Teen girls connect with mentors at Soroptimist workshop

NORWALK — On consecutive Wednesday nights in March, 10 girls from the City of Norwalk Parks & Recreation’s volunteer Teen Alliance Program took part in Soroptimist Dream It, Be It: Career Support for Girls workshops, which aim to help girls grow to be strong, successful and happy adults.

Soroptimist International of Norwalk/Santa Fe Springs facilitated the evening sessions for secondary school-age girls, where they learned about career opportunities, setting and achieving goals, and overcoming obstacles to success.

The Dream It, Be It event took place at the Norwalk Arts & Sports Complex.

“We don’t expect that all girls will know what they want to do for the rest of their lives and we also know that plans change. The skills developed through the Dream it, Be It sessions can be applied to any goals the girls identify throughout their education and careers,” said Soroptimist mentor Laurel Lanham, Governor of Desert Coast Region. “The girls had the opportunity to speak with working women and connect with mentors.”

In addition to learning important life skills, the girls received writing journals and Dream It, Be It bracelets for participating.

Dream It, Be It joins with the long-running Live Your Dream: Education and Training Awards for Women to create the “Soroptimist Dream Programs,” which provide sustainable, measurable change for women and girls, and ensure they have access to the education and training needed to reach their full potential and live their dreams. The Live Your Dream Awards assist women by giving them the resources they need to improve their education, skills and job prospects.