Gwen’s Girls
Title: Learning Through Community: Summer at Gwen’s Girls
Student Interns:
Sophia Torres
University of Pittsburgh School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences
Erin Zuo
University of Pittsburgh School of Public Health, Behavioral and Community Health Sciences
Academic Preceptor:
Phillip Schnarrs, PhD, MA
University of Pittsburgh School of Public Health, Behavioral and Community Health Sciences
Community Preceptor:
Maureen Anderson, EdD
Director of Education, Gwen’s Girls
Community Site:
Gwen’s Girls is a nonprofit organization that provides programs for young girls and young women to help them become self-sufficient young adults, while building a strong support system. The organization offers after-school, summer, academic, and young-adult programs that promote positive youth development. These programs support participants’ spiritual, physical, and emotional growth.
Team’s Experience:
The Bridging the Gaps interns worked hands-on with the girls at the summer camp program at Gwen’s Girls. The interns developed projects that provide engaging educational activities and resources that the organization can continue to use in the future. Their main project is a math escape room with two interactive scripts. One script uses a “Treasure Island” theme and focuses on addition and subtraction; the other uses a haunted house theme and focuses on multiplication and division. Their side project is a handout that includes recreational and educational resources for the organization.
Reflections
I learned that many young girls today struggle to find hobbies that suit their interests and desires. Gwen’s Girls does a spectacular job incorporating many different activities to introduce to the girls. It seems that many of these activities have given the girls a new interest that they can continue to learn and work on after camp.
Sophia Torres
This experience reminded me that meaningful public health impact can begin with small, everyday interactions that build confidence, foster relationships, and support long-term well-being.
Erin Zuo
