Alumnae Club FAQ to download a printer friendly version of the Alumnae Frequently Asked Questions Sheet.

What is the YWLP?

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the YWLP Alumnae Club?

The YWLP Alumnae Club is a service-based component of the Young Women Leaders Program supported by a grant from UCF’s Burnett Honors College. Previous and current Little Sisters from Lawton-Chiles, South Seminole, and Tuskawilla Middle are invited to attend meetings and events of the Alumnae Club. Through the continuation of YWLP lessons, small community projects, and educational and social events, the Alumnae Club strives to foster civic engagement, healthy self image, academic vigor, and critical thinking.

What is the Commitment?

The Alumnae Club plans to meet two times per month.  We encourage your daughter to attend as many events as she can, but attendance is not required.  At the initial meeting at the beginning of the semester, Alumnae Club participants will decide on the dates and times of all activities for the semester.  Parents/guardians can either are responsible for arranging transportation to and from meetings and activities. Parents/guardians can authorize the Big Sisters to help transport you daughter by completing the enclosed permission form.  Parents may also elect to transport their daughters themselves.

What will participants in the YWLP Alumnae Club do?

Three components are included the Alumnae Club.

1.Lessons are designed to continue thinking about YWLP lessons on subjects such as healthy relationships, keeping your focus, and examining how the media impacts us.  We will include creative and fun activities and discussions to address these serious issues.

2.Educational and Social Events enable participants to continue their connections with one another while participating in interesting and engaging social events with an educational purpose. Some examples include “Girl Power” movie nights, Around the World Potlucks, and Mock Elections.

3.Service Events will give participants a chance to apply their leadership skills and work towards achieving a common goal as a team. Potential projects include being a Youth Baseball Buddy for Central Florida Miracle League, completing a park clean-up, volunteering with Pet Rescue by Judy, or having a book drive for Orlando’s Beta Center.   Participants will decide as a team about their service events. 

We would like the participants to have a sense of ownership in this program, so specific activities will be determined democratically at the group’s first meeting during the first weeks of the semester.  

How long does the program last?

The program starts in late August and runs through late November and begins again in late January and runs through April.

Who are the Big Sisters?

The Big Sisters of the YWLP are enthusiastic and hardworking UCF undergraduate and graduate women.  All Big Sisters have gone through a careful interview and selection process and are committed to building relationships with middle-school girls in their community. These collegiate women have been trained and verified by the Seminole County School Board in order to work as mentors to your daughters. They have also completed the YWLP training program, specifically designed to prepare them for the curriculum and program needs. Beyond the regular mentoring sessions, Big Sisters attend bi-weekly lesson planning sessions with the UCF Women’s Studies Program. Each Big Sister is accountable to a confidentiality agreement and the standards set by the Seminole County School Board.

Who can I contact to get more information? Feel free to contact the Alumnae Club Coordinator, Barbara Swift at bswift@mail.ucf.edu with any further questions.