Lead #LikeAGirl is an award-winning program that serves a diverse group of young women between the ages of 11-16 and is designed to change the way that these participants think about what it means to Lead #LikeAGirl. Developed in 2016 by The B.L.O.C.K. Youth and Teen Center, this nine-month program enables participants to challenge themselves through workshops, activities, and conversations that are centered around self-esteem, healthy living and relationships, women in the media, service learning, women who wow and much more noted township Recreation Specialist Chelsea Straub. Participants who complete the nine-month commitment graduate from the program in front of family and friends, celebrating their new understanding of what it really means to Lead #LikeAGirl, she added.
The program sessions take place at The B.L.O.C.K. Youth and Teen Center monthly, Transpire provides support, education, and advocacy for area LBGTQ+ students, who can engage in discussions, plan activities, and build community with their peers. The Transpire program has been available to teens since 2020, in partnership with Plymouth-Canton PFLAG (Parents, Friends, Family) and Allies United with LGBTQ+ individuals. Workshops covering a variety of topics such as: Read Between the Lines, Safe and Inclusive Schools, and Overcoming Adversity are led by a professional and are followed by a variety of social opportunities, Straub said.
“We are incredibly grateful to receive this support for two of our very popular programs at The B.L.O.C.K. Youth and Teen Center,” said Straub. “These contributions truly have a major impact on numerous participants in our Lead #LikeAGirl and Transpire programs and on behalf of all our staff, I sincerely want to thank Masco for its continued generous support.”
The Masco Corporation is a global leader in the design, manufacture and distribution of branded home improvement and building products and operates 30 manufacturing facilities in North America in other parts of the world.
“The grant is part of Masco's Million Differences campaign, an initiative in which Masco, through its business units, has cumulatively made $5 million in cash donations over the last five years to nonprofit organizations that support diversity, equity and more includes practices across the country,” said Susan Sabo, Masco director of communications and corporate giving.
“The B.L.O.C.K.'s Lead #LikeAGirl and Transpire programs were nominated as the recipient of this donation because of the important mentoring opportunities they provide these young adults within the Canton community.”
The B.L.O.C.K. Youth and Teen Center, located on the third floor of the Canton Administration Building at 1150 S. Canton Center Road. For more information, visit www.cantonfun.org/146 or call (734) 398-5570.
