By Associated Press - Sunday, March 28, 2021

HATTIESBURG, Miss. (AP) - A Mississippi woman says she runs a mentoring program for preteen girls because she remembers feeling isolated at that age.

Elizabeth Reimonenq is a wife, mother and the owner of Magic Hands hair salon in Hattiesburg.

WDAM-TV reports that in 2013, she founded a community service organization dedicated to helping girls between 10 and 12.



”I just remember being a child at the age of 10-11. Too old to be a part of some things, too young to be a part of some things. And at that age I just kind of felt left out,” Reimonenq said.

She grew up with five brothers and no sisters, and she looked to her peers for guidance.

“I never had anybody that I could really talk to, so I always tried to develop sisterhoods with my friends,” Reimonenq said. “I knew I wanted to help young girls who felt like I did.”

Her organization offers a range of activities, including etiquette classes and health forums.

“I’ve been to almost every school in the Forrest County and Hattiesburg school district,” Reimonenq said.

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She is looking to expand the program by adopting a school and sponsoring an event for the girls in an entire sixth grade class.

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