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Girl Scouts Beyond Bars Program is vividly documented in "Troop 1500"
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – 3/30/06
Program companion website: http://www.pbs.org/independentlens/troop1500/
Mothers with Fabulous Daughters – a Girl Scouts Beyond Bars program of the Girl Scout Council of Cannon Valley is one of 24 such programs around the country in 18 states where girls are united through Girl Scout programming with their mothers who are incarcerated. In this Minnesota program, teenage girls and “tweens”(younger girls) meet once monthly and engage in discussion and activities among their age groups. Another monthly meeting is spent visiting their moms at the Minnesota State Correctional Facility for Women in Shakopee where mothers and daughters can interact together.
The story of a Texas Girl Scouts Beyond Bars Program called Troop 1500 was made into a documentary of that name by Ellen Spiro and Karen Bernstein. These filmmakers have taken an inside look at the struggles and successes of families torn apart by these circumstances and documented them in this film about an innovative Girl Scout program that strives to preserve and strengthen the bond between girls and their incarcerated moms.
TROOP 1500 will be broadcast on Twin Cities Public Television (TPT) through the Independent Lens series and aired on TPT Channel 2 on Sunday April 9 at 11:00 p.m. and again on Monday, April 10 at 9:00 p.m. on TPT Channel 17. This film poignantly reveals how Girl Scouts Beyond Bars works to help these at-risk young girls deal with their unique circumstances and break the cycle of crime within families. As inspired as it is controversial, the program is part of the Girl Scout organization's continuing effort to meet, serve and empower girls in all circumstances.
Filmed on location at the Hilltop Prison in Gainesville, it follows four young troop members -- Caitlin, Naomi, Mikaela and Jessica -- whose mothers are serving time. Once past the metal prison bars, the girls of Troop 1500 fall into the arms of the mothers they seldom see: Kenya, Ida, Susan, and Melissa. At times crying, at others laughing, they pull out report cards and pictures, and pass along “hellos” from grandparents and absent brothers. At the conclusion of each monthly meeting in the prison library, the girls and moms form a circle and recite the Girl Scout Promise in unison: “ On my honor, I will try to serve God and my country, to help people at all times, and to live by the Girl Scout law ”. They close by singing “Day Is Done.”
This broadcast takes place at the same time we are celebrating four successful years of our Mothers with Fabulous Daughters group. It also coincides with the 94 th birthday of the Girl Scout organization, explained Lynn Vincent, CEO of the Girl Scout Council of Cannon Valley. “After 94 years most people think they know Girl Scouts but this incredible film will give them a look at Girl Scouts they don't know, girls we serve in southern Minnesota.”
After seeing Troop 1500 the girls involved with Mothers with Fabulous Daughters were offered an opportunity to tell their story on the radio as part of an International Women's Day of broadcasting at KFAI – Radio Without Boundaries. Along with their leaders they planned the ½ hour broadcast schedule, pre-recorded interviews with two of the mothers in prison, and participated in the live interview broadcast on March 8. This interview can be heard on the KFAI website on the 17th Annual International Women's Day Celebration page at http://kfai.org/features/iwd_2006.htm then scrolling down to the 6:00-6:30 p.m. time slot and clicking on Mothers with Fabulous Daughters a Girl Scout Beyond Bars Program.
This experience challenged the girls to talk about their experience publicly where their growth in courage, confidence and character was demonstrated and their dedication to this Girl Scout program was affirmed.
About Girl Scouts:
Girl Scouts of the USA is the preeminent organization for and leading authority on girls with 3.7 million girl and adult members. Now approaching its 94th year, Girl Scouting builds girls of courage, confidence and character, who make the world a better place. The organization strives to serve girls from every corner of the United States, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands. For more information on how to join, volunteer, or donate to the Girl Scouts, call (800) GSUSA 4 U [(800) 478-7248] or visit www.girlscouts.org.
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