OurGEMS (Our Girls Empowered through Mentoring and Services)
We make an 8 to 10-year commitment to each of our students. We recruit students in 6th grade (4th and 5th graders added this school year) and follow them through their first year in college/career (or as long as they are interested in continuing our relationship) and provide them over 200 hours of mentoring until their first year of college.
We are mentoring them on their journey---from the moment a young person enrolls as a middle school student, to the triumphant moment when she/he graduates from high school (and beyond). It is our endeavor to help students finish high school and to graduate from college ready to pursue meaningful careers.
In making that 10-year commitment to our students, we maintain a long-term outlook on our program and impact on the community. We work towards sustainability as an organization and team, investing in our development and encouraging continuous improvement.
To date:
99% and 398 of our high school seniors graduate high school on time (since the 2008 inception of our program)
2022-23 school year 45 young people (including 11 boys from the OurGents program) graduated high school.
We monitor students’ grades and hold them accountable to utilize all school resources that will help them obtain and maintain at least a 3.0 GPA.
In the 2021-2022 school year, 70% of our high school students maintained a GPA at or above a 3.0 and 30% of students had a 3.5 GPA or above. Mentors also encourage students to participate in Olympic College Running Start; to take Honors and AP courses.
Many of our graduates are attending colleges and universities around the State of Washington and this country. Schools vary widely in location (from University of Washington to San Diego) and type (from private schools, religious schools to community colleges). Many of them serve their country through active duty military (all branches).
PROGRAM TESTIMONIALS:
Former Assistant Superintendent of Bremerton School District-
“Your mentoring model is effective and changes the lives of our students. You have developed a program that promotes and prepares caring adults to MENTOR WITH A PURPOSE. I have seen numerous mentoring programs in my 30 years as an educator. I have only seen two that produce sustainable results. OurGEMS is on that very short list!”
South Kitsap Middle School Principal-
“I have noticed that many of our girls have become less in need of attention. Their confidence has grown, and they seem to like and respect who they are to a greater degree. There is far less drama with several members of the group this year. …I know that Harriette and Vicki hold them accountable for their performance in the classroom.”
Superintendent of Central Kitsap School District-
"The soft skills that students get to put into practice through GEMS contribute to much more than what is listed. The character skills that are developed through a program like this, are valuable across all content and social experiences…”
Middle School Counselor in South Kitsap School District-
"OurGEMS has made a difference in our building, and I notice that the young ladies that attend the group have a more positive outlook…I would most definitely say that the program has had a positive effect on our student’s behavior. An example of this is one of our students that has been involved with the group since last year has made a dramatic turn around with her attendance and grades. Each year the group of girls that have attended have made great gains in self-esteem, attendance and academic performance.”
Cecilia, 7th Grader-
“This program teaches me woman empowerment, to be a lady and to be respectful.”
Luna, 12th High School Graduate-
“OurGEMS program has made a big difference in my life. I am now more confident, more of a leader and look at things with even more positivity than before. It has affected everything in my life for the better. I am beyond thankful for the OurGEMS program. I look forward every week for it. This group is like another family. Thank you, Mrs. Vicki and Mrs. Harriette.”
It’s simple. We BELIEVE in them and we are RELENTLESS.