Rosie’s Girls Afterschool Returns to Winooski

By: Ada Case and Sarah Raimondi, VWW Youth Program Specialists

This fall, Vermont Works for Women returned to Winooski Middle School to run another session of Rosie’s Girls Afterschool.  

Over the course of seven weeks, Youth Program Specialists Ada and Sarah led a group of five participants through our social and emotional “Power Skills” curriculum along with hands-on STEM and trades career exploration by creating planter boxes.  

Specifically, participants created custom designs by using jigsaws, orbital sanders, wood burners, drills, impact drivers, and screws. They used their artistic skills to bring a wide range of creative planter boxes to life, including cobra snake, peach, tree stump, mushroom, and shield designs. 

Surveys indicated that all five participants experienced an increase in confidence, connection, and expanded possibilities. The positive impact of developing both technical skills and “Power Skills”—including teamwork, identifying and stepping outside of personal comfort zones, self-confidence, and self-advocacy—is apparent in quotes from participants: 

• I can do something I didn’t know I could do before
• I can do hard things 
• It made me aware of the people I have as allies 
• It made me feel confident about myself 

If you are interested in bringing Rosie’s Girls Afterschool to your school, reach out to our Youth Team at rosiesgirls@vtworksforwomen.org