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JIW Application Page

In this day in time, there are a number of issues that plague girls and their development into womanhood.  For some this development is healthy, as it is nurtured by strong influences such as their parents, family members, and other positive figures in their communities.  On the other hand, for some girls, this stage of development can lead to a life-long nightmare.  It is the intent of this curriculum to facilitate all that is healthy in voyage into womanhood for all dedicated and committed girls ages 9-17 or 3rd-12th grade (however you cannot be a senior in high school as a new program participant).

Over the course of about 20-25 weeks, participants of Journey Into Womanhood (JIW) will be introduced to the following: 

  • The Value of SELF
  • Concepts of Beauty
  • Health & Fitness/Food & Nutrition
  • Our Society & Social Constructs  
  • Employment/Career Skills
  • “A” is for Academics 
  • Relationships & Social Skills
  • Etiquette
  • Community Building
  • Abstinence “plus”/STD Prevention
  • Drug & Alcohol Prevention
  • Investments, Savings and Financial Literacy 

 

Activities may include:

  • Community and Group Based Mentoring ( done onsite and via electronic communication monthly with female mentors) 
  • Annual Community Service Project ( volunteer hours apply)
  • Life- Skills Workshops and Organizational Development 
  • Annual College Tour ( when funding available/ may be an additional fee)
  • Public Speaking
  • Enrichment to possibly include ( STEM, Sewing, Cooking, Leadership Development)
  • Enrichment Trips to possibly include ( the Arts, Performances and Sporting Events) 
 

Please be prepared to complete this form in one session and allow about 20 minutes, as your responses will not be saved. If you are a new applicant please be prepared to have your daughter complete the small essay section at the end of the application. 

Participation Release


I hereby certify the accuracy of all information provided on the online application for

to participate in the Journey Into Womanhood (JIW) program. This form provides permission for my child to participate in JIW activities. I understand that my child may engage in discussions pertaining to drugs, alcohol, sexual behavior, dating, violence and other sensitive topics. Accordingly, in the event of illness or injury of my child, during JIW activities, I hereby release, discharge and hold harmless the JIW/Empowerment Resources Inc., staff and volunteers against any liability, loss or expense incurred or suffered in consequence of any action or actions, suit or suits, in law or equity, which may be brought by any person or persons in connection with, or with reference to, the administration, planning, preparation, development, conduct and execution of the JIW mentoring program. I also agree that the JIW/Empowerment Resources, Inc., staff and volunteers will not be held liable for (all claims and demands/rights and cause of action) personal injuries and property damage resulting or occurring during the aforementioned activity or transit to and from said to activity. It is also understood that no legal action will be brought against Empowerment Resources Inc., or subsidiaries or authorized personnel by you or your child because of any matter directly or indirectly related to you and your child’s participation in any session or events held by Empowerment Resources Inc.

FIELD TRIP RELEASE


I consent to:
to participate in the Journey Into Womanhood (JIW) program. This form provides permission for my child to participate in JIW activities. I understand that my child may engage in discussions pertaining to drugs, alcohol, sexual behavior, dating, violence and other sensitive topics. Accordingly, in the event of illness or injury of my child, during JIW activities, I hereby release, discharge and hold harmless the JIW/Empowerment Resources Inc., staff and volunteers against any liability, loss or expense incurred or suffered in consequence of any action or actions, suit or suits, in law or equity, which may be brought by any person or persons in connection with, or with reference to, the administration, planning, preparation, development, conduct and execution of the JIW mentoring program. I also agree that the JIW/Empowerment Resources, Inc., staff and volunteers will not be held liable for (all claims and demands/rights and cause of action) personal injuries and property damage resulting or occurring during the aforementioned activity or transit to and from said to activity. It is also understood that no legal action will be brought against Empowerment Resources Inc., or subsidiaries or authorized personnel by you or your child because of any matter directly or indirectly related to you and your child’s participation in any session or events held by Empowerment Resources Inc.

JIW SIGN IN AND OUT POLICY


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.

Medical Release Form


We would like to have this medical release form in case of an emergency. This would allow Empowerment Resources, Inc., staff person/volunteer to take your child to the doctor/hospital if we were unable to reach a parent or guardian.

Authorization for examination and treatment of a minor.

In the interest of

a minor, I have read the above request for medical care and as a parent or legal guardian of this child, I hear-by authorize medical examination and/or treatment as deemed necessary by the doctor(s) (and whomever he or she may designate as assistants). If no insurance list none

Communications and Media Consent Form

Participant/youth name:
hereby give permission to Empowerment Resources Inc. or news and media organizations to take or allow photographs/videotape of the above named child and to release this material to the communications media. I understand that the photographs/videotape may be used indefinitely unless otherwise indicated. The photographs /video may be used in newspapers, magazines, brochures, websites, television, website, social media and or film. I hereby waive my right to inspect and or approve the finished product. I am aware that unless otherwise stated, I will not receive payment. If I refuse to consent, my refusal will not affect my child’s participation in the program. I understand that any photograph(s) mat be released to others, including other agencies and organizations. I further understand that this information and material(s) may be re-disclosed without my further authorization and that Empowerment Resources, Inc., cannot guarantee that the recipient of the photograph(s) and the other material(s) also will not re-disclose. I understand that I have the right to revoke this authorization, but only to the extent that Empowerment Resources, Inc., has not already relied on this authorization and that it will not expire unless revoked. I may revoke this authorization by providing a written statement to Empowerment Resources, Inc., 3832-010 Baymeadows Road, Unit 348, Jacksonville, FL 32217.

JIW CODE OF CONDUCT


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.

Dress Code

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)
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. 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.

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 /code of conduct.

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 on the  University of North Florida’s Marketing Advisory Council, United Way of NE Florida’s Full-Service School’s Advisory Council, DCPS SAC committee representative, 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. 

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 2026-2027 fees are as follows:

  •  NEW participant – Price includes a one time application fee $250 ( save $25 if you pay in full)
  •  RETURNING participant – $200
  •  On average the cost comes out to about $12.00 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 $1,800.00  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 at time of application submission – 50% of the fee
  • Payment #2/final payment and balance due 10/24/26

Cashiers checks can be made payable to Empowerment Resources Inc. No checks will be accepted! A $25 late fee will be applied after 11/1/26 and participants will be dropped from the program if the payment is not made. NO REFUNDS

Payments – The following are payment methods:

  •  https://paypal.me/empowermentresources
  • Cashapp at $empowerjax 
  • https://empowermentresourcesinc.org/donate

Please list the child/JIW’s name when making the payment in the subject/memo line

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

Voice Mail Number: 904.268.8287 Cell:904-770-5488 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 10/26/24:

~Thank you~ 

 

JIW child last name A to M

JIW child last name N to Z

Small bottles of water (at least 20)

Juice  Boxes (at least 20)

non-refrigerated 100% juice preferred with no high fructose corn sugar i.e. Juicy Juice brand

62 oz bottles of non-refrigerated 100% juice preferred with no high fructose corn sugar i.e. Apple Juice or Juicy Juice brand (at least 2 bottles)

Individual bags of baked chips, cheese or peanut butter crackers or individually wrapped muffins (at least 20)

Granola bars (chewy or crunchy, at least 20)

Individual cups/cans of fruit (non-refrigerated, at least 20)

Paper Products ( paper towels, paper plates, paper cups- at least 40)

Cleaning Products ( i.e. Clorox or Lysol Wipes, Disinfecting spray, gloves to serve food)

  • JIW Calendar DatesEvents
    *September 19 ( ( 10am-1pm) Parents asked to stay from 10am-11am.

    JIW Kickoff- game day/open house – At VyStar Credit Union

    Downtown Jacksonville- MUST Register, link coming soon check our website for updates. 

    October 3JIW Workshop
    October 24JIW Workshop
    November 7JIW Workshop

    * November 14 (Sat)

    4:30pm-8:30pm

    		Cardboard City – Optional Community Service Project. Transportation Not provided. More details to come.
    December 5JIW Workshop
    December 12JIW Workshop
    *December ?JIW X-Mas Special 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

 

 

Total 2026-2027 fees are as follows: 

  • NEW participant – Price includes a onetime application fee $250 ( save $25 if you pay in full)

  • RETURNING participant – $200

On average the cost comes out to about $12.00 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 $1,800.00 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 at time of application submission – 50% of the fee
● Payment #2/final payment and balance due 10/24/26

Cashiers checks can be made payable to Empowerment Resources Inc. No checks will be accepted! A $25 late fee will be applied after 11/1/26 and participants will be dropped from the program if the payment is not made. NO REFUNDS

Payment Options

  •  

Please list the child/JIW’s name when making the payment in the subject/memo line

Mailing Address: 3820-010 Baymeadows Road, Unit 348, Jacksonville, FL 32217
Voice Mail Number: 904.268.8287 Cell:904-770-5488 E-mail: elexia@empowermentresourcesinc.org

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

If you would like to download the documents in PDF format you can use the following links. 

JIW packet 2026

Permission Parent Signature 

JIW Parent Donated Snack List