The Girls Dig Deeper Initiative (GDDI) is expanding its mentorship program to the South Bibb Recreation Center (7035 Houston Road) and is looking for girls to join.

GDDI is a girls group mentoring and youth development program in Central Georgia which serve youth in schools, communities, and incarcerated youth ages 13-17. They currently meet at the Rosa Jackson Recreation Center but will start offering the program at South Bibb Recreation Center every first and third Thursday of the month. South Bibb already offers a mentorship program for young men, but Center Supervisor Janice Shephard wanted to do something for the girls as well.

“We are hoping to reach as many young teenagers as possible,” said Shephard. “If only one girl comes and we make a difference, that means we have succeeded. With all the violence in the surrounding community, mental health, and social media issues, this is important now more than ever.”

The GDDI mentorship program at South Bibb is completely free and begins Thursday, October 5 and will last from 6:00 p.m. until 7:30 p.m. GDDI is a partner and recipient of grant funding from the Macon Violence Prevention (MVP). The girls will be part of the Winners’ Mindset program, which consists of components in leadership development, personal development, mental health and wellness, and conflict resolution.

“I feel great about expanding the program because we have an opportunity to reach more girls in the community, and provide a safe space for positive youth development and building positive relationships,” said GDDI Founder Najiva Timothee.

GDDI has received $15,500 in grant funding from Macon Violence Prevention. In the first round of funding, they received $5,500 and in the second round this year, they received $10,000 to offer leadership development programs designed to help young girls overcome barriers such as childhood poverty, chronic absenteeism, poor academic achievement, disability, adverse childhood experiences and community violence.

If you would like to register your teenage daughter, relative, or friend, email girlsddi@gmail.com.

About Girls Dig Deeper Initiative

Girls Dig Deeper Initiative is a girls group mentoring and youth development program in Central Georgia which serve youth in schools and communities, and incarcerated youth ages 13-17. They provide 1:1, group, and a team model mentoring approach within the organization.

Their mission is to foster guidance, support, and encouragement to all youth girls to dig deep within themselves to access their inner potential and expand their capacity to be a positive influence to themselves and others.

Girls Dig Deeper Initiative launched its leadership development program, The Winners’ Mindset, in January to teach youth girls to rise up and win regardless of the challenges they face.

About the Macon Violence Prevention Program

Macon Violence Prevention is an evidence-based, multifaceted program created to address public safety in Macon-Bibb County. Supported and funded by the consolidated government, MVP is a community-wide effort that brings together elected officials, community leaders and representatives from more than 20 agencies, organizations and departments.

The MVP program operates under the guidance of the MVP Strategic Plan, which was created in June of 2021 by community stakeholders and violent crime experts. The plan combines data and research with community feedback to identify and implement proven solutions that reduce violent crime and strengthen the community over time.