Success StoryCatching Dreams



Catching Dreams

Author: Stacy Trent

Planning Unit: Breathitt County CES

Major Program: Build Engaged and Empowered Communities – General

Plan of Work: Develop Individuals for Leadership & Volunteer Roles

Outcome: Long-Term Outcome

According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention around three in four girls worry about failing. Between the ages of 8-14, girls’ confidence levels drop by 30 percent. To help reverse this situation, the Family and Consumer Science Agent created a program called Catching Dreams. This program is designed to help build girls confidence, self-esteem, and how to follow their own path through educational activities. During the two-day event youth participated in etiquette, communication skills, team bonding, presenting oneself in a flavorful manner. On the first day youth had a lesson on etiquette where they learned how to set a proper table and how to engage during dinner, youth learned about different communication skills: verbal and non-verbal and how to use and understand both. They participated in activities where they had to work as a team, and they learned about hygiene and how to take care of their bodies to keep them clean. During the second day youth put what they had learned into action by having a tea party. Youth dressed in their best, and communicated with each other during the tea party with what they had learned previously. They also were able to get a make over to help them feel a little more confident and also how to make a body scrub to take home. The Family and Consumer Science Agent also partnered with UNITE and Herald and Herald law firm. 100% of youth said they learned about being more confident and will put what they learned into practice in the future. One youth stated, “I didn’t realize that there were more than one way to communicate. I will definitely be tuned into non-verbal communication as well.”