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.