on 9.26.16 Adult leaders in the Grier Heights Community developed leadership development programs for both boys and girls. The top priority is of course the leadership development program focused on the girls within the community called “Joyful Noise”. Joyful Noise is a the leadership development program for the girls within the community who are in 7th-12th grade, who the adult leaders feel have a tremendous gift of transforming not only themselves but their families, communities, schools, and eventually the world! In the past 2 years we have only had 1 girl, Adesia Martin, this year I am extremely proud to say that we had 5 girls from Grier Park Apartments to complete and graduate from the program. Those 5 girls are: Adesia Martin(12th grade), Raven McKoy(10th grade), Aniesa Fourney (8th grade), Makiyah Gaiten (8th grade), and Beyejah Krider (7th grade). As their adult leader throughout the program. The fabulous five stepped up and challenged themselves and each other to complete each tasked given. From leadership training, service projects, planning events, and volunteering these girls have gone above and beyond!

We had other adult leaders and other female student leaders(collectively there are 15 girls in our leadership development program) from the community, participated in our annual retreat. During the retreat we reflect on personal and group growth in preparation for the upcoming year.The retreat included small group lessons, personal reflection time,one on one time with designated group leader,crafts (we created floating lanterns), and fun! For some of my girls this was their first time to experience nature, camp fires, canoeing, and just being able to say they had the opportunity to swim in a lake, which is so meaningful! I have also included pictures from graduation which took place in August.