Empower Me Returns!

We’re excited to introduce a new chapter for Empower Me, Self-Esteem Rising’s confidence-building curriculum for high schools, college campuses and corporations designed to help close the confidence gap.

The relaunch came to life during a day of mentorship and empowerment hosted by Northwell Health’s Long Island Jewish Medical Center in collaboration with the Hance Family Foundation. Students from The Mary Louis Academy, High School for Community Leadership and Maria Regina High School joined Northwell professionals for a panel discussion and interactive activities exploring confidence, leadership and the challenges that can come with pursuing your goals.

Our Empower Me "iceberg" activity invited participants to consider what lies beneath the confidence we see in others. Above the surface are achievements and outward poise. Below it are the self-awareness, resilience, decision-making skills and positive self-talk that help make those accomplishments possible.

Participants filled the display with personal reflections, celebrating everything from academic achievements and leadership roles to speaking up, building friendships and learning to believe in themselves. Alongside the panel discussion, the activity reinforced a meaningful message: even accomplished people can experience self-doubt, and encouragement from others can help us recognize what we’re capable of.

This event marks an exciting step forward for Empower Me, which we will continue developing in the coming months to help more women build confidence from within.

Our heartfelt thanks to Northwell’s Sara Parise, RN Director, Danielle Spitzer, Experience Strategy Director and Christine Patti, Community Outreach Manager for coordinating and collaborating with us to bring this meaningful and inspiring day together.

Beautiful Me at OLV

Beautiful Me at Our Lady of Victory School is led by Noreen Dodson, a very special teacher who has supported the Hance Family Foundation since its inception. We see big smiles and so much to be proud of as these students celebrate the qualities that make each of them special.

Did you know? Beautiful Me takes place at:⁠

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💚 Scout troops and youth organizations⁠

💚 Public, private and charter schools⁠

💚 Colleges and universities⁠

💚 Summer camps and after-school programs⁠

💚 Book clubs, libraries and community centers⁠

💚 Faith-based organizations⁠

💚 Nonprofits and social service agencies⁠

💚 Women’s groups and professional organizations⁠

💚 Senior centers and retirement communities⁠

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AND MORE! Learn how to bring Beautiful Me to your community at selfesteemrising.org.

Top 3 Confidence Club Lessons: September

You downloaded and we counted! Here are our three most downloaded free lessons from last month.

Download all lessons and activities at selfesteemrising.org/lessonplans!

💖 Featured Beautiful Me Teacher: October 💖⁠

Meet Nicole Arriaga, School Psychologist at St. Aidan’s on Long Island!⁠

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“As a parent and school psychologist, this program is truly inspiring. To be able to turn such a tragic situation into something that would forever impact the lives of girls around the world is what makes Beautiful Me so special. I am blessed to be a part of honoring the legacy of the Hance sisters with the school community I serve. It speaks to the resiliency of the human spirit and the unconditional love that exists between a parent and child. I have truly enjoyed working with the students at St. Aidan's and sharing this experience with them.”⁠

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We’re so grateful to have caring educators like Nicole helping girls discover their unique beauty and powerful voices.