News 12 @11 o'clock - July 12, 2008

AUGUSTA, Ga - Making new friends and strutting her stuff is something thirteen year old Aunjelle loves to do, but while she's ripping the runway; she's also getting a whole new look on life.

"The best thing that happened to me today--it's good to know its just more than one person going through what I'm going through," said Aunjelle, a camper.

She's growing up in one of the 1.3 million households living in public housing in the US. An upbringing that national studies say puts children like her at a higher risk for drug and alcohol abuse, pregnancy, violence and crime. They also are at a higher risk for dropping out of school.
That's why the sister's only club is stepping up to help and partnering with the Augusta Housing Authority in hopes of making a difference, one girl at a time.

"Sisters Only have provided an opportunity for young ladies who don't get outside of thier community and be exposed to these things," said L. Reta Thomas of the Augusta Housing Authority.

The things that are also valuable life lessons the group wants Augusta's young women to learn...before it's too late.

"We wanted to give them a message on life skills like money management, beauty, health and hygiene, self-esteem and all the things that are going to make them productive women," said Cher Best, founder and president.

And for Aunjelle, that's a lesson worth learning.

"I''ve been pressured to do some drugs but now that I know--I'm going to say no! " said Aunjelle.

At the end of the camp, each girl took home a bag filled with items just for them and a certificate of achievement.

The Sisters Only club says the day was such a success they decided to mentor them for the rest of the year.