Los Angeles was an incredible way to kick off Millennial Trains Project. Our first full morning was packed with speakers that challenged our group to make a difference with our unique styles and missions. A few quotes below but check out the #MTPTrain on Twitter for the conversation.
If not us, then who? –Halleemah Nash, Legacy Venture Consulting
A nerd’s gotta do what a nerd’s gotta do. – Craig Newmark, Craigslist and Craigconnects
Don’t talk to mainstream audiences. It is way more fun to talk to the extremes. –Scott Paterson, IDEO
At the end of our morning sessions I left the Ace Hotel headed to Cole’s to meet with Molly, executive director at Girls on the Run Los Angeles. With a hello and a hug we walked into Cole’s. I knew right away this would be like talking with a friend. I began to ask Molly questions about how she became involved in Girls on the Run and how the program makes a difference in her community. We both agreed the lessons are far beyond what girls need to know, but adults alike. But the greatest insight she provided was how participants can respond to the program in many different ways. The way a girl lives, her community and what concerns she deals with will dictate what lessons she responds too. Los Angeles is a sprawling city and the communities are diverse. From there we talked a bit more about our families and another theme arose: the topic of mothers and daughters and the importance of a woman’s role in the development of a young girl.
So, in a situation with varying communities and lifestyles, how do we educate our volunteers and prepare our coaches to facilitate to the best of their ability for their audience? How do we translate the essential values of our programming across the spectrum of young girls? How do we educate our mothers to be a reinforcement of these values?
Eventually we finished our French Dip and wrapped up our time together. I left with an energy to learn and gratitude for this wonderful friend in GOTR. After a quick stop at Verve Coffee (um so cool!) I headed to the office of Step Up to meet with teen programs coordinator Raven.
We got straight to talking about the organization. She spoke with passion and a deep appreciation for the work. To me, the greatest aspect of Step Up is the two-fold mission to provide a networking space for women and to provide effective programming with education and opportunity for young girls. There is a cycle of positive growth in the organization, transforming young women and creating lasting change.
After our LA day we headed to Union Station and departed on the train to begin our cross-country journey. We worked with speakers and small groups throughout the next day. The discussions, ideas and thoughts are difficult to process and hardly possible for me to explain right now. But just know my notebook is filled with scribbling inspiration.
We made it to San Antonio and hopped on a bus to get to Austin. Will update again in the next two days!
So, in a situation with varying communities and lifestyles, how do we educate our volunteers and prepare our coaches to facilitate to the best of their ability for their audience? How do we translate the essential values of our programming across the spectrum of young girls? How do we educate our mothers to be a reinforcement of these values?
Eventually we finished our French Dip and wrapped up our time together. I left with an energy to learn and gratitude for this wonderful friend in GOTR. After a quick stop at Verve Coffee (um so cool!) I headed to the office of Step Up to meet with teen programs coordinator Raven.
We got straight to talking about the organization. She spoke with passion and a deep appreciation for the work. To me, the greatest aspect of Step Up is the two-fold mission to provide a networking space for women and to provide effective programming with education and opportunity for young girls. There is a cycle of positive growth in the organization, transforming young women and creating lasting change.
After our LA day we headed to Union Station and departed on the train to begin our cross-country journey. We worked with speakers and small groups throughout the next day. The discussions, ideas and thoughts are difficult to process and hardly possible for me to explain right now. But just know my notebook is filled with scribbling inspiration.
We made it to San Antonio and hopped on a bus to get to Austin. Will update again in the next two days!