise N’ Shine are the different people you get to meet,” Serissa reflects at the end of another exciting day. She joins her friends and they talk about the memories they’ve made that day as they run to catch the van to go home.

You make this all possible!

Thank you for helping 50 girls enjoy a summer they’ll never forget!

It’s because of you that at the end of each day the

Rise N’ Shine campers went home with smiles on

their faces. Thank you!

A new start. Positive alternatives. Because of you.

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Silvia’s Journey, continued from page 1

For the last few months, Sew Great Detroit (SGD) has been training for the Detroit Marathon 5K. They have learned warm up exercises, set step goals for themselves, and have been tracking their water intake. “I wanted to challenge myself to see if I could do it,” says Darzell.

“My favorite part of training has been taking my walks. I like the things I get to see when I’m outside!” says Sharon, pictured above on the left, who participated in the 5K last year. Darzell agrees, “The air is fresher in the morning! Stepping out to see the sun come up is a real pleasure.”

Are you considering partici-pating in the marathon this

Sew Great Detroit prepares for the Detroit Marathon!

year? Take Sharon’s advice, “You can start something new or different for your body and your life!”

Join SGD and Alternatives For Girls in the marathon! You can also choose to fundraise for Alternatives For Girls this year. To join the team, select Alternatives For Girls as your charity of choice when you register for the marathon.

Because of your support, Silvia was able to get a new i.d. and pay some old bills that were stopping her from renting an apartment.

With the past behind her, Silvia moved into her new apartment at the end of May. “I had to ask someone to

pinch me to see if it was real!” she recalls.

“I never gave up!” Silvia smiles.

Because of you, hundreds of girls and women have a place to turn when they need it most. Thank you!

A new start. Positive alternatives. Because of you. Mission:Alternatives For Girls’ mission is to help homeless and high-risk girls and young women avoid violence, teen pregnancy and exploitation, and help them to explore and access the support, resources and opportunities necessary to be safe, to grow strong and to make positive choices in their lives.

Board of Directors:Linda Ross, Chair (Trinity Health)Christine Moore, Vice Chair (Comerica Bank)D’Anne Carpenter, Secretary (Trinity Health)Laurie Horvath, Treasurer (Baker Tilly)Kate Cherry (City Connect Detroit)Lois CohnShannica Joseph (Youth Board Member)Katherine KjolhedeRochelle Lento (Dykema)Ann NicholsonCarolyn Normandin (ADL Michigan)Pam RodgersChristine Stesney-RidenourNu TranSammye Van Diver Stefanie Worth (Mosaic Youth Theatre Detroit)

CEO:Amanda (Amy) Good

Departments:

Shelter and Transition to Independent Living: AFG’s Shelter Program provides a stable home, counseling, and life skills training to homeless young women age 15-21 and their children. The goal is to empower them to lead productive and fulfilling lives.

Outreach and Education Services: AFG’s Outreach Program helps teens and women engaged in high-risk activities, such as sex work, drug use, and gang involvement, to understand the risks of such activities and transition to safe choices and healthy lives.

Community Based Prevention: AFG’s Prevention Program serves girls ages 4-18 who are at risk of pregnancy, gang involvement, abusing drugs or alcohol and school truancy. We engage them through after-school programs, a teen leadership program, and a summer camp.Powerful Alternatives is a publication of Alternatives For Girls

Alexandria Armstrong, Editor903 W. Grand Blvd., Detroit, MI 48208Phone: (313) 361-4000Crisis Line: 888-AFG-3919www.AlternativesForGirls.orgamarmstrong@alternativesforgirls.org

Leave a Legacy

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BRIEFING ROOM

903 West Grand BoulevardDetroit, MI 48208

Phone: 313-361-4000Fax: 313-361-8938Crisis Line: 888-AFG-3919

www.AlternativesForGirls.org

Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube: Search “Alternatives For Girls”

At AFG we respect everyone whocomes to us for help – as they work towards a brighter future. So, while their stories are true, names and images may have been changed to protect their privacy. Thank you for understanding.

Positive Choices, Powerful Lives Event

Who is your Role Model?

ment to the Metro Detroit community.

You are invited to recognize an extraordinary woman who you think would make an ex-cellent AFG Role Model. To submit a nomination, visit:

www.Alternativesforgirls.org/role-model-nomina-tion-form/

We are now accept-ing nominations for the 2019 Role Model Awards.

Each year, two or more women are honored with awards at AFG’s Role Model Dinner for

their accomplishments and demonstrated commit-

Role Model Awardee, Linda Taliaferro, accepts

her award at the 2019 Role Model Dinner.

Photo: Jenna Belevender

Help select Alternatives For Girls’ 2019 Role Models!

You are invited to join us at our Positive Choices, Powerful Lives event! During the event, you will learn about AFG’s his-tory and programs, hear from some of the young women AFG serves, and learn ways to get involved. There is no charge to attend, though you will be invited to support AFG’s programs. Valet parking, hors d’oeuvres, and drinks will be provided. Space is limited. For more information, or to RSVP, contact Taylor Gawlik at tgawlik@alternativesforgirls.org.

Wednesday, September 18th, 2019The Corner Ballpark presented by Adient

Registration: 5:30 pmProgram: 6:00 - 7:00 pm

Many people like to leave a gift to Alterna-tives For Girls in their will. If you would like more information on how to include a gift in your will, please check the box on the enclosed reply envelope.

For all you do, thank you.