Teen testimony:

"The Young Women's Empowerment Group at Kennedy High school has had many circle groups speaking about controversial complex topics, but none of them have created the type of atmosphere that Monica organized. She led one specific activity that sent chills down the spines of all of its participants. As a group, we were instructed to all stand around each other while Monica read a few statements involving self confidence, self love, self destruction, and self awareness. If we agreed with said statements we were to walk to a designated area and if we didn’t agree we were directed to stay in place. This activity required only the movements of our feet, no words were spoken except those from Monica as she read the statements. One by one we walked back and forth deciding where we thought we fit best. Although no words were spoken by the participants, I learned more about the women around me on this day than I have at any other meeting I have attended. I quietly learned about my peer’s insecurities and anxieties. The back and forth created a raw and empathetic atmosphere. Everyone stood there facing each other with their hearts on their sleeves. We all sulked in each other's vulnerability and emotions. We all left that room with a better understanding of ourselves and of those around us. Sympathy and empathy are important qualities to have as a human being, and Monica's exercise reminded us all of that." ~Khadija F.