By EMILY SPARACINO / Staff Writer

CHELSEA – A program aimed at boosting girls’ self-esteem and fostering their leadership skills is accepting new members in Shelby County.

A local chapter of Girl Talk, an international non-profit mentoring program for girls in fourth through ninth grade, began holding sessions every other Monday and Thursday at the Chelsea Public Library.

“We have gotten started and are still accepting new members,” Chelsea chapter co-founder Stephanie Rowe said. “We have been going about a month now.”

Rowe and Amanda Graves, who work with Thirty-One Gifts, formed the chapter based on their company’s philanthropic efforts.

“We’re directors at Thirty-One Gifts,” Rowe said. “Girl Talk is one of the things that Thirty-One helps sponsor. We started Girl Talk because we’ve learned so much about their program.”

The Chelsea chapter meets from 6:30-7:30 p.m. on designated nights at the library.

High school girls mentor middle school girls and talk about friendships, bullying, study habits, peer pressure, body image and other topics that affect young and teenage girls.

“We have found studies that show girls’ self-image peaks at age 9, so we want to get in early with these girls,” Rowe said. “The girls seem to like it.”

The Chelsea chapter usually holds meetings four times a month, and girls are encouraged to attend meetings at least twice a month.

Girl Talk is free for participants, who can sign up for meetings onsite and bring friends. Participants do not have to live in Chelsea.

“We have no limit for attendance,” Rowe said. “On average per meeting we have five to eight girls, and we have had as many as 11. We’re looking into other possible locations for when we outgrow the library.”

The Chelsea chapter’s sessions will continue indefinitely, Rowe said.

A community project is tentatively scheduled for December.

“We’re just offering what we can right now,” Rowe said. “They’re really enjoying it.”

For more information, visit Chelsea Chapter Girl Talk on Facebook.com.