This Winter Jerami Grant’s Hour Generation Foundation set their focus on inspiring young girls to embrace their journey to becoming young ladies through a mentorship program called J.E.W.E.L.S, led by HGF Vice President, Beverly Grant-Holston. J.E.W.E.L.S stands for Joyful, Extraordinary, Worthy, Enthusiastic, Leaders of Service. The J.E.W.E.L.S program ignited and encouraged young girls ages 10-18 by introducing interactive and fun weekly lessons that promoted self-confidence and self-esteem. Grant-Holston, mentored the young women and encouraged all to set personal goals and focus on their future. Numerous topics were covered including; etiquette, physical hygiene and mental health, education and finances, relationships and substance abuse, planning for the future with vision boards, and being active members of the community through service.

Grant-Holston felt that there was a need in the local community, and wanted to work with young girls to give them an outlet to communicate about womanhood and encourage them to have self-esteem. As a mother of four and having an incredible mother herself, she saw the value in giving young ladies an outlet to discuss hopes, dreams, and possible fears that go along with womanhood. Many of the qualities that were built into the J.E.W.E.L.S program are qualities Grant-Holston felt needed to be valued more as women. Grant- Holston says:

‍

“There is truly a need in our community for many of the young girls. We wanted to reinforce what they are learning or what they haven’t been taught and do it in a way where they felt comfortable, cared for, and appreciated. We were careful to create an atmosphere where they felt they were not being preached to. We brought successful young women who look like them and who represent them to share stories that we thought they could relate to and do activities that would help them get in touch with who they are and recognize the woman inside. We discussed college and future, and thought to expose them to women who represent them was important so they could see that they could be and do anything they set their mind to do. We want them to know they are not limited, and the future is theirs.”

Hour Generation Foundations’ Medora Frazier led some of the program’s most beloved activities. Frazier was a perfect reflection of what it is to embody the qualities J.E.W.E.L.S focuses on. We know that representation matters and all of the young women who volunteered to act as mentors along with HGF’s very own Frazier did just that for these young ladies. The young women truly enjoyed Frazier’s activity of creating mindfulness jars.  A mindfulness jar is a powerful metaphor for being able to express feelings. The girls’ loved this activity and spent time thinking about their feelings and creatively expressing themselves. We encourage you to make your own mindfulness jars! Learn how to create your own here. The young women also loved creating vision boards to help them project their hopes, dreams, wishes of the future, and set goals. Learn how to create your own vision board here.

J.E.W.E.L.S’s impact was felt deeply among all involved. The Peppermill Community Center has had phenomenal feedback! A number of young ladies have requested that J.E.W.E.L.S be continued and become part of the regularly offered community center round up. Hour Generation Foundation is excited to continue this mentorship program and continue to touch the lives of these bright young ladies by dropping precious bits of knowledge and jewels.

‍