Angela Monroe, Goodbye Cinderella Program
Samarkand Manor Youth Development Center

This activity is to help girls identify ways to "protect" their inner peace. It is designed to empower girls to learn, grow, and think for themselves.

Have the girls identify what makes them strong, what is important to them, what signifies who they are. The theme should be positive focusing on strengths and joys in their lives. Have them make a list or cut pictures from a magazine.

Using poster board, have them design their armor. Allow them to design it as they wish. Using the cutouts, crayons, markers, or text, have them decorate their shield. Encourage them to be creative. Encourage them to choose colors, text, and pictures carefully - after all, this is a representation of their true self and strength and time and care should be given.

Discuss with them why we need to protect our inner peace. Emphasize that with effort, we control our inner peace. We may feel as though others do, but we always have the power to control our emotions and thoughts. This shield can be used to remind us of the things in our life that enhance that strength.

Allow her to add to her shield as you continue your work with her. As she discovers new strength and things that bring peace to her, she should add them.