Needless to say, middle school was rough for many of us. When we weren’t analyzing To Kill a Mockingbird or learning about tectonic plates, we were dealing with changing bodies and getting food stuck in our braces, all while attempting to look as cool as possible. However, there are girls who at 13 and 14 years old find themselves facing much more serious issues, like those at Madero Middle School where knowing a classmate who just joined a gang is not all that surprising. In this period of change, many girls would benefit from having a supportive figure to help them overcome problems and sometimes, simply hear them out. This is where WYSE comes in.
Rebecca Silverberg, a 3rd year Psychology major, and Christine Wong, a 4th year Public Policy major, along with fellow board members Eliza Brown and Andrea Haidar, are helping lead UChicago’s chapter of WYSE, a national organization dedicated to empowering young women. An acronym for “Women and Youth Supporting Each Other”, The UChicago chapter was established in 1997 and connects UChicago students and middle-school girls through group sessions and personal mentorships.
Every Friday for an hour, Rebecca, Christine, and the members of WYSE go to Little Village to meet with a group of middle-school girls at Madero Middle School which UChicago WYSE has served for all of its 15 years. The collective group sits together to discuss topics that may be affecting them such as drugs & alcohol, sex education, and conflict resolution. Christine and Rebecca believe that by creating an open conversation that ensures confidentiality, the Madero girls will be able to make informed decisions. In addition to the group talks, each WYSE member is paired with one or two Madero students, providing the middle-school girls an opportunity to forge a close relationship with a reliable and supportive big sister figure. When WYSE is not at Madero, the mentors, which amount to 30 this year, will call their mentees to ask about their days or hang out. WYSE also hosts a sleepover in the lounge of Burton-Judson as well as a “communities day” which features speakers and projects.
Both Christine and Rebecca joined WYSE their first year so when asked to describe their favorite moment, the pair claimed that there were too many to state just one. Christine, however, talked about how she particularly enjoys watching her mentees take on leadership roles as they guide their peers during the weekly sessions. She mentioned one instance in which her mentee opened up and led a discussion when the group was discussing LGBTQ issues, fostering an open and safe space that allowed the Madero girls to feel comfortable with expressing their thoughts and feelings. Rebecca raved about the big end of the year banquet which features the graduating mentors and mentees who talk of the community they have built as a group.
Though WYSE receives some University funding, Rebecca and Christine talked of several problems associated with budget such as transportation costs. To help with the expenses of running the program, WYSE throws a big fundraiser each quarter, their Fall quarter event coming up this Saturday, November 11. WYSE will be hosting a 5K to be held in Washington Park. You can also look out for their Drunk Bake Sale in the Winter and their Spring quarter party later in the year. If you’re interested in participating in the WYSE Run/Walk, register at their site. Help support a group that has dedicated itself to supporting others.