2012 BLOOM Workshop Information and Press Kit

Introduction
In todays American society, girls and women often connect their self-worth to their relationship statuses. Many times, a girl or woman will consider her role as someones partner the central focus of who she is, wrapping her identity up in her partner and the relationship. A girl or woman often will change to fit the mold of what her partner want her to be, to look like. She can lose herself in the relationship. And if they are single, females can feel the societal pressures to be in a relationship and often will feel unworthy or that something is wrong with them. Scared they will be alone the rest of their lives, girls and women often will remain in unhealthy relationships, whether they are with someone that is simply not right for them or remains with an individual that treats them less than they deserve. This has to stop. We need to raise our standards of treatment in romantic relationships. Fighting all the time is not OK. Being with a partner that tries to control you, manipulate you and lie to you is not love. Crying every day is not a healthy relationship. Being unsatisfied, bored and unhappy all the time is not what you deserve in this life. We must remind girls and women what they deserve. And that their romantic relationship statuses do not define them. That is what BLOOM is about: believing, loving, owning, overcoming and moving forward, so that each girl and woman can be happy in a relationship that is right for her.

FAQ
What exactly is BLOOM? BLOOM is a workshop program to help teen girls and women recognize what they want and remind them what they deserve in a healthy romantic relationship. Established in 2012, this program is a female-focused initiative against disrespect and unhappiness in romantic relationships, and utilizes activities and discussion to increase awareness regarding common romantic relationship issues and experiences. So what are BLOOMs key messages? What does BLOOM stand for? BLOOM stands for the programs five key messages as they relate to romantic relationships:

o o o o o

Believing Loving Owning Overcoming Moving forward

Aside from what each letter stand for, BLOOM as a whole stands for healthy romantic relationships. BLOOM wishes to send the message to all females: You deserve respect. You deserve love. You deserve to be free to be yourself and happy in a relationship.

How does BLOOM work? The goal of BLOOM is to allow teen girls and women to discuss common relationship situations and empower them to recognize what they deserve in a relationship. BLOOM also spreads the message that self-worth should not depend on relationship status. These goals are achieved through a workshop consisting of: Individual and group-based activities Personal examples and stories Video clips Discussion

BLOOM workshops often discuss common relationship issues such as: Cheating Deception Disrespect Feeling stuck Not feeling good enough Rejection/Dealing with a break-up Feeling inadequate due to singleness Maintaining happiness Recognizing and communicating what you want Creating and maintaining trust

Participants can also learn how to recognize: What they want in a partner What they consider and do not consider to be healthy behaviors in a romantic relationship How to begin to move on from past relationship experiences How they are not alone in dealing with common relationship issues

How long is a BLOOM workshop? Generally, a BLOOM workshop is 90 minutes to two hours. However, because the topics can go more or less in-depth, the allotted time can be adjusted based on the required needs of the group. Who should attend a BLOOM workshop? Girls and women, ages 13 and up. Whether you are single, dating, in a relationship or breaking up, BLOOMs key messages address common situations almost any female faces at one point or another. BLOOM reiterates messages of self-worth and empowerment messages most girls and women often need to hear, whether you are in a relationship or not, and offers lessons you can use throughout your life.

BLOOM workshops are a great fit to utilize within a variety of female-focused groups and initiatives, such as: o o o o o o o o o o o o o Sororities Health classes First Year Experience School orientations Life Skills Female sports camps Summer camps Female-focused non-profit organizations Community centers Counseling centers Womens resource and behavioral centers College Residence Life programs College student success centers

Who facilitates BLOOM workshops? BLOOM workshops are led by BLOOM founder, Lindsay Henry. Following her graduation from St. Charles High School in St. Charles, Mich., Lindsay experienced a difficult breakup that ultimately inspired her to study the ins, outs and unfortunate ends of relationships. She went on to graduate summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Applied Arts degree in Interpersonal Communication and earned a masters degree in Communication from Central Michigan University. Lindsay has performed extensive research on female identity and relationship communication; her masters thesis research focused on how women cope with romantic relationship termination. After completing her thesis and having a life-changing conversation with a friend over coffee, Lindsay decided to use her passion and research to start a workshop program dedicated to empowering and discussing romantic relationship issues with young girls and women, and BLOOM was born. In addition to her studies, Lindsay holds experience facilitating and leading formal and informal groups. She has facilitated focus groups for The Dow Chemical Company, as well as lead student/staff focus groups at Alma College. Lindsay has served as an instructor of communication and public speaking courses at Central Michigan University, and she also has taught resume and job-building skills to correctional facility inmates. Lindsay is currently a member of the communications committee of Girls on the Run Saginaw Bay, and she is excited to reach girls and women through BLOOM. 5

How much does a BLOOM workshop cost? Though cost varies depending on size and type of group, generally, the cost per participant is $15 for a 90-minute BLOOM workshop. How do I learn more about BLOOM or Lindsay? To learn more about BLOOM, visit the BLOOM website at www.timetobloom.org, the Facebook page at www.facebook.com/startblooming, or by email at startblooming@timetobloom.org. To contact BLOOM Founder Lindsay Henry directly, you may call (989) 714-7108 or email: lindsaymariehenry@gmail.com.