Unstoppable Activist Spark Kit
Girls Spark Change Through Activism to Become Unstoppable
Girls Empowerment Network announced its one-of-a-kind girl power Spark Kit called UNSTOPPABLE ACTIVIST especially for teen and tween girls to inspire them to effectively and confidently engage in their community.
The Spark Kit is the fourth in a series of girl power activity boxes that include ways for girls to connect with girl experts and peers while learning new skills. The Spark Kit program fills the need for meaningful programming and social connections for girls in grades 6-12 during this time of social distancing.
Girl Power in a Box
Featuring a colorful journal and all the supplies for 25 hands-on activities, the UNSTOPPABLE ACTIVIST Spark Kit helps girls identify and live out their values to make the world a better place. Every page features prompts and activities that help her critically and creatively think of ways to engage with social justice issues. A sample of activities include:
Tree of Life – Drawing their “Tree of Life,” girls reflect on how their experiences shape the activist they want to become.
The 5 Whys – Girls question their “why” to discover why an issue is true, why it is happening and why it is important for them.
S.M.A.R.T. Demands – Activating their critical thinking skills, girls learn how to be a powerful advocate for the changes they want to see in the world.
How a Bill Becomes Law – Girls imagine themselves as a Texas legislator and confidently write about a bill they would like to have passed.
Radical Rest and Relaxation – Girls create a relaxing rice and lavender sachet, using aromatherapy as a coping skill and learn the importance of self-care.
What We Hear About Spark Kits
Each Spark Kit is hand-decorated by volunteers who mark them with inspiring quotes and colorful images designed to make each one a mini-work of art. Volunteers also sign up to write letters to give each girl encouragement and connection. Learn more about volunteering.
When asked what they think about previous Spark Kits, educators told us: “The girls LOVED that they were hand-decorated. It made them feel special and they were so excited to open them!”
Social Connections During a Disconnected Time
The boxes also include virtual access to girl experts and other girls their age through weekly group check-ins, workshops, and Spark Change Day on May 15. The virtual connections supporting this Spark Kit begin in February and run through the end of May.
For the first time, a translated UNSTOPPABLE ACTIVIST Spark Kit journal will be available digitally in Spanish along with girl expert, Spanish-facilitated groups.
We Build Self-Efficacy
Celebrating 25 years, we are a leader in programs and services that increase self-efficacy in girls, their belief in their ability to be unstoppable. Middle and high school girls face mental health challenges that have been compounded by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Social distancing, school closures and uncertainty have has caused girls’ lack of contact with their peers, isolation and stress. Researchers are studying the mental health effects of the pandemic on children and adolescents and finding that depression and anxiety are prevalent.
This is why our girl experts design safe, experiences that develop girls’ Six Cs – critical thinking, creativity, communication, coping skills, collaboration and confidence – and gives girls essential tools for their well-being.
Get Your UNSTOPPABLE ACTIVIST Spark Kit
UNSTOPPABLE ACTIVIST is our fourth Spark Kit in the series created in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, when the organization could not continue its in-person services for girls in Texas schools and communities. A May 2020 survey of families with school-age children revealed that families needed new, creative resources that helped girls cope with change.
See all of the Spark Kits we have created so far: LEAD WITH YOUR VOICE, BACK TO SCHOOL, SUMMER CAMP.
"UNSTOPPABLE ACTIVIST will help girls develop a critical self-awareness, gain confidence in their ability to exercise leadership, and apply key decision-making skills to generating progress on real-world issues affecting their communities,” says Vanessa Beltran, Mental Health Policy Fellow, at Girls Empowerment Network. “Girls' ability to speak up for themselves and communicate the change they wish to see will be strengthened through their engagement with this Spark Kit. Learning to advocate for themselves and their community is a practice to develop each girl’s self-efficacy and promote good mental health, building resilience in the face of challenges girls confront in their daily lives.”
UNSTOPPABLE ACTIVIST Spark Kits are sold online starting at $35 plus tax with Spirit Squad Delivery available in Austin and Houston. Deluxe Spark Kits are $50 and include fast shipping plus a limited-edition Girls Empowerment Network water bottle and t-shirt while supplies last.