Bowling - Thanks again to A Sporting Chance, GEM's participated in a 1 day bowling tournament.

GEM's paired the Jewels graduation with our Bi-Annual Girl Talk event, the theme for the event was Future Matters. Vendors related to education, military and career readiness attended, two speakers spoke a message of inspiration and hope to the girls, and the JEWELS ceremony was conducted to honor the girls for their hard work and dedication over the last few months.

Thanks to our partner, I POUR LIFE, GEM's had the day of a lifetime. They were able to get their hair/makeup professionally done, went on a shopping trip, out to dinner, and lastly to a benefit concert for I POUR LIFE. During this day, GEM's were able to meet and hear from Alyson Stoner and Dez Duron words of wisdom and inspiration.

GEM's staff team participated in a SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats) analysis. 21 GEM's staff set down together in a retreat form to discuss the future of GEM’s and vision plan on how to get there!

GEM's had their 2nd opportunity to participate in team sports through A Sporting Chance. GEM's worked hard to learn rules and expectations for volleyball and excelled during this season.

GEM's joined the Greene County Juvenile Office's RADAR (Responding Appropriately to Drug and Alcohol Referrals) and Excel Day Treatment to host a Family Fun Night with dinner, Halloween costume contest and games!

Thanks to James River Church, GEM's were able to attend a 3 day conference supporting and increasing their faith, spiritual awareness and hope in themselves. The theme of the event was "CELEBRATE." GEM's enjoyed dinner, music and great speakers.

Stop & Go Interactive explores alternative solutions to serious community issues, to increase empathy and decrease aggression through applied drama. GEM's attend a live presentation on bullying and domestic violence at our local library.

Their mission is Utilize the free services provided by On Angels' Wings to capture the fleeting moments you have when faced with the possibility of child loss. Engrave those moments in pictures -- and on your heart -- forever. GEM's hosted a table at their 1st Annual Making Memories Carnival. Our table created "pet rocks" for the children present at the event.

Their mission is thinking globally, acting locally to provide resources for children and their families. GEM's youth and staff volunteered and organized a storage area and did landscaping.

In collaboration with Greene County Juvenile Office’s RADAR (Responding Appropriately to Drug and Alcohol Referrals), we teamed up to host a Dodgeball tournament. There was a speaker present talking about her life and challenges presented to her due to substance use and how to overcome.

To honor and congratulate the hard work and dedication of our JEWELS group members. We provided dinner, summer fun activities and the JEWELS graduation ceremony. Our first 4 GEM's graduated on this date.

The mission of LifeHouse Crisis Maternity Home is to protect the unborn and their mothers in crisis situations by providing food, shelter, advocacy, and education in a safe and loving environment. 

GEM's volunteered by organizing a storage shed, supply closet and weeding the garden area.

Thanks to the kindness and support from A Sporting Chance, GEM’s were able to participate in our first GEM's Sports activity. The girls came together, learned about softball, and had the ability to play on an organized team with their parents in the stand cheering!

1st Annual GEM's Event! This event was a health and well-being conference for women of all ages. We had vendors with tables set up specific to women’s health, and speakers to talk about healthy relationships, women's health and preventative care, and street smarts. We also had "action" sessions to include yoga, and a visionary art project called "Dream Boards."

The Girl Matters ® Training focuses on creating a gender responsive culture by aligning gender responsive theories with the life experiences of girls. The fundamentals of a gender responsive culture will be explored in the context of what matters to girls. The focus areas are based on findings in current research, gender responsive theory and practical experience with girls and young women. These building blocks are not meant to be all inclusive; instead, they are designed to introduce staff to the fundamentals of a gender responsive environment.

Girls on the Run ® is a 501(c)3 positive youth development program which combines an interactive curriculum and running to inspire self-respect and healthy lifestyles in pre-teen girls. Our core curriculum addresses many aspects of girls’ development – their physical, emotional, mental and social well-being. Lessons provide girls with the tools to make positive decisions and to avoid risky adolescent behaviors.

Weekly group occurring on Tuesday evenings from 4:00pm - 6:00pm. Group includes a combination of Savvy Sister Curriculum with related activities and speakers. Girls are required to attend either 6 or 12 weeks of group.

GEM’S staff accompanied six girls to the MSU Women’s Leadership Conference. Suit Yourself Boutique provided the girls with two outfits and accessories to wear for the event and keep.

The Go Girl Run was specifically designed to celebrate women, health and fitness, and ultimately support several women centered charities in the area. The Go Girl Run is here to make a BIG difference and improve the lives of women.

The video explores the under-representation of women in positions of power and influence in America, and challenges the media's limited portrayal of what it means to be a powerful woman. Check out the trailer here:

Jamie Raab accepted the role of Girl's Empowering Minds & Spirits (GEM'S) Coordinator/Probation Officer. 

After completion of an internship in Juvenile Detention from Missouri State, Jamie began her employment with the Greene County Juvenile Office in June 2010 at the Greene County Youth Academy as a part-time youth specialist. In December 2010, Jamie became a full-time youth specialist at the Evening Reporting Center. In May 2011, she became a Probation Officer. 

Beyond the duties and responsibilities of her probation officer job description, Jamie has been actively engaged and participated as the Webber's Committee Facilitator and most notably took the leadership initiative working with an internal and external team initiated, developed, and implemented Responding Appropriately to Drug Abuse Referrals (RADAR). The RADAR Team was recognized in October 2013 by the awarding of the Program Excellence Award by the Missouri Association of Counties at their Statewide Annual Meeting. 

Jamie has expressed that she is ready to begin work with the GEM'S Team to develop a plan and strategy for GEM'S.