Space of Her Own Seeks New Mentors

The nonprofit Space of Her Own is seeking new mentors for the upcoming school year.

Volunteer mentors make a one-year commitment to SOHO, offering guidance and support to participating preteens.

Old Town SOHO meets Thursday evenings from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the throughout the school year while West End SOHO meets Wednesday evenings at the same time at Hammond Middle School, 4646 Seminary Road.

The group, capped at 12 mentor-mentee pairs, offers weekly classes to teach young girls life skills such as healthy lifestyle habits, communiation and social skills.

At the end of the program, mentors and girls refurbish and decorate each girl's bedroom, designed with her own art projects made during the course of the year.

This year it received a free marketing campaign from Ad2DC, a volunteer group of young marketing professionals, which included SOHO's new website. A new logo, videos and other marketing materials were valued at over $100,000.

SOHO, founded in 2003 by Linda Odell of Alexandria's Court Service Unit and Alice Merrill of the Art League, is directed by volunteer social workers and teachers.