A new Girls Club opens a world of creativity, growth

The young girls who were gathered in the library's meeting room represented different ages, sizes and cultures. Wearing bright T-shirts and expectant faces, they sat in folding chairs in a semicircle, little feet dangling above the floor. Each one paid rapt attention as their dynamic leader, Annie Hagert, talked about things like individuality, creativity, making new friends, and art.

Such was the scene at the first meeting of Hagert's Girls Club.

When school is out, many kids spend time at the beach, play sports or attend camp, but others - those with language barriers, from low-income homes, or with no transportation - don't have the same opportunities.

Things are different this summer at South Philadelphia's Free Library. Hagert, 58, a licensed social worker, won $5,000 from Avon's Hello Tomorrow Fund this spring. She is using it to launch Girls Club, a program that focuses on art as a means to learn life skills for girls ages 6 to 13.

Hagert had been applying for grants unsuccessfully for about three years until she learned about Avon's fund. Each week since April 2007, it has awarded $5,000 to individuals who submit applications to start programs or projects that empower women and improve society. Her submission was chosen from 1,300 weekly entrants by a panel of judges including personal finance expert Suze Orman.

Hagert wanted an artistic learning venue that would encourage interaction among students from all races, backgrounds and cultures; 30 years' experience as a social worker has shown her the isolation that underprivileged and immigrant children face.

"Stereotypes and fear interfere with connections and building self-esteem," she said. "I wanted them to have a chance to really get to know someone who's different from them."

Librarians at South Philadelphia Free Library hand-picked girls who were regulars at the library - some Cambodian, Vietnamese and Filipino - to participate in the club. With their parents' permission, they signed up to learn about topics like personal goals, respect, community, self-esteem and being responsible. Each two-hour class includes discussion and projects using paint, photography, sculpture or music to communicate messages in a fun, friendly way.

Hagert had purchased supplies and hired aspiring artists from the University of the Arts to assist the class of about 13. She has allotted $2,500 for each four-week session and doesn't think she'll go over budget.

"These girls are darling," Hagert said. "They are in pairs of sisters and cousins, which is the way immigrant culture works. They are giggly, stalwart and brave."

Many of the girls arrived early July 21 for the first class, eager and excited. "I was happy to be asked to join," said 10-year-old Dalyia Eng. "I get bored in the summer. I asked if my sister Christina [who is 6] could come."

Tatiana Reese, 7, comes to the library every day. "It's fun to be around people, plus they have air-conditioning," she said.

"I never had a nice teacher like Annie before," added Dalyia, her dimples showing when she smiled.

Miranda Holland, 9, was accompanied by her mom, Dawn.

"Miranda saw the flyer and wanted to sign up," Holland said. "All four of my kids are involved with the library programs, and they're all wonderful; they keep the kids occupied and off the streets."

After introductions were made and the program explained to the girls, they hopped, skipped and giggled over to a table to make name tags. Each focused intently on their work, expressing their personalities with hearts, flowers, squiggles and rainbows.

Later, Hagert showed them samples from a book for their personal-portrait project. The girls were intrigued and inquisitive: "Can I touch it?" and, "Do you have to draw your whole body?"

The seeds for the Girls Club were planted in the 1970s when Hagert worked with art therapists at Woodburn Mental Health Center in Virginia. She loved their techniques and incorporated them into her later work abroad. Based in Bangkok, she provided psychiatric support for families of employees who had relocated.

Girls Club will hold its final summer event, a gala video show/art exhibit, from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m., Aug. 18, at the library. Although the current session is fully enrolled, Hagert wants to add additional sessions and has already applied for more grants to fund them.

"I've never been able to afford to do all this before," she said after the first class came to a close. Hagert is having the program's videographer film each child talking about her portrait. She also discovered an art competition for immigrant children that she hopes the girls can enter.

"To be able to give the children all this is terrific."