Blooming Together Workshop Encourages Empowerment and Esteem Among Girl Scouts' Beyond...

Blooming Together Workshop Encourages Empowerment and Esteem Among Girl
Scouts' Beyond Bars Troop at Maryland's Correctional Institution for Women

WASHINGTON, Jan. 22 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Maryellen Gor's Blooming
Together Workshop focuses on the positive aspects of interpersonal
relationships by urging individuals to lay aside negative attitudes and
feelings that impede communication. Because of her prior work with mother and
daughter relationships she was approached by Girl Scouts of Central Maryland
about integrating her program into the Girl Scouts' Beyond Bars program.

The pilot collaboration took place at the Maryland Correctional Institution
for Women in Jessup, Maryland. Maryellen Gor integrated her Blooming Together
Workshop into the Girl Scouts' program to facilitate appreciation and
admiration of mother's and daughter's strengths. This workshop supported the
Beyond Bars program's goals to provide an opportunity for mother and daughter
to develop skills in leadership, conflict resolution, and self-esteem while
allowing mothers to stay involved and connected with their children's lives.
Traci Barnett, CEO of Girl Scouts of Central Maryland said, "In 1993, Attorney
General Janet Reno claimed, 'This program has the potential to become a model
for the nation.' And it did! The program's successes are two-pronged: by
helping girls we help their mothers. The mothers develop crucial life skills
that empower them to cope with imprisonment and become better parents."

The workshop centers around nine petals of a blooming flower - appreciation,
confidence, courage, listening, self-worth, positive body image, respect,
self-care provider, and self-discipline. Marianne Williamson wrote, "Our
deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are
powerful beyond measure," and as such, the goal of the Blooming Together
Workshop is to address these universal fears. "The core themes in Blooming
Together center around the feelings of 'self' so that individuals can
eliminate personal hopelessness and allow themselves to see that they are
truly powerful," said Maryellen Gor. That is why over time, participants forge
their own path to personal barriers and see that they must rely upon one
another for support during difficult times.

About Maryellen Gor:
Maryellen Gor is a leadership coach, professional speaker, and author who
assists individuals to manage stresses and self-perceptions. She views each
person as a garden needing care and patience, to create a calmer more relaxed
way of living that allows individuals to face everyday challenges with
strength, courage, and reduced stress. She has been a guest on NBC's Today
Show, a regular on the lecture circuit, and has been featured in numerous
magazines. Learn more at www.wateringcanproductions.com.

About Girl Scouts:
Founded in 1912, Girl Scouts of the USA is the preeminent leadership
development organization for girls with 3.6 million members worldwide. Girl
Scouts of Central Maryland, now in its 45th year of service to girls in
central Maryland, piloted the first Beyond Bars program 14 years ago. It is
replicated in over 30 councils across the U.S. and is one of few designed to
address the needs of daughters of incarcerated mothers.
Contact Lisa Munns at lmunns@hmaassociates.com or (202) 342-0676 for more
information.

SOURCE Wateringcan Productions

Lisa Munns, +1-202-342-0676, lmunns@hmaassociates.com, for Wateringcan
Productions