[MCN] FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: YWCA Holds Trades Exploration Spring Break Program for Girls

[Becky Margolis]

PRESS RELEASE

FOR:                    IMMEDIATE RELEASE, 3.05.18
FROM:                YWCA MISSOULA
CONTACT:         Margaret Hoyt, 543-6691, mhoyt at ywcaofmissoula.org
SUBJECT:           "YWCA Holds Trades Exploration Spring Break Program for Girls"

MISSOULA - YWCA's new program GRIT, or Girls Representing in Trades, will hold a middle school trades exploration camp during the week of spring break. The program is open to girls* in grades 6-8, and will give participants a fun introduction to the trade fields, including hands-on experience with carpentry, welding, mechanics and more. Girls who enjoy problem solving, using their hands, and working as a team are encouraged to sign up!
The GRIT middle school program will run March 26th-30th at Missoula College West. Throughout the week, girls will learn basic skills in carpentry, welding, heavy equipment, mechanics and electrical, and they'll visit local businesses and job sites to see those skills being turned into exciting and rewarding careers. The program will emphasize the importance of working together, identifying personal strengths, setting and reaching goals, and forming positive friendships.
YWCA Missoula launched the GRIT Program in 2016 with a goal of empowering young women to explore trades and skill-based work as attainable careers. Women currently make up less than three percent of the construction and extraction workforce, and only five percent of all students enrolled in high school technical programs. However, trades careers offer excellent wages and personally fulfilling, meaningful work. GRIT gives girls the opportunity to learn in a safe, supportive, and fun environment that lessens the intimidation that often exists in male-dominated fields and prevents girls from pursuing their interests.
The registration and program fee for GRIT's middle school spring break program is offered on a sliding-fee scale. Scholarships are also available to ensure that cost is not a barrier for anyone who would like to participate.
Registration for the middle school spring break program can be done online<https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdhYT7FJNnLDzsvHRUnHfJyMkADzc-ZQV7Cj61qrsA0QUzR9Q/viewform> or by completing an application at YWCA Missoula. The deadline is March 19.

For more information on GRIT programs, contact Margaret Hoyt at YWCA Missoula at 543-6691 or mhoyt at ywcaofmissoula.org<mailto:mhoyt at ywcaofmissoula.org>.

*Interested participants who identify with girlhood or womanhood are welcome to join, including participants who are transgender or are outside the gender binary and feel that GRIT could be beneficial or enjoyable to them.


Founded in 1911, YWCA Missoula is dedicated to eliminating racism, empowering women, and promoting peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all.  Learn more at www.ywcaofmissoula.org<http://www.ywcaofmissoula.org>.

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Becky Margolis
Communications Coordinator
YWCA Missoula
1130 W. Broadway
Missoula, MT 59802
P: (406) 543-6691  F: (406) 543-6777
ywcaofmissoula.org

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