GEM is a weekly afterschool program designed to increase self-esteem and school success for girls and help ensure that every girl in the Henderson County Public School (HCPS) system can thrive as they reach for their goals. GEM began in 2017 at Upward Elementary School for 5th grade girls and then expanded to Hillandale Elementary and Hendersonville Middle. Since then, UWHC has expanded it to ten locations.

"Programs like GEM give girls a place to connect and to have safe conversations about difficult topics. It is also a direct statement to them that the adults in the school, as well as adults in the community, value them enough to give them time and resources to help them grow,” said an HCPS teacher and GEM facilitator.

United Way of Henderson County offers the GEM program to both 5th graders and 8th graders, as these are pivotal years where students prepare to transition from elementary to middle school, and then from middle to high school. Currently the GEM program is hosted at all four HCPS middle schools -- Apple Valley Middle, Flat Rock Middle, Hendersonville Middle, and Rugby Middle – as well as at five elementary schools: Bruce Drysdale, Dana Elementary, Hillandale Elementary, Sugarloaf Elementary, and Upward Elementary. School. The Boys & Girls Club of Henderson County hosts a special session for rising 5th and 6th graders over the summer.

Educators and counselors from each school facilitate weekly GEM sessions in partnership with dedicated United Way staff. A signature feature of the GEM program is the recruitment of inspirational female community leaders to be guest speakers. They lead engaging discussions with GEM girls and share inspirational stories of how they faced challenges, endured setbacks, and overcame obstacles to reach their goals. A representative from Henderson County EMS, who volunteers with GEM sessions, told a recent graduating class, "The world needs you - your ideas, your kindness, your creativity, your courage... so as you move on to middle school and beyond, I want you to hold on to all of the new skills and ideas you have gathered in the GEM program, and carry them with you to the many successes you will experience in your futures."

A teacher noted the value of bringing professionals into the sessions, "Communicating to the girls that they are assets promotes their belief in their own self-worth." Recently the girls who participated in the 2025-2026 sessions shared their answer to the statement "GEM is..."

...where we can share our feelings.

...the best, encouraging place for me.

...the reason I can be myself and not be scared.

...a confidence booster.

...the best after-school activity I have ever done.

GEM participants are invited by educators and counselors, and the aim is to provide participants with both the encouragement and the opportunity to strengthen their self-confidence and to nurture the skills that will improve their academic success. Each weekly session introduces a particular character trait or topic as a theme, such as empowerment, confidence, inner beauty, perseverance, passion, and leadership. A parent of one of the girls shared, "I just wanted to thank you all for investing in [my daughter] and all the girls through GEM. Thank you for making time to build the girls' confidence and help them learn more about themselves and their dreams. You made a difference. Thank you!"

GEM is on track to expand to Clear Creek Elementary and Edneyville Elementary Schools in the 2026-2027 school year. To learn more about the GEM program, visit www.liveunitedhc.org/gem.