Celebrating Women’s History Month, Locally
Celebrate Women’s History Month with Lovelace & Associates Services LLC as we lift up Raeanna Ellis, Program Coordinator for Girls First, a mentor, role model, and community activist.
A woman’s work is never done, and often gone unnoticed. Historically, women have felt more comfortable putting others – children, parents, lovers, co-workers, – before themselves and only receive their flowers after a life of endless giving.
We’re interested in celebrating women in the NOW and encourage you to do the same.
And what better time than Women’s History Month?
We could easily look back into American, African, & European History and find the blueprint of how women have brilliantly been of service since the beginning of time.
OR we could look right inside our own families and communities.
Change starts close and ripples out. Which is why we want to inform you of the history being made and the futures being activated right in Norristown, Pennsylvania by our very own Raeanna Ellis.
Raeanna Ellis
Ms. Ellis entered Seton Hall University in South Orange, New Jersey in 2008 with a degree in Psychology as the goal. Instead, she ended up gravitating more towards Criminal Justice and Social Work.
While her interest in Psychology never left, she wanted to be able to directly affect the lives of any future children she would work with. As a result, her first passion was born; becoming a child advocate lawyer to bring justice to underrepresented children.
Upon graduating in 2012 with a dual BA in both Social Work and Criminal Justice, she sought a job to support her while navigating the difficult task of preparing and applying to law school.
Her first job out of college was at an Early Childhood Education Center and thus her second passion was born; an opportunity to work closely with children in an educational and recreational setting that provided them with unique and memorable experiences. This then led to a promotion coordinating and overseeing an Out of School Time Program at Belmont Academy Charter School in West Philadelphia.
The path to success is rarely linear and often returns us to childhood experiences that made an impact and impression.
Raeanna recalls:
I'll never forget at the ripe old age of 13, when I read a book that changed my life without my realization. "A Child Called It," by David Pelzer spoke volumes to me in ways I didn't know was possible. Helping children find joy despite barriers, lit a fire in me.
This fire is what brings her to her purpose today. Raeanna is passionate about supporting the youth as they grow into unique individuals, providing them with enriching life experiences, and being intentional about meeting them where they are with compassion every step of the way.
She aspires to continually find opportunities to serve the youth in ways that uplift, support, encourage, and inspire them to dream of a future that resonates with them.
Her leadership role as Program Coordinator for Girls First, a tuition-free arts-based after-school program in Norristown serving girls in grades 1st-4th, allows her to do just that.
She is responsible for the daily programmatic elements encompassing Girls First. Some of her responsibilities include coordinating with local community partners that lead to exciting and unique student opportunities.
Additionally, Raeanna recruits and collaborates with staff, volunteers, and teaching apprentices to execute programming that encourages learning through interpersonal and individual play and engaging in SEL curriculum-based lessons in Dance, Visual Arts, Music, and Drama.
Most importantly, Raeanna collaborates with her staff to create and maintain a safe, inclusive, and engaging environment for the girls enrolled in the Girls First program.
Since 2009, the Girls First Program in Norristown has been helping girls:
1. Feel safe and secure while building positive relationships with their peers and our volunteers and staff.
2. Explore new academic and creative skills.
3. Practice social and emotional skills such as communication, problem solving, and empathy, so that they may better use those skills in their everyday lives.
4. Increase their resiliency, so that they can bounce back from adversity more quickly.
5. Celebrate their commitment to the growth that will lead to future success and becoming leaders in their community.
Girls First is committed to helping breakdown and overcome barriers to successful learning and growth.
Their website mentions a recent NPR story underscoring the value of their approach, reporting that mentoring programs like Girls First “have been shown to support children through difficulties in their lives [because] positive childhood experiences and relationships are known to buffer against the stress of trauma and strengthen resilience."
How can we honor Women’s History without intentionally setting up a better future for our young girls?
Raeanna Ellis is practicing this, doing the work, and making a bigger difference than she might humbly realize. Join us in celebrating Raeanna Ellis and the safe space being cultivated for the women of tomorrow at Girls First.
Support the empowerment and growth of young resilient women through artistry and connection at Girls First. Volunteer, Donate, and Get Involved here.
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