After Thursday’s tragic death of a 16 year old girl in an assault at Howard High School, psychologists and others were on hand Friday to help counsel students.
Among the people offering help was Chandra Pitts, president of the One Village Alliance and founder of Girls Can Do Anything. Just last month, she was also inducted into the Hall of Fame for Delaware Women.
"We bring chairs into a circle, we start with healthy refreshments before we even get into the circle," Pitts said. "So they can drop a topic into a box on their way in…it’s an opening ritual and then there’s a theme, so what do I want to talk about in this theme. And then it gets creative within the theme."
The 10-week model of weekly 90-minute groups is evidence-based, and Pitts says she holds the confidential circles weekly for groups of 10-15 girls, just six blocks from Howard High School of Technology. She says the groups help the girls build self-esteem and open up about personal topics.
The sessions also help girls connect with each other and trusted adults. But the girls can also drop in when they have time; they don’t have to attend all 10 sessions to participate.
“It’s impactful. Our girls get really emotional, but they get empowered," Pitts said. "And they’re building lifelong bonds in there with girls and mentors.”
Madison Cooper says she’s benefited greatly from the circles, particularly when it comes to relating to other girls.
"It guides me to be a better person," Cooper said. "I feel like every girl is different in their own way. I wish jealousy didn’t play a big role but apparently it does and it affects other people. In my heart I feel like this girl didn’t deserve to die. I didn’t know her, but I heard great things about her."
Pitts and others made themselves available outside of Howard High School beginning at 7:45 Friday morning to meet with and help girls in smaller circles than the typical 10-15 because of the special circumstances.
Saturday morning, sister circles will be decorating mirrors at Christiana Hospital to help the girls focus on self-actualization and recognizing their unique beauty.
Pitts also offers a program for men and boys of color called Raising Kings.