MY name is Juanita Blaz, program director of Island Girl Power, a youth prevention program of The Ayuda Foundation. We are celebrating our 5th year anniversary. As part of this year-long celebration, we’ve been hard at work developing an IGP Advisory Board to be able to manage our program’s growth to take it to the next level. I wanted to personally thank all the great people that have lent a hand to our small program over the years. We couldn’t have come this far without you.
Our mission of promoting positive activities and encouraging positive role models to step forward in the community is a difficult but worthwhile venture. This year, we are also assisting two of our community partners with events.
We recently supported Capoeira Mandinga during their (batizado) or graduation in April. There were so many people that came together to make it happen. Special thanks to our corporate sponsors; PIC (Annie & F&B Staff), Continental Airlines (Marketing), Marianas Variety, Nissan Rent A Car, Royal Orchid Hotel, Sorensen Media Group, TriVision, DJ’s To Go, Shooting Star Production, and supporters like Krista Gaza, Guam Legal Services, Ayuda Foundation, Marshals (Family Violence Unit), KUAM Sports, Kontendas, Copy Express, SPPC 76, Parents, Friends, and of course our community.
Coming soon is our 1st Annual Jump Rope Competition. We are excited to be part of these wonderful events. I am constantly left with optimism from being around such positive people.
Guam is fortunate to have such a diverse list of events in the community to attend. As corporations and individuals we need to take notice of family and youth events to make sure they are free and clear of alcohol and tobacco company sponsorship. Our youth deserve better events and promotions that do not send them mixed messages about alcohol use and negative images of females.
Please help me thank all the companies that step up to the plate and support our heroes in this war against underage drinking, teen pregnancy, substance and sexual abuse. These heroes are our community members working with youth in the schools, prevention programs, agencies, at home and in after-school programs. For more info on Island Girl Power’s programs, partners, or mission, call 688-4752, e-mail islandgirlpower@yahoo.com, or visit our Web site www.islandgirlpower.com.
Thank you for your support.

JUANITA BLAZ
Dededo, Guam