D.O.V.E.S afterschool program builds self-esteem, confidence in local elementary students

SALISBURY, Md.- West Salisbury Elementary School’s D.O.V.E.S. program is teaching female students life lessons they’ll use beyond the classroom.  It was made possible by grant funding from The Community Foundation of the Eastern Shore.

School Counselor and D.O.V.E.S. Instructor Amber Justice tells us she started the program 5 years ago and saw the grant as an opportunity to expand and reach more young girls.  D.O.V.E.S stands for Daughters of Value, Excellence, and Success.

It’s an after-school program with a goal of building students’ self-esteem and giving them tools to reach their fullest potential.

They’re also learning the importance of giving back as they’ve been working on arts and crafts projects that will be donated to the Wicomico Nursing Home.

Justice tells us it’s important to start pouring into youth early. “The girls now understand a little bit about who they are. They’re hearing from this side or this side that maybe you should be this or that instead of just being who they are. I also wanted to remind them that they have the whole world ahead of them,” Justice said.

“It makes me feel like I can do anything I want to do without anybody telling me I can’t. It makes me feel really, really happy on the inside,” Student Kyra Atta-Obeng said.

Justice also tells us the hope is to continue expanding the program to other schools in the future.