MIDDLEBURY — At a time when the Addison County community is reeling from the loss of a young girl, Middlebury College’s Sister-to-Sister Program is providing a safe space for middle-school girls to talk about issues that they face in their schools in a relaxed and fun environment. The group will host its 10th annual summit at Middlebury College’s Mahaney Center for the Arts On Saturday, Nov. 16, from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
This free event strives to make a positive difference by giving a voice to the needs and interests of middle-school girls. Supported by the American Association of University Women, the program brings together middle-school girls from Bristol, Middlebury and Vergennes with female Middlebury College students. At the one-day summit and in monthly follow-up events during the rest of the school year, girls develop friendships with other girls, even if they don’t go to the same school. Together, the middle-schoolers and the college students develop activities that encourage girls to try new things outside of the classroom, such as art, music, dancing, yoga and journaling.
Sister-to-Sister also focuses on discussions of such topics as “girls in the cyberworld” and “bodypositivity.” The program is supported by roughly 100 volunteers and financial sponsors including Chellis House (Middlebury College’s Women’s Resource Center), Middlebury College’s Center for Education in Action, Neat Repeats and the National Bank of Middlebury.
“Sister-to-Sister allowed me to get involved in the Middlebury community by connecting me with fellow students, faculty and staff members, volunteers and most importantly, middle-school girls,” said Grace Giles, a Middlebury College graduate who was involved with the program for three years. “Every generation represented in our sisterhood is experiencing the environment we live in through a different lens. When we communicate our perspectives, our lives become so much richer.”
All events are free. To register or organize transportation, call Karin Hanta at 443-5937 or email [email protected].