Holiday Shopping for YWTeens, December 2017

Each year in early December, the AAUW Corpus Christi (TX) Branch supports the local by sponsoring a “Holiday Shopping Spree” for the ten-to-twelve-year-old girls in the program. This shopping extravaganza provides the preteen girls with the opportunity to select five holiday gifts for family members. AAUW Branch members purchase the gift items and bring bags, tags, ribbons, paper, and tissue to assist the girls in wrapping the gifts for holiday presentation. Each girl also takes home a “goodie bag” with sweet treats made by AAUW members. Between 400 and 500 gifts are provided each year for the YWTeen girls to give to family members.

YWTeen Leadership Camp

The AAUW Corpus Christi Branch supports the summer leadership camp organized by the local YWCA for preteen girls. The YWTeen Program is designed for young girls who experience a wide range of socioeconomic problems, and the four-day summer camp provides lessons on leadership, social skills, confidence building, setting personal goals, and making smarter choices. Several members of the AAUW Community Outreach Committee present classes in jewelry making, manners, success strategies, skin care, and painting with bubbles. The classes provide an opportunity to mentor preteens, promoting self-esteem and respect. These camps are offered free for girls who are enrolled in the YWTeen Program.

Recognition to College-bound Seniors

For several years, the AAUW Corpus Christi Branch has provided $50 gifts to college-bound Moody High School senior girls in recognition of their personal achievements and college goals. The Branch teams up with Moody High School counselors to select 20 deserving girls each year. The gifts represent our support and encouragement for our future generation of female leaders.

At a presentation held on May 22, 2018, AAUW Branch member Dr. Diana Cardenas spoke to the Moody High School recipients about overcoming personal challenges to reach her educational goals. Dr. Cardenas arrived in the United States with her family when she was eight years old, and she and her family members did not speak English. During her sophomore year at Del Mar College, Dr. Cardenas proudly became an American citizen. She stated that becoming an American gave her the confidence and strength to major in English and become an English teacher. Dr. Cardenas encouraged the recipients to continue pursuing learning opportunities; engage in intellectual, civic, and political activities; and live happily with family and friends.

Dr. Diana Cardenas spoke to 20 Moody High School seniors receiving $50 gifts from the AAUW Corpus Christi Branch on May 22, 2018.