Topics for this month’s Rites of Passage females mentoring session were Building Friendships and Peer Pressure. We had a great discussion about meeting new friends, the meaning of friendship, characteristics of a good friend and maintaining healthy friendships. Our dialogue then segued into peer pressure. The young ladies openly and eagerly spoke out about personal experiences with peer pressure and how they reacted in these situations. Mentors explained the difference between good and bad peer pressures, strategies to avoid bad peer pressure, ways to respond, coping techniques and what makes you vulnerable to it. Mentees also acted out realistic scenarios of peer pressure. On another note, our November community service project was to stuff holiday gift bags for the homeless. We enjoyed doing this together while discussing gratitude and giving. Our meeting ended with birthday shout outs! Happy birthday to Ms. Lisa, Ms. Carol, Ms. Raquel, Kyarah, Taniah, and Denajae!
