This spring, the South Shore YMCA proudly launched the pilot cohort of Show Your True Self, a new empowerment program for teen girls rooted in confidence, connection, and leadership. The program was based in the new Phyllis Godwin Empowerment Center, located inside the Hale Family YMCA in Quincy, a space created to inspire girls and women to recognize their potential and claim their voice.
A Program That Builds Confidence and Sisterhood
Launched in April, the nine-week pilot cohort brought together five young women for a transformational experience focused on self-discovery and personal growth. What began as a group of quiet acquaintances quickly evolved into a supportive sisterhood, one built on trust, encouragement, and shared confidence.
The curriculum is grounded in the principles of Maria Wood-Smith’s Fearless Focus Program, a structured approach that helps children and teens develop self-confidence, resilience, and leadership skills. Each week, participants gathered in a safe, welcoming environment to reflect, share, and grow with the guidance of consistent, caring mentors.
“Spending time with the girls over the past 9 weeks, we have seen an evolution,” shared Jennifer Christenson, Development Director at the South Shore YMCA, who has been instrumental in bringing the program’s first cohort together. “They have evolved from a few girls that may have seen one another around or known one another superficially into a circle of trust that will continue to uphold each other as they progress through these critical weeks, months, and years.”
Learning Beyond the Y
Thanks to the generous sponsorship of Citywide Facility Solutions, participants also had the opportunity to attend the Lead Like Her Leadership Breakfast at the College of the Holy Cross, hosted by Be Like Brit. The experience exposed the girls to women leaders and reinforced the message that they belong in every room where decisions are made.
Celebrating Growth and Graduation
On June 2, the YMCA celebrated the graduation of the inaugural Show Your True Self cohort. Participants shared heartfelt reflections on how the program helped them become more confident versions of themselves. Over nine weeks, they gained not only skills, but a sense of belonging and belief in one another that will last well beyond the program.
A Space Rooted in Legacy: The Phyllis Godwin Empowerment Center
The success of this program is deeply connected to the space in which it lives, and the women who brought it to life.
The Phyllis Godwin Empowerment Center is a cornerstone of the South Shore YMCA’s 20,000-square-foot expansion at the Hale Family YMCA, created to serve as a hub for mentorship, leadership development, and connection for girls and women of all ages.
Named in honor of Phyllis Godwin, a trailblazing business leader and lifelong advocate for women, the center reflects a legacy decades in the making. As chief executive of Granite City Electric, Phyllis broke barriers in a male-dominated industry and became the first woman to chair the South Shore Chamber of Commerce in 1996, after being the only woman on its board for more than a decade.
Recognizing the power of collective support, Phyllis helped launch the Women’s Business Connection, a group dedicated to leadership development, mentoring, and networking for professional women. That same spirit of women supporting women came full circle in 2025, when many of those leaders rallied around Phyllis and, through their generosity and philanthropic support, made the Empowerment Center and its programs possible at the South Shore YMCA.
“Women need to see what’s possible. They need to know they belong in every room.”
— Phyllis Godwin
Today, that vision lives on inside the Empowerment Center bearing her name, where the next generation of girls is learning exactly that.
Gratitude for Dedicated Volunteers
The pilot program would not have been possible without the dedication of volunteers Sue Daniello and Barbara Moriarty, who showed up week after week to provide a consistent, safe, and encouraging space. Their commitment created the foundation these young women needed to thrive.
Looking Ahead
The success of the Show Your True Self pilot has sparked momentum for what’s next. This fall, the South Shore YMCA will officially launch the program for girls ages 12–15, while also expanding teen empowerment efforts to include a dedicated afternoon space for young men each week. Y members will also find ongoing empowerment programs in the space, such as mothers’ and parents’ groups, job fairs for teens, self care workshops, and events to strengthen community connection.
As the YMCA continues to grow this vital work, community support remains essential. Opportunities are available for volunteers and donors who believe in the power of youth to lead, grow, and thrive.
Together, we are building more than programs—we are building confidence, community, and a lasting legacy of empowerment.
