My Sister's Keeper
Words Have Power
This workshop will offer girls a safe space to explore the power their words have and how their words impact others and themselves in negative and positive ways. Girls will write their own “Words Have Power” Affirmation Statement during the workshop.
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PowHERful Workshop Series
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Presenters
Helen Vilorio
Helen Vilorio is the Director of Programs for Girl Power, a non-profit, gender-specific organization which provides the following programs for girls throughout Miami Dade County, social change alternative-to-suspension and after-school programs structured to reduce suspension/arrest rates, increase self-confidence and empower adolescent girls.
She has been part of the Girl Power team since March 2016. She began as the After School Program Instructor and has since gone through Girl Power’s Program Management Training Program to work towards now being the Director of Programs. During the past five years at the organization she has been part of the development and expansion of three different programs.
Using her over 10 years of experience working in Community Based Organization she has helped enhance existing programs by adding in school components, developing social emotional learning curriculum and training staff members.
Helen believes in the power of civic engagement, as she started her career as a 16 year old Volunteer at Children’s Home Society’s Allapattah Neighborhood Center. Allapattah is an underserved community in Miami where Helen was born and raised, and after seeing the lack of resources available in her neighborhood she decided to become an active member of her community.
She organized a youth group called ‘Teen Talk” and they organized toy drives, food drives and raised funds to participate in exposure trips. This inspired her to seek a career as a Social Worker and has led her to continue giving back to the same neighborhood where she began her career.
In 2003, she was nominated by the United Way of Greater Miami as Volunteer of the Year, and has been a part of several non-profit organizations in Miami. She is part of the Overtown Children and Youth Coalition’s community meetings, Together for Children Coalition member, and board member at Georgia Jones Ayers Middle School ESSAC group.
Raised in Miami, by a mother who fled Nicaragua seeking political asylum during the tumultuous times of her country and a father from Dominican Republic who started as a painter and is now a business owner, she was raised on the importance of perseverance and resiliency. Basing her career goals on the foundational morals that have been a part of her entire life, she has become a successful servant of her community.
As Director of Programs at Girl Power she leads a team to provide high quality programs for at promise girls. She is part of the Programs and Services Committee at the agency and is mentored by Ms. Thema Campbell, President/CEO of Girl Power and former Board Member, Donnie Hale. She strives to enhance Girl Power’s current programming and envisions expanding its programs and services throughout Miami.
Alison Austin
Austin practices living in her passion. A believer in creating our own destiny, she enjoys coaching others to honor their gifts, talents, and truths. In her work, she designs mindfulness programming. A signature piece of work; Finding your Power, Purpose and Presence (P3) Executive Internship model, is a personal development and well-being course that guides students on a 3-dimensional journey towards self-discovery and workplace etiquette.
This unique design was created specifically for young women who “age out” of dependency or are homeless. In its tenth year, this model is delivered in collaboration with Educate Tomorrow Inc. Austin also facilitates training workshops in Emotional Intelligence and Social Emotional Learning for children and youth. A student of self-love, abundance thinking, and embracing mindfulness in everyday living.
Her personal mantra is, “self-awareness is a super-power.” As President of AVA Within, Alison is a certified lifestyle coach, trainer and mindfulness consultant, she enjoys mentoring others, philanthropy and exploring the world.
Alison Austin has had an extensive international career in ecotourism, community building and youth development, with the Organization of American States (OAS), National Audubon, and as Chief Executive Officer of Miami’s Belafonte TACOLCY Center. She has the innate ability to listen to others, understand the needs of the community and implement programs & services that positively impact youth and families.
Austin has more than 30 years in education and non-profit leadership. A native of Miami, Austin studied broadcasting at Miami Dade College and was inducted into its Hall of Fame in 2007. She earned a B.A. in Communications from University of South Florida, a M.S. in Hospitality Management from Florida International University, a Certificate in Non-profit Leadership from the Harvard Business School, and a M.S. Ed in Community & Social Change from the University of Miami.
Austin is the founder of Windsor Primary School in St Vincent and currently serves as a personal life coach, motivational speaker, adjunct professor, and organizational coach for Educate Tomorrow Inc. Alison shares her time between Miami, Florida and Union Island in St Vincent and the Grenadines.