GSEM Silver Award Project Catalog

Helping LGBTQ+ Youth Feel Saved and Loved

Silver Award Team: Philippa G. of Troop 720

Issue: Many LGBTQ+ youth feel the need to leave their homes and seek shelter elsewhere. Root Cause: A lot of LGBTQ+ youth don’t feel safe and loved at home. Target Audience: At risk LGBTQ+ youth who are seeking shelter. Sustainability: The bags themselves can be used for other things, such as transporting belongings. Philippa also provided Covenant House a pdf copy of the journal for replications as needed. Issue: Kids with sensory needs require additional resources in school. Root Cause: The schools were unable to afford sensory friendly resources. Target Audience: The North County ECC and Wentzville SSD and their teachers. Sustainability: The Cadettes taught fourth and fifth grade Girl Scouts how to sew and how to make lap blankets and weighted stuffed animals. The girls also gave the troop leaders the patterns so that they could make these items themselves.

Project Details: After recognizing that many youth members of the LGBTQ+ community do not feel safe at home, Philippa from Troop 720 decided to take action to offer comfort and support by writing and sharing a journal. In the journal, she wrote supportive messages and provided resources for the readers.. The journal was digitalized and shared with Covenant House to use within their organization, as well as online to reach a further audience. In addition to the journal, Philippa put together duffel bags with essential items for youth seeking shelter.

Weighted Lap Blankets and Stuffed Animals

Silver Award Team: Troop 682

Project Details: Cadettes from Troop 682 wanted to do their part to help students with sensory needs succeed in school to earn their Girl Scout Silver Award. The Girl Scouts consulted with a local physical therapist and a classroom teacher to identify the best resources to provide the students. As a result of their research, they found that weighted blankets and stuffed animals were extremely helpful. They learned how to make homemade lap blankets and stuffed animals, and worked together to assemble the items that they then donated to the school. They also taught younger Girl Scouts how to sew so they could continue their project in the future.