As a life coach and Crohn’s disease survivor, Allegra Cohen knows first hand the power of resilience and a positive mindset.
The Voorhees resident’s journey inspired the launch of the Summer Sisters program, a week-long empowerment camp for young girls.
“After being featured in Virtua Hospital’s campaign for their new IBD (Inflammatory Bowel Disease) Center, I realized how many people sought my help for their children dealing with various challenges, from chronic illness to anxiety and bullying,” Cohen recalled.
“Seeing the transformation in my young clients, I wanted to extend this sense of community and connection to more girls.”
The Summer Sisters program – scheduled for the week of Monday, Aug. 19 – offers a holistic approach to empowerment. Each day from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Cohen’s home, participants engage in a variety of activities designed to foster self-love and resilience. They include circle discussions, dancing, gratitude exercises, journaling, mindfulness techniques and role-playing.
The program is structured to provide a judgment-free zone where girls can fully express themselves and build lasting connections.
The program specifically addresses the often daunting transition from elementary to middle school. So Cohen came up with Empowerment Circles.
“These circles offer a supportive environment where girls can share their experiences and grow together,” she explained. “It’s not therapy, but a transformative journey powered by community support.
“Our goal is to help each girl embrace her uniqueness and build resilience.”
Confidence building is at the heart of the program. Activities such as movement, affirmations, power posing, vision boards and celebrations of personal wins are used to boost self-esteem. Social skills are also a key focus, with techniques drawn from Cohen’s background in acting and film production.
“We incorporate performance aspects like role playing, icebreakers, and vocal exercises to help girls navigate social situations with confidence,” she noted.
Addressing bullying is another crucial component of the program. Cohen’s personal experience with bullying in fifth grade later translated into wisdom.
“I teach the girls skills to cope with bullying and encourage them to stand up for themselves and others,” she explained. “Open communication with parents is also essential, and we provide resources to continue the conversation at home.”
Parents are integral to Summer Sisters, emphasizes Cohen, who sets up open dialogues with parents before and after the program.
“Parents receive daily updates and resources to help reinforce the activities at home,” she pointed out. “By setting a positive example, parents can help create a supportive environment for their children.”
Cohen describes herself as the program’s chief joy officer, integrating that joy and empowerment into all her programs.
“Joy is a powerful tool for personal growth,” she said. “Teaching young girls to make intentional choices with their energy and find joy in their everyday lives builds a strong foundation for their future.”
Cohen wants to expand her reach beyond the Summer Sisters program.
“I’m writing a book on resilience and joy, and I plan to educate schools, camps, and families on these topics,” she emphasized. “I also offer one-on-one coaching and am launching a new program, Braving Your Bar/Bat Mitzvah, to guide children through their special day with confidence.”
For more information on the Summer Sisters program, visit www.abundancebyallegra.com or follow Allegra Cohen on Instagram @allegracohen. To register for the program, schedule a call at https://calendly.com/allegracohen/summer-sisters.
