Arts Holding Hands and Hearts (AHHAH), a community-focused nonprofit dedicated to empowering youth through arts, literacy, and mindfulness for equity and justice, is one of 6 finalist for the Great Dames 2024 Remarkable Ideas Competition. This national competition highlights innovative approaches to improving the lives of women and girls, and AHHAH’s groundbreaking Step Up, Step Out (SUSO) program for 8th – 12th grade girls in Coatesville is making waves. On Tuesday, July 23, from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. ET, AHHAH will take the virtual stage to pitch their transformative SUSO program during the competition’s finalist pitch event. This unique opportunity allows six outstanding women leaders to present their visionary ideas for creating lasting impact, and AHHAH’s founder, Jan Michener, will be at the forefront of this esteemed event. In their pitch, AHHAH will showcase “Step Up, Step Out” , a powerful initiative program that provides a supportive environment for young women to explore personal development and community activism. The program is a testament to AHHAH’s commitment to nurturing young women who are prepared to be leaders and tackle systemic challenges such as the broken school system, broken carceral system, racial inequality, and economic disparities.
AHHAH has won national awards for their expressive arts workshops they lead with youth who
are incarcerated at the Chester County Youth Center. The idea for SUSO originated last
summer when one of AHHAH’s board members said that AHHAH needs to do a program for
girls in Coatesville because “Girls in Coatesville are fighting”.
The AHHAH team did a presentation for the Let’s Talk Community Solutions for the Alliance for
Health Equity last July for a self-care, well-being leadership program for girls in high school. At
the event Jan met Abigail Sikes, owner of Forgiving Gifts, which is about “healing past trauma,
and unforgiveness when we don’t know how to forgive ourselves”. Gail would later become a
vital part of the SUSO program.
The “Step Up, Step Out” program is built on a robust framework:
Self-Care and Wellness: The first ten weeks Fall session focus on creating a self-care tool
kit, and understanding stress, trauma, and mental health and restorative practices to create a
safe space for emotional healing.
Leadership Development: The second ten-week Winter session emphasizes team building,
leadership skills, and social issues. The participants learn to identify different leadership
personalities and what each type needs to feel supported, appreciated, and to thrive. They identify which issue(s) they feel most passionate about that they want to “Step Up, Step Out and Speak Up, and Speak Out” to create community dialogue and action for change.
Community Action: In the final 10 weeks Spring session the participants create an action plan around which issue(s) they want to initiate that will bring the community together to cultivate a community of mutual aid and support.
AHHAHs innovative approach not only supports the girls in the program but also engages them
in meaningful community service, thus amplifying their impact.
The Remarkable Ideas Competition offers a grand prize package worth over $25,000. This includes a $10,000 cash award, business mentorship, and a comprehensive suite of business services. The competition features a panel of judges who have selected AHHAH from a pool of National applicants, underscoring the significance of their work. The event will be hosted by Great Dames, and while the pitch is open to members, non-members are also welcome to attend by making a donation. Attendees can look forward to a dynamic and inspiring session where AHHAH will present their Step Up, Step Out, Make A Difference program for girls.
Brittney Richardson, a mentor for AHHAH SUSO girls, reflects on the mutual benefits of the program. “We all have something inside of us that we are healing alongside the girls,” Richardson says. “This journey is about community support and coming together to create a better environment for all.” As AHHAH gears up for the competition, the community’s support continues to be a cornerstone of their success. The upcoming pitch is not just a chance for AHHAH to secure funding but also an opportunity to share their impactful work with a broader audience.
Supporters are invited to join the virtual pitch event on July 23. Whether you are a member of the Giving Circle or a community member, your participation and donations will contribute to the success of this inspiring initiative.
To attend the virtual event or make a donation, visit https://www.greatdames.com/events.
Learn more about Arts Holding Hands and Hearts on their partner page!
