GUTS! (Girls Using Their Strengths) is the girls leadership project of YWCA Missoula. GUTS! helps grow the next generation of women leaders by helping girls ages 9 to 18 develop self-confidence and leadership skills in a friendly, affirming environment.

All summer trips incorporate basic learning of “leave no trace” backcountry ethics and teamwork, as well as the GUTS! Leadership Method and place-based learning about the area. All trips also include one day of service learning, which is usually working on an organic farm or helping with trail maintenance. More detailed information as to specific trip locations and activities of trips will be available by April 15. Girls may register for trips on a first come, first served basis. Each trip can accommodate up to 11 girls.

The deadline for early applications is April 30th.

Late applications will be accepted until May 15th or until trips fill up…whichever comes first!

Each month, the YWCA Missoula Minute e-newsletter profiles one of our Circle of Change multi-year donors about why they feel compelled to give their money and in many cases, their time, to help women and children in our community.

Katherine Beckley joined the Circle of Change in 2008, as a lead gift for the annual Women's Justice Benefit Luncheon. One of the YWCA's youngest donors, Beckley, 29, is a former employee, so she knows firsthand how the organization changes the lives of women and children in need. Today she works as a research historian for HRA and volunteers as a table captain at the YWCA's annual fundraiser.

YWCA: How did you come to be involved with the YWCA?
Beckley: I became a volunteer while I was in college about six or seven years ago. After I graduated, I was hired to be a women's advocate and then the shelter coordinator. Eventually I found a job in my field, but I never stopped believing in the important work of the YWCA. Now I volunteer as a table captain for the annual luncheon.

YWCA: Why do you give money, as well as your time, to our organization?

Click on the attachment below to download the calendar for the YWCA's upcoming life skills classes, as well as support groups information for the month of May.

Learn more about support groups.

Assault on Pop Star Sheds Light on Teen Dating Violence

By Caitlin Copple, marketing and communications coordinator

R&B stars Rihanna, 21, and Chris Brown, 19, were the picture perfect Hollywood couple: young, beautiful, wealthy, and in love. Or so it seemed before Brown was charged with assaulting Rihanna last month on the morning of the Grammy Awards. The story has gone viral on the Internet, with fans young and old weighing on blogs and the singers’ myspace pages. Many people, including girls and women, are supporting Chris Brown, questioning whether or not the incident is true (despite the horribly graphic crime photos of Rihanna that were leaked online), and criticizing all women who report abuse. At a time when one in five high school girls will experience dating violence and 16-24 year-olds face the highest rates of abuse, it’s clear that the public desperately needs more education on these important issues.

RhiannaFrom FindingDulcinea.com

On Thursday, March 12, Chris Brown was indicted for beating up his pop star girlfriend Rihanna. Police said he “pummeled Rihanna repeatedly in the face, arms, and even bit her.” Rihanna refused a restraining order and is still dating Brown. Fox reports, after the proceedings Rihanna’s lawyer told Brown, “Rihanna wants this to be wrapped up as quickly as you do.”

When teenagers answered an online survey earlier this month on the Web Site Pangea Pulse, cited by The Tampa Tribune, 60 percent said Rihanna should break up with Chris, while 24 percent said “they should try to work it out” and another 16 percent said “she must have done something wrong.” One respondent wrote, “Maybe Chris was kinda partying and maybe he didn’t know what he was doing. But IDK (Internet speak for I don’t know) I still like him and I feel kinda bad for him. I’m sorry but, IDK.”