The Girls Dig Deeper Initiative (GDDI) is expanding its mentorship program to the South Bibb Recreation Center (7035 Houston Road) and is looking for girls to join. The first meeting is happening Thursday, October 5 and will last from 6:00 p.m. until 7:30 p.m.

GDDI is a girls group mentoring and youth development program in Central Georgia which serve youth in schools, communities, and incarcerated youth ages 13-17. They currently meet at the Rosa Jackson Recreation Center but will start offering the program at South Bibb Recreation Center every first and third Thursday of the month. South Bibb already offers a mentorship program for young men, but Center Supervisor Janice Shephard wanted to do something for the girls as well.

“We are hoping to reach as many young teenagers as possible,” said Shephard. “If only one girl comes and we make a difference, that means we have succeeded. With all the violence in the surrounding community, mental health, and social media issues, this is important now more than ever.”

The GDDI mentorship program at South Bibb is completely free. GDDI is a partner and recipient of grant funding from the Macon Violence Prevention (MVP). The girls will be part of the Winners’ Mindset program, which consists of components in leadership development, personal development, mental health and wellness, and conflict resolution.

“I feel great about expanding the program because we have an opportunity to reach more girls in the community, and provide a safe space for positive youth development and building positive relationships,” said GDDI Founder Najiva Timothee.

GDDI has received $15,500 in grant funding from Macon Violence Prevention. In the first round of funding, they received $5,500 and in the second round this year, they received $10,000 to offer leadership development programs designed to help young girls overcome barriers such as childhood poverty, chronic absenteeism, poor academic achievement, disability, adverse childhood experiences and community violence.