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Pre Season 2009
MRS. COTCHERY’S GIRLS CLUB IS A PROGRAM DESIGNED BY MERCEDES
Cotchery to assist young women in reaching their full potential by realizing their own self-worth, committing themselves to a healthy lifestyle and setting goals for a productive future.
This year’s program began in February at a middle school in West Orange, New Jerse
y with a small group of girls during their lunch period. During that very first meeting, Mercedes noticed that some of the girls had negative feelings toward each other. She knew she needed to pave the way for these girls to relate to one another in a more positive manner before the club, and the girls, could continue and be successful. With careful attention and honest communication, Mercedes worked with the girls to understand that their ideas and opinions of each other were a direct reflection of the themselves and in order to honor, respect and love oneself, they must also honor, love and respect each member of the group. By the end of the first session one of the girls remarked “I don’t know why, but I don’t want to leave”.
The following weeks found the girls sharing their feelings about home, families, school and friends while learning to listen and respect each other. They also discussed how to make healthy choices in their lives and how important those decisions were to their future. Mercedes found that after each session, not only did she learn more about the girls she was mentoring, but learned much about herself as well.
y with a small group of girls during their lunch period. During that very first meeting, Mercedes noticed that some of the girls had negative feelings toward each other. She knew she needed to pave the way for these girls to relate to one another in a more positive manner before the club, and the girls, could continue and be successful. With careful attention and honest communication, Mercedes worked with the girls to understand that their ideas and opinions of each other were a direct reflection of the themselves and in order to honor, respect and love oneself, they must also honor, love and respect each member of the group. By the end of the first session one of the girls remarked “I don’t know why, but I don’t want to leave”.The following weeks found the girls sharing their feelings about home, families, school and friends while learning to listen and respect each other. They also discussed how to make healthy choices in their lives and how important those decisions were to their future. Mercedes found that after each session, not only did she learn more about the girls she was mentoring, but learned much about herself as well.
The first half of the sessions dealt with personal and specific issues for each girl. The club is now moving into the second phase which has been named RESH 180. RESH stands for RAISING EXPECTATIONS STANDARDS AND HONOR. 180 refers to the turn in direction these wonderful girls’ lives are taking. During the next sessions the girls will be setting personal goals and creating action plans for achievement.
Mrs. Cotchery’s Girls Club is made possible through resources provided by The Cotchery Foundation. To follow the girls on this inspiring journey, please log onto Mercedes’ blog at cotchery.livejournal.com.
Ongoing Initiatives
S.C.O.P.E.
Summer camp sponsorships
provide children in need the
edge to succeed in life through
the summer camp experience.
All Stars Project
Offers disadvantaged youths
the opportunity to participate
in Leadership Programs and
the Arts.
Keys to Reading Success
Supports reading programs in
underachieving/underfunded
schools.
Mrs. Cotchery’s Girls Club
This program meets once a week and offers young girls the opportunity
to learn lifeskill concepts and set goals in a safe and nurturing
environment.
“There are several points in our lives when we reach a “fork in the road”. At every fork there is a decision to make. Given the right tools our youth will be equipped to “internalize” a decision made today and “visualize” its impact on their lives tomorrow.”
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