Connector Staff
For many years, Girls, Inc. of Greater Lowell has played a huge role in mentoring and inspiring young girls to be “strong, smart and bold.” When one enters the facility, they are often greeted by the smiling face of a girl who is eager to help.
All of the programs offered at Girls, Inc. are centered toward a girl’s individual
creativity and independence, eliminating gender stereotypes which, in turn, allows girls to truly express themselves. Despite the crazy Division I season, members of the UMass Lowell women’s basketball team have been volunteering every other Friday in a clinic, teaching young girls the fundamentals to play basketball.
These sessions not only help expose the girls to a sport in a fun, engaging way, but also allow young girls to establish great role models and mentors. “It’s funny. The minute they [the basketball team] walk in the door it’s like celebrities.” Said Program Coordinator Kate Adams. “They’re [the girls] in awe.”
This is the second year the program has taken place and it appears to be quite a
success. In addition to the growing number of girls that participate in the program, the number of members of the women’s basketball team who participate has risen as well. Originally, the program consisted of activities that were based off of warmups that the UMass Lowell women’s basketball team would do. As the program evolves, it now consists of little stations or “choices” which teach more fundamentals in addition to workouts. With a wide age group, ranging from five to 12 years old, the program accommodates everyone’s abilities, which attributes to its success and admiration among the girls.
As of right now, Girls, Inc. of Greater Lowell does not offer any basketball in the curriculum, so the girls, especially those who play basketball, have had a great response to the program and the “celebrity” volunteers. Program
“The girls have responded wonderfully,” said specialist Joan Bejaniance. “Obviously it’s kind of cool because there are some girls here at Girls, Inc. that do play basketball and, you know, they do want to be playing basketball in their future, or that’s their dream and passion, and it’s kind of cool because I can see in their faces when the girls come in they look up to these basketball players, they really do, and each week they’re getting excited.”
Members of UMass Lowell women’s basketball team, including Asia Mitchell-Owens, Brianna Rudolph and Lindsey Doucette, have taken the time to volunteer at Girls, Inc. of Greater Lowell, inspiring many young girls through their volunteer work. They have introduced basketball to many as well as enriched the dreams of those who desire to continue their passion for the sport into their future.
