As Westbury turns its attention to gang activity among youth in the community, a native of the area is hoping to empower teenage girls throughout the nation to stay away from this and other troublesome behavior through the publication of a self-esteem guide.

Janice Ferebee, a native of Westbury and graduate of Westbury High School who is now an author, speaker and youth advocate, recently published an empowerment book for girls entitled, Got It Goin' On-II: Power Tools for Girls! The publication follows her first book, Got it Goin' On: An Image Awareness Guide for Young Ladies, which provided the foundation for a workshop series currently held at the National Capital YMCA of Metropolitan D.C., as well as other workshops throughout the country.

In announcing publication of Got It Goin' On-II to The Westbury Times, the author noted that she hopes this second book will "offer help, hope and healing to teenage girls.

"Girls often face increasing challenges which threaten their future; challenges such as boredom, loneliness, parental absence, neglect, depression, suicide, violence, gangs, early sexual activity, teenage pregnancy, low academic achievement, low self-expectations, mental/physical/sexual abuse, media exploitation and lack of spiritual guidance," Ferebee wrote, describing her purpose for writing the book.

She added, "Every girl deserves a happy, healthy and whole future. I wrote this book to enable more girls to experience the joys of being a girl, and to transition them into caring, confident, culturally, socially and spiritually competent young ladies. It is my prayer that Got It Goin' On-II will improve the quality of life for every 'girl' who reads it."

The book is a personal development guide geared toward African American girls ages 12 to 17. It includes sections on positive self-image, mental, emotional and spiritual fitness, physical fitness, education, financial and career goals, relationships, and saying "no" to drugs, violence and pre-marital sex. It also lists educational resources, hotline numbers and suggested reading.

The author's commitment to volunteering began at an early age, while she was a teenager at Westbury High School. She has achieved much success since then, including being the first African-American Models editor for Seventeen magazine. Ferebee, who holds a master's of social work degree from the University of Pennsylvania, has been featured locally and nationally on radio and television, including Black Entertainment Television's (BET) "Teen Summit."

Note: Got It Goin' On II is currently being distributed to schools, organizations and individuals, by African World Books. For more information, one may contact the author's website at www.janiceferebee.com.