Female students on Auburn's campus are given the opportunity to help guide middle and high school girls into becoming young women every day.
The Auburn University's Women's Resource Center developed a research-based mentoring program called the Young Women's Leadership Program in 2010.
Each woman involved in the program is paired with one middle school girl from Auburn Junior High School or Loachapoka High School.
'Big sisters' are required to meet with their 'little sister' at least once week for a minimum of one hour.
However, many times, students like Megan Skipper, sophomore in human development and family studies, visit with their 'littles' above the required meeting hours.
"I'll meet with her twice a week, maybe about two hours each time, and that is in addition to the time we spend together at the junior high school, with the other big and littles in the program," Skipper said.
Through activities, mentors are able to help their mentees with the everyday challenges dealing with family, friends, relationships and peer pressure.
Ashley Edwards, junior in social work, has been involved in the Young Women's Leadership Program for two years.
"The things that we teach them are things that I never knew," Edwards said. "So, I learn a lot from the curriculum, such as how to solve conflicts and how to deal with messy relationships."
While the program benefits middle school girls by helping their transition into becoming a young woman, it is also a great opportunity for Auburn's college students to grow.
"I have been involved with this a whole semester now, and I've already seen a few changes in myself, in my leadership abilities and how I talk to people," Skipper said. "Also, the friendships that you make are just incredible and long lasting."
According to Edwards, the program is beneficial to the community as a whole because it provides outreach to at-risk adolescents, virtually at no cost.
"Another thing you wouldn't expect to gain by being involved in this program is an awesome support group of people who attend Auburn too," Skipper said.
Many of the college students already involved in the program hope to continue with it in the future.
The Young Women's Leadership Program also allows graduate assistants to engage in the program.
"I would love to still be an instrumental part of this program," Skipper said. "If that were in the plans and worked out for me, I would love to continue my involvement with the program."
To read more about the Young Women's Leadership Program visit ThePlainsman.com.
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