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Island Girl Power is a local prevention program founded by the Ayuda Foundation that offers many activities and assistance for young girls and their families.

What makes this program different from other youth groups, such as Big Brother Big Sisters and Youth for Youth, is its focus with young girls. According to the Program Director of Island Girl Power, Juanita Blaz, IGP helps girls from age seven to 14. During these years, girls begin to transition from childhood to adolescence.

Another difference is that Island Girl Power is more of a community venue for young girls to learn from different mentors and role models. It is not just a one-to-one mentoring program for the girls.

“It is about having a larger community support the young girls,” Blaz said.

“In Island Girl Power, we like to think big. We really want to change the island. We want to change the Pacific and make it a better place for girls to grow up.” Blaz said.

IGP was created as a way to reduce the high rate of teenage pregnancy.

“ In the fifteen years I have worked with Island Girl Power, the most rewarding things would be the connection with the family and seeing the change in the volunteers I worked with,” Blaz said. “It is hard to see the change in the girls because it occurs over years working with them.”

IGP partners up with many organizations, volunteers, and have various projects that benefit the community.

“People can make a difference. There is no such thing as a bad person, just bad decisions. When you start to look at people in a positive way, it changes how people see themselves. IGP has so much positivity and people want that positivity. IGP remind people that there is good in the world.” Blaz said.

Blaz encouraged college students to see themselves as positive role models in the community.

“College is an amazing goal and a step in life. No matter how stressful it is, appreciate how they got there. If they are going to help out the community, volunteer with an open mind and an open heart.” Blaz advised.

Audrey Brown, operations manager, said that she enjoys volunteering at IGP because she learned a lot about prevention, such as suicide. She had friends who contemplated about suicide or hurt themselves before.

After attending IGP’s suicide prevention workshops and trainings, Brown was able to identify warning signs and help out her loved ones.

“ Being here made me care more about the community and realize that prevention begins with yourself,” Brown explained. “It forced me to face what I was going through in my life and taught me how to cope with it better than what used to think.”

Brown said that the girls in the clubhouse shared experiences that any little girl should not go through. Without IGP, they would not know that they have a choice. IGP helps to empower, encourage, and inspire them.

Brown is also in charge of the Island Girl Power Thrift Store, which accepts donations from the community.

In addition to prevention workshops, Eileen M. Castro, IGP’s family enrichment center coordinator and manager, explained that they provide other workshops such as self-defense and yoga.

Castro said IGP partners up with other organizations that would like to demonstrate or training with the public, especially to keep the community aware of things such as family violence, sexual assault, and how to prevent it.

IGP Clubhouse Manager Doreen Mendiola explained that she has been volunteering at IGP for over 10 years. It started with her daughter. Mendiola wanted to have her daughter do something different, make choices, and experience opportunities that she didn’t have growing up.

Although her daughter is all grown up, Mendiola continues to help other young girls learn and have fun.

The clubhouse that Mendiola manages provides activities such as arts and crafts, cooking sessions, exercises, and cultural presentations for the young girls participating.

There are two Island Girl Power locations. One is at Dededo and the other at Malesso.

For more information, visit the website, www.islandgirlpower.com. You can also contact Juanita Blaz, program director, at 688-4752 or email: islandgirlpower@671@gmail.com.