I am a proud mother of two awesome brown boys. I was first introduced to Growing Up Knowing at their school although in my line of work, in the public health field and profession as a health advocate I had been hearing and reading about the organization and programs. So, when I heard that they were coming to my children's school I was excited but at the same time a bit cautious. To my surprise, the program addressed all of my concerns and left such a lasting impression. I also felt that the care, thought and support for the children's involvement was outstanding. 

 

I would strongly encourage that all families take advantage and support this wonderful program and organization. There are talks about self-awareness/bodies, good/bad touches, and choices around good sexual health and education on a level that children understand and parents and caregivers should encourage. I have these conversations with my boys often but reinforcement is always helpful. Gone are the days of not talking about hard and tough issues with our children. I look forward to attending more programs that Growing Up Knowing offers in the future as my boys and I both grow.

 

Quanikki Martin

 

My Body My Boundaries Past Participant

Community Engagement and Outreach Coordinator

STD/HIV Office

Mississippi State Department of Health

 

 

 

Programming Report

 

Many thanks to our community partners for partnering with us! We are still implementing our virtual programs so please email program specialist, Zaria Bonds at zaria@growingupknowing.org to schedule a program!

 

Facilitators Spotlight: Rachel Glazer and Gigi Holder

 

 

 

As the Community Engagement Program Manager at the Goldring/Woldenberg Institute of Southern Jewish Life, Rachel Glazer works with Jewish communities across the South to engage in meaningful social justice learning. She also guides public school students in becoming confident readers, compassionate listeners, and leaders in the classroom. Outside of work, Rachel is a board member of Big House Books (an organization that sends free books to Mississippi inmates), a Sunday School teacher at Beth Israel Congregation, and a Zumba instructor. Prior to making Jackson, MS her home in 2016, she earned her BS in Psychology at the University of North Georgia, just a stone’s throw from her hometown Gainesville, GA.

 

Rachel has been a facilitator with Growing Up Knowing for three years. She loves working with parents and children together to start important conversations in the My Body, My Boundaries program.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

She earned her bachelor’s degree in Health Education from the University of Arkansas in her hometown of Fayetteville, AR, and later received a Master of Public Health and a Master of Social Work from the Joint Degree Program at New Mexico State University in Las Cruces, NM.

 

 Gigi has proudly been a facilitator with Growing Up Knowing (GUK) since going through the training in early 2019. Her favorite programs to facilitate are the My Body, My Boundaries for both Early Childhood and Elementary-Aged Children. She also aspires to someday facilitate a Tween Talk program as well. Involvement in GUK, allows Gigi to maintain her connection to health education while also serving as a conversation starter regarding the important information that GUK promotes to families and children.

 

When not serving in a professional role, Gigi can be found exercising outside in the wonderful warm weather or trying her hand at new recipes at home in the kitchen. Other fun facts include her love and practice of yoga and that she served in the Peace Corps as a health volunteer in Burkina Faso, West Africa from 2012-2014.

 

You Can Help! 

 

Watch Mrs. Inglish DeVoss explain why she joined Growing Up Knowing as a board member and the ways you can support our mission!

 

With a generous gift today, YOU can support Growing Up Knowing’s virtual My Body, My Boundaries programs, and The 'Tween Talk. Your tax-deductible gift of any size will directly help Mississippi children and families grow up knowing how to make healthier life decisions.

 

YOU can help cultivate a culture of consent for families in your community. Do you know of a school, community, afterschool, or faith organization who would like to partner with us at no financial cost to implement one of our three signature programs (My Body, My Boundaries for Early Childhood Families, My Body, My Boundaries for Elementary School Families, and The 'Tween Talk: Comprehensive Sex Education for Middle School Families)? You can refer them to us by clicking here.