The me and my commUnity Experience
Guiding young women through personal development,
community awareness, and collaborative problem solving.
Be the Difference by Making a Difference
me & my commUnity, created by Diane Meiller & Associates, Inc., is a three-part mentoring program that connects young women with business and community leaders to explore real community challenges. Participants develop leadership skills, build confidence, and learn how collaboration and mentorship can create meaningful change—both in their community and in their own future.
KICK - OFF
This afternoon session introduces participants to the program experience while providing the opportunity to hear from an inspiring keynote speaker. During the session, young women will learn what to expect throughout the program, be assigned to teams, and meet their teammates as well as their designated mentor(s), setting the foundation for collaboration, connection, and success.
COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP AND MENTORING
During this session, each team works closely with its assigned mentor to develop a solution to a current community issue. Mentors are thoughtfully matched to teams based on their professional background and experience to ensure relevant guidance and real-world insight. Participants who successfully attend all three days of the program qualify for an excused absence from Orange County Public Schools (OCPS).
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Teams are assigned a specific issue to analyze and are provided with background materials to support their work. Each team is also given a fictitious budget of $200,000 to design a creative, practical solution and accompanying implementation plan. Using their OCPS-issued laptops, participants conduct additional research and collaboratively prepare a comprehensive presentation that outlines the issue, its community impact, the proposed solution, budget allocation, and the rationale for its anticipated success.
At the conclusion of the day, teams present their solutions to their peers, with each member actively participating. Presentations are evaluated by fellow participants using a rubric that measures teamwork, collaboration, effective use of budget, creativity, and overall presentation quality. Scores are tallied to determine a winning team.
COLLEGE AND CAREERS
DM&A’s me & my Future is a half-day program designed to guide participants in thoughtfully planning their educational and career paths beyond high school. Through interactive activities, an engaging keynote speaker, and practical discussions, the program helps young women explore their interests, understand their options, and make informed decisions about their future.
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The session provides valuable insight into what to expect in college, including financial responsibilities, selecting or changing a major, identifying career and internship opportunities, and choosing the college or university that best aligns with individual goals. By breaking down these complex decisions, the program equips participants with the knowledge, confidence, and tools needed to create a clear and realistic plan for their next steps.
At the conclusion of the program, each participant receives a signed certificate of completion. Only program graduates are eligible to apply for the Charlotte Rath Memorial Scholarship, further supporting their continued educational journey.
