MEDIA ADVISORY
December 3, 2008
Contact: Patrick Weaver, AMI at (828) 553-6323
Anna Sharratt, CTC at (828) 252-0562
Asheville teens to benefit from Adventure for Kids program
Climbing Toward Confidence builds self-esteem through rock-climbing
On Saturday, December 6, Brevard’s Adventure for Kids – a program of the Appalachian Mountain Institute – will provide a day of outdoor rock-climbing to participants in Asheville’s Climbing Toward Confidence program.
Climbing Toward Confidence (CTC) is an innovative new program that pairs teen girls with women mentors and—through rock-climbing—builds self-esteem, improves communication skills and reduces the risk of sexual violence. Climbing Toward Confidence is a project of Our VOICE, Buncombe County's sexual assault response center. The program is funded by a community action grant from the American Association of University Women, in-kind support from ClimbMax Climbing Center, and private donors. For more information, visit CTC on the Web at http://climbingtowardconfidence.blogspot.com or see www.ourvoicenc.org.
Adventure for Kids is the community outreach program of the Appalachian Mountain Institute (AMI). Adventure for Kids serves underprivileged youth by working with existing organizations to provide outdoor rock-climbing experiences, and to develop character, leadership and stewardship of our community. Adventure for Kids is funded by the AMI and by local donors and businesses. For more information, visit AMI on the Web at www.appalachianmountaininstitute.com or send an email to patrick@appalachianmountioninstitute.com.
Adventure for Kids guides and Climbing Toward Confidence participants will meet Saturday, December 6 for a day of outdoor rock-climbing at Rumbling Bald near Lake Lure, NC beginning at 10:00 am. This has been made possible by generous donations from Lisa Evan and the Brevard Rock Gym.
inspiring confidence, strengthening voice
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
CTC on Facebook
If you are a Facebook user, become a member of the Climbing Toward Confidence Group to show your support and receive periodic news. Simply search for Climbing Toward Confidence in the "Groups" section!
Monday, November 24, 2008
Climbing Toward Confidence T-shirts Available
Order your Climbing Toward Confidence t-shirt today!
T-shirts are short-sleeve and come in women's and men's sizes (no XS). Choose between a sky blue or a chocolate brown shirt, with the CTC logo centered on the chest. To order, call 252-0562 or email anna@ourvoicenc.org.
T-shirts are short-sleeve and come in women's and men's sizes (no XS). Choose between a sky blue or a chocolate brown shirt, with the CTC logo centered on the chest. To order, call 252-0562 or email anna@ourvoicenc.org.
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
CTC in the Asheville Citizen Times
Program helps girls achieve confidence, courage
Dale Neal • DNeal@CITIZEN-TIMES.com • updated November 18, 2008 12:56 am
ASHEVILLE – Lebraysha Spakes, 13, scampered quickly up the plastic toeholds of the climbing wall, then made the mistake of looking down. “Oh my God,” she cried.
“Sit back,” ordered Anna Sharratt from below.
Spakes leaned back, supported by the climbing rope and her harness and slowly walked back down the wall. “I'm scared of heights,” she smiled broadly when she reached the bottom.
Spakes spends her Monday afternoons in the Climbing Toward Confidence program, sponsored by Our Voice, Buncombe County's rape response center. Each Monday, a group of nine girls in the seventh and eighth grades at Randolph Learning Center and Asheville Middle School meet with their mentors at the Climbmax Climbing Center on Wall Street, learning how to edge up tough toe holds, tie on their harnesses and safely belay their partners down the walls.
Scaling a tough climbing wall can teach young girls confidence in their abilities and courage to take on new situations, which could reduce the risk of sexual violence, Sharratt said.
The program is funded by a $10,000 grant over two years from the American Association of University Women.
Sharratt said she's been climbing herself since she was a child. “It's a passion of mine. It forces you to be honest with yourself.”
Girls at ages 12 and 13 often begin to lose confidence in themselves, worried about their body image and fitting in.
Climbing can also help young girls challenge their assumptions, said Gordon Grant, principal of Randolph Learning Center and an avid rock climber himself. “A lot of students set artificial limits for themselves, then they learn they can do more. They can take their experience from the climbing wall and apply to life,” Grant said.
Sharratt said the program runs for eight weeks. After they master basic climbing skills, the girls will have an outdoor climb, either at Rumbling Bald or Looking Glass Rock, two popular climbing spots in the area.
For more information on the Climbing Toward Confidence program, visit http://climbingtoward confidence.blogspot.com or www.ourvoicenc.org.
Dale Neal • DNeal@CITIZEN-TIMES.com • updated November 18, 2008 12:56 am
ASHEVILLE – Lebraysha Spakes, 13, scampered quickly up the plastic toeholds of the climbing wall, then made the mistake of looking down. “Oh my God,” she cried.
“Sit back,” ordered Anna Sharratt from below.
Spakes leaned back, supported by the climbing rope and her harness and slowly walked back down the wall. “I'm scared of heights,” she smiled broadly when she reached the bottom.
Spakes spends her Monday afternoons in the Climbing Toward Confidence program, sponsored by Our Voice, Buncombe County's rape response center. Each Monday, a group of nine girls in the seventh and eighth grades at Randolph Learning Center and Asheville Middle School meet with their mentors at the Climbmax Climbing Center on Wall Street, learning how to edge up tough toe holds, tie on their harnesses and safely belay their partners down the walls.
Scaling a tough climbing wall can teach young girls confidence in their abilities and courage to take on new situations, which could reduce the risk of sexual violence, Sharratt said.
The program is funded by a $10,000 grant over two years from the American Association of University Women.
Sharratt said she's been climbing herself since she was a child. “It's a passion of mine. It forces you to be honest with yourself.”
Girls at ages 12 and 13 often begin to lose confidence in themselves, worried about their body image and fitting in.
Climbing can also help young girls challenge their assumptions, said Gordon Grant, principal of Randolph Learning Center and an avid rock climber himself. “A lot of students set artificial limits for themselves, then they learn they can do more. They can take their experience from the climbing wall and apply to life,” Grant said.
Sharratt said the program runs for eight weeks. After they master basic climbing skills, the girls will have an outdoor climb, either at Rumbling Bald or Looking Glass Rock, two popular climbing spots in the area.
For more information on the Climbing Toward Confidence program, visit http://climbingtoward confidence.blogspot.com or www.ourvoicenc.org.
Saturday, November 15, 2008
Mayor Bellamy to climb with Climbing Toward Confidence
MEDIA ALERT
November 14, 2008
Contact: Anna Sharratt at (828) 252-0562
Mayor Bellamy to climb with innovative new program for girls
Climbing Toward Confidence builds self-esteem through rock climbing
This Monday, Nov. 17, Asheville mayor Terry Bellamy will visit Climbing Toward Confidence, an innovative new program that pairs teen girls with women mentors and—through rock-climbing—builds self-esteem, improves communication skills and reduces the risk of sexual violence.
Mayor Bellamy will climb with the girls and their mentors beginning at 4:00 p.m. at
Climbing Toward Confidence is a project of Our VOICE,
For more information, visit CTC on the Web at http://climbingtowardconfidence.blogspot.com or see www.ourvoicenc.org.
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Thursday, November 13, 2008
Thursday, November 6, 2008
Images of Women in the Media
On November 3, 2o08, Climbing Toward Confidence participants discussed the media's representation of girls and women. They discussed the pressures exerted on females to look and act a certain way -- expectations which are often unrealistic and impossible to achieve. The girls spoke about the effect those expectations have on their sense of self-worth and their self-confidence. They listed other ways to determine their sense of self-worth besides their physical appearance, such as their trustworthiness, honesty, friendships and other strengths.
Participants also watched a short video, Evolution, from the Dove Campaign for Real Beauty, which shows all the work that goes into a billboard image of a model.
Participants also watched a short video, Evolution, from the Dove Campaign for Real Beauty, which shows all the work that goes into a billboard image of a model.
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