Hermanas with One voice for Personal Empowerment (H.O.P.E), funded in part by a MetLife grant, is a Girl Scouts of San Gorgonio Council program that has helped girls from the Inland Empire gain a deeper understanding of themselves, their cultural heritage and their potential. With technology, such as social media, dominating the lives of many young people today, the H.O.P.E. program aimed to introduce an alternative form of self expression to local girls.

Nearly 300 girls from all five GSSGC regions — High Desert, Low Desert, Southwest, Central and Central West — registered for H.O.P.E. late last year. The program kicked off with an event at the University of Redlands. Opportunities for older girls to participate in Girl Scouting were unveiled, and the attendees were taught how to express themselves in positive ways through the arts. During the course of the program, volunteers and council members worked with the girls on individual “self-expression” projects. This event was made possible by Macys.

“Our girls chose to express themselves in painting, fashion design sketching, and pottery design. Earlier in the program, the girls’ first project focused on photojournalism and they had the opportunity to take pictures and write journal entries about their images,” said Mary Smithers, Membership and Community Development Manager for the High Desert region.

The artwork on display comes from students attending Del Rey Elementary, Irwin & The Academy, Green Tree East Elementary and Mariana Academy. Girl Scout staff invite the public to view the art collection at 17189 Yuma St. in Victorville, Ca. The art show will be on display until July 15, 2014.