Girl Talk Millburn Continues Peer To Peer Mentoring Mission

MILLBURN, NJ - Empowerment and mentoring go hand in hand as the Girl Talk Millburn chapter continues their mission to improve their community through volunteerism.

Girl Talk Millburn chapter was founded in 2016 and since then almost 100 girls have participated in the program. The chapter meets bi-weekly at the Cora Hartshorn Arboretum in Short Hills.

According to organizers, the goal of high school Girl Talk leaders is to inspire young girls in their community to be courageous, learn new things, and to become leaders in the community. Elementary and middle school girls are also able to hang out with high school girls and get advice about how to succeed in middle school with all of its challenges. It’s a great way for middle school girls to make friends with girls from all over the area and to have a welcoming space to talk about anything. Some of the activities the girls will participate in at the meetings include invited speakers, baking sessions, community service, volunteering in nature, question and answer sessions for daily advice and homework. The girls will be involved in many fundraising projects, and, after middle school, they can become leaders for the chapter and be eligible for scholarship opportunities.

Girl Talk Millburn is a peer to peer mentorship program where High School girls mentor girls in elementary and middle school. In the past two years Girl Talk leaders have spearheaded many community service projects such as making Hurricane Harvey kits that had detergent, soap, cleaning brushes, and more to give to those in need. Inside of each kit, the girls wrote heartfelt letters to show they cared no matter how far away they were. The chapter also organized many drives, including a coat drive, glove drive, and the biggest - the candy collection drive.

Girl Talk Millburn leaders have also inherited a program called "Just in Case" where they take old eyeglass cases from a local organization New Eyes for the Needy and pack it with candy, pencils , and stickers. These kits are sent to the local children's hospital and the kids love it! In addition, the girls are taught how to make handmade blankets, and those are sent to the hospital as well. Finally, there is a peanut butter and jelly day where the girls make sandwiches for the local Food Pantry.

The chapter will be hosting a Candy collection drive for the troops from Nov, 1 through Nov. 8 at the Millburn Free Library and the Cora Hartshorn Arboretum.

This fall the club will meet every other Sunday at the Cora Hartshorn Arboretum from 4-5 p.m. It will include the following dates: Oct. 14, Oct. 28, Nov. 11, Dec. 2, and Dec. 16.

Sign-up and secure a spot for the next session of Girl Talk Millburn email girltalkmillburn@gmail.com and visit the website for more information.

(Photos courtesy of Girl Talk Millburn)

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