Cassandra Cooper picked up the phone and called Girl Scouts Heart of the South with the simple idea of starting a troop. A past Girl Scout employee in Pennsylvania, Cassandra knew Girl Scouting would greatly benefit the group of troubled girls and teens she works with as a Residential Program Manager at Youth Villages’ Intensive Residential Treatment for Girls. Troop 10285 now meets twice a month at the Memphis campus with troop leaders Nina Jones and Stacey Levi, both GSHS Membership Managers. This is Girl Scouts at its core - without the uniform, badges, camping or cookies, just the leadership program with a really fun twist. Jones and Levi carefully plan out activities to be entertaining, yet educational, so the girls are engaged and learning to truly discover, connect and take action. “It’s rewarding. Sometimes I see the girls in there and see the improvements in the girls and I realize that this program is working and they are making strides in their personal lives,” says Levi. When the troop is asked what they’ve learned from Girl Scouting, they’re eager to share, “I’ve learned respect.”, “I’m more loyal.” and “I’ve learned how to be a more positive friend.” All desired outcomes that make Cooper smile. Each girl is a registered Girl Scout and the troop is supported by Youth Villages’ counselors and staff members. The girls cannot receive typical badges & patches due to Youth Villages policy, however Jones and Levi track all their accomplishment so when the girls return home they will be able to continue their Girl Scout experience.