JIW Application Page

About Empowerment Resources

Empowerment Resources Inc., a private 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization whose mission is to focus on making children and their families stronger while empowering them to become successful leaders in the community. Empowerment Resource’s Journey Into Womanhood (JIW) program originally started as a summer program in 2003. Due to the success of the program and request from parents, youth, and the community, the JIW program was extended throughout the year. Empowerment Resources Inc. currently offers the following services; Journey Into Womanhood program, life-skills workshops for male and female teens, parenting seminars and coaching and to date has served 1,500 youth and families. 

Elexia Coleman-Moss, executive director and founder of Empowerment Resources, Inc., is a civic-minded humanitarian committed to utilizing her passion, education, experiences and time to empower children and families, by helping them identify and promote the “power” within them. 

She is a native of Jacksonville, Florida, but was raised and attended school in Sarasota, Florida. Coleman-Moss exhibited leadership skills as a teen and put her skills to work for the betterment of her school. Elexia has worked throughout her career supporting children, adolescents and families facing social and economic problems. Upon graduation from high school, she furthered her studies at Florida A&M University, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in psychology with a minor in criminal justice. In 2002, she completed coursework at the graduate level for behavior analysis. Mrs. Coleman-Moss is a Nationally Recognized Trainer/Consultant in the Nurturing Parenting curriculum since 2007 and is a certified life coach under the CAPP Institute. In 2013 she completed her Master’s in Public Administration. 

A tireless advocate for children, Elexia has been nominated for awards to include the City of Jacksonville Mayor’s Commission on the Status of Women and received the WJCT’s American Graduate award.  She currently serves as a dedicated volunteer for the Florida Department of Education as a CROP Advisory Council Member, University of North Florida’s Marketing Advisory Council, and serves on the Leadership team for the First Coast Girls Initiative. 

Volunteers and Mentors for the JIW program

Empowerment Resources, Inc., is run by dedicated community volunteers.  All volunteers must go through an application process, which includes an interview, background screenings, DCF Affidavit of Good Moral Character and letters of recommendation before they are allowed to volunteer with the program. All volunteers who serve as mentors must complete a comprehensive training. Only female adults are allowed to volunteer at JIW youth meetings. The JIW program is facilitated by experienced leaders and volunteers who put them on the path to positively impact the communities in which they live.  Past mentors for the program have included social workers, educators, marketing managers, physical therapist, nurses and journalist. 

1. HONESTY – I will approach all that I do in a sincere and honest manner. In an effort to uphold my integrity and demonstrate good character I will, act in a trustworthy manner, neither lying nor intentionally misleading others.
2. RESPECT For myself and others – As a member of the community, I will do my best to make a positive contribution. Therefore, to show respect for myself and others, I will:

• Not engage in name calling, use of profanity, hitting, or purposely hurting, offending, verbally attacking, humiliating, or belittling another person, even though there may be disagreements in beliefs, choices, and/or behaviors.
• Listen while others are talking.
• Choose appropriate words when speaking to my elders/adults and my peers.
• Be attentive during face to face and online meetings and create a safe space (no cyberbullying). 
• Cell Phones – When not being used for educational reasons or Zoom, are to only be used at the beginning and end of meetings, unless permission is granted. Violation of this rule will result in removal of phone for the day and will be returned to an adult only at the end of the meeting. 
• I will be responsible for my personal belongings and equipment and will label all. I will not hold Empowerment Resource Inc. or any other individual or program provider responsible for my loss or damage due to my negligence.

For community and surroundings – I will respect our community property. I understand the importance of respecting the possessions of others. Therefore, to show this respect, I will:

• Properly dispose of trash, waste, recycle when appropriate, and avoid any action which unduly contributes to pollution. 
• Not damage, deface, destroy or vandalize any community, school, or individual property. 
• Not take things that belong to others. 
• NO GUM CHEWING at meetings or outings

JIW girls will be required to wear their JIW T-shirt to meetings with appropriate bottoms and shoes. See below for the more details. For special meetings and outings, advanced notice will be given to JIW participants and they will be allowed to wear “non-JIW uniforms”. In general, please follow these guidelines for dress attire:

1. Skirts and shorts should be an appropriate length. 
2. Shirts must be long enough that they can be worn tucked inside (no bare midriff or belly buttons showing)! JIW shirts must be worn( in original condition) unless otherwise noted. 
3. Shoes- Appropriate footwear should be worn at all times. No slippers or flip-flops (shoes must have a back). Shoes should fully cover feet when going on outings/trips.
4. No see-through clothing with out under shirt. 
5. Clothes advertising illegal substances (drugs, alcohol, tobacco products) for teens or language and writing that is inappropriate or offensive (sex, profanity, racial or ethnic slurs, gang related attire, etc) may not be worn.
6. Bonnets are not allowed for online and in person meetings in dress code. 

Failure to follow these rules and code of conduct can result in suspension from the program and trips or dismissal from the program.  

I understand that by being a part of the Journey Into Womanhood program, I must respect myself and others by exhibiting appropriate behavior, wearing appropriate dress attire and a positive attitude.  

I ________________________________agree to this statement and to follow these rules as well as the Participant/Parent Manual. (Participant/Parent manual to be given out at youth and parent orientation)

_______________________________ _______________________________

JIW youth (sign and date) Parent (sign and date)

For safety and liability please sign your child in and out of meetings. Do not drop off your children.  During dismissal please be prepared to show proper photo ID until our volunteer team learns each authorized person listed on the application. If a person not listed on the application is picking up the child, we will need written permission from the parent/caregiver and a photo ID. Please pick up your child promptly after each workshop. We do our best to dismiss between 12:55pm and 1:05pm. A small grace period of a few minutes is offered, however we reserve the right to charge a late pick up fee of $25 for each 30 minutes you are late.   

___________________________________

 Parent (sign and date)

Journey Into Womanhood usually takes place TWICE A MONTH on Saturdays, from 10:00 a.m. – 1 p.m. The program runs from  until September to May. For a listing of dates, time and location, please see the last page. We meet at 431 University Blvd N., Jacksonville, FL 32211 (Arlington Congregational Church). Public transportation is near. Additionally girls are required to meet once a quarter with their assigned mentor via Zoom. Schedules to come once assigned a mentor. Parents are only welcomed to sit in on meetings when invited (i.e. parent/youth meetings). This allows your child to open up and develop a bond with the volunteers and program directors.  

Participants are encouraged to attend monthly.  Absences are allowed for illness and special family circumstances.  If absence is known in advance, please notify one of the program coordinators. Since this program has limited seating, we ask that all ladies attend on a consistent basis. If more than 4 meetings are missed, consideration for future outings will be pending. We try to start and end of time to be fair to our presenters, volunteers, and the youth. Please have your child arrive between 9:50am-10am to assist us with staying on schedule. 

In order for a participant to remain in the program this year, you must remain in good standing through the entire program year.  Participants may be evaluated mid-year to ensure they remain in Good Standing. The following criteria must be met to remain in Good Standings:

• Attendance 85 % (no more than 4 absences for the JIW year, September-May) 
• Program participation 
• Behavior and Attitude
• Parent Participation (more to come during quarterly parent meetings)  

Total 2023-2024 fees are as follows:

• NEW participant – Price includes a one time application fee $100 ( save $25 if you pay in full)
• On average the cost comes out to about $10.00 a workshop. The fee schedule pays for journal/day planner, JIW materials, and some enrichment trips. Last year, the average program cost per child was $850.  PLEASE make your payments on time. We are a small nonprofit organization. At times, we receive additional funding through our annual end of the year JIW program, fund-raising events, public donations and grants.  No refunds will be offered. A limited number of financial assistance scholarships are available. Please contact us for more info. Valid proof of income is required.  

• Payment #1 due 1/15/25 – 50% of the fee  

• Payment #2/final payment and balance due 2/1/24

Money orders and cashiers checks can be made payable to Empowerment Resources Inc. No checks will be accepted! A $25 late fee will be applied after 2/3/24 and participants will be dropped from the program if the payment is not made. NO REFUNDS 

Payments can also be made via credit card by visiting our website, www.empowermentresourcesinc.org Click on the programs/JIW page and look for the payment button that will take you to Paypal. NO Paypal account is required. Help us save by paying via Paypal friends under Elexia@empowermentresourcesinc.org   

You can also pay via cashapp at $empowerjax

Mailing Address: 3820-010 Baymeadows Road, Unit 348, Jacksonville, FL 32217

Voice Mail Number:  904.268.8287   Cell:904-834-1188    E-mail: elexia@empowermentresourcesinc.org

**Incomplete applications will not be processed. Please see the checklist above** 

Parents are asked to donate one of the following by 2/23/24:

~Thank you~ 

• JIW Calendar Dates	Events
  January 20	JIW meeting
  February 3	JIW Meeting
  February 10 from 11am- 2pm (Transportation NOT provided) location VyStar Tower Downtown Jax	Special Event- Curls and Convo. Free ticket for JIW girls who are paid up on fees. Parents may purchase a ticket if they would like to attend the event. Learn more here https://www.mygani.com/pages/curls-and-convo
  February 24	JIW meeting
  March 9	JIW Meeting
  March 30	JIW Meeting
  April 6	JIW Meeting
  April 20	JIW Meeting
  End of April/Early May	JIW 20th Celebration Event-  more details to come

• All JIW meetings are from 10am-1pm unless otherwise noted. All meeting at our Arlington location unless otherwise noted. 
• A complete calendar to include topics covered will be issued once enrolled in JIW program. Topics for Sept. to Dec. include: A is for Academics, Community Building, Drug & Alcohol Prevention, Health & Fitness/Food & Nutrition, Value of Self. 
• The January to May calendar will be issued in early December 
• Calendar can be modified at any time. Participants will be notified in advance of any changes.
• JIW girls will also have quarterly 1 hour group zoom mentor connections. Exact dates to be determined by mentors with 7 to 10 days notice provided. 

*= optional event