SPRINGFIELD, MA (WGGB/WSHM) -- From social media pressures to self-doubt, teenage girls face unique challenges.  Now, there’s a new program in western Massachusetts designed to help them overcome those obstacles.

The Hampden District Attorney’s office calls it ‘Herizon.’  The program launched this fall with dozens of young girls finding empowerment through youth-focused programming.  “As young teenagers and young females, we do not really have self-confidence and we’re very, like, we accept whatever we are given,” said Rista Pradhan, a 16-year-old student at Putnam High School and Herizon’s first student ambassador. “Women should know their value and should know their rights.”

Hampden District Attorney Anthony Gulluni said ‘Herizon’ is the manifestation of an idea many years in the making.  “Coming through high school as a girl is a challenge and there are unique aspects to that versus boys and their contemporaries,” Gulluni explained.

‘Herizon’ tackles everything from social media pressures to self-worth and leadership opportunities. The program is modeled after the DA’s successful Youth Advisory Board.  “A lot of females don’t know their self-worth. They are always put down by either boys, classmates, peers, or even just social media. Like, they compare themselves. They judge themselves compared to what they see,” Pradhan added.  “Having a group of girls just talk about what they feel insecure about, like, an open space, it just feels really good.”

Halie Mathew leads the program and she divided the curriculum into three parts: self-empowerment, relationships, and community engagement.  “This is a pivotal point in a lot of people’s lives. You know, you’re old enough to be able to grasp larger concepts, like what you want to do or how you know yourself, but you’re still very young and impressionable,” Mathew said. “This is a time of your life where creating or being a part of something bigger than yourself or learning how to understand yourself better, doing it now in high school, will set yourself up on a track of success.”

During a recent ‘Herizon’ meeting focused on inner self and self-confidence, Mathew told participants the topic “is the key to life.”  She added, “When you believe in yourself, you start to realize… You start to know what it is that you deserve.”

For Pradhan and her peers, ‘Herizon’ is exceeding expectations.  “The DA’s office is about change. I’m glad they’re helping young teenagers create change too. I’m proud to be the first student ambassador,” she noted.

Sign-ups for Herizon are closed, but teens interested in joining next year can keep an eye on the DA’s office website and social media pages for updates.

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