Dear Awesome Girls Group Supporters,
Before, during, and after the pandemic, Girls Group’s work is essential to young women in our community. Whether we engage girls and young women individually or in groups, virtually, or in person, Girls Group makes a difference in the lives of the students we serve.
Girls Group is traditionally a very hands-on agency, and the majority of our programs occur weekly within the public schools. In order to stay on mission, and to serve the 600 participants whose needs are more urgent than ever, we quickly pivoted in early April 2020 to remote programming for the pandemic.
For Girls Group participants and their families, this has been a time of disproportionate struggles academically, social-emotionally, financially, and in terms of physical health. We have been working throughout the pandemic, to address the trauma, grief, and anxiety inherent in these difficult times.
Girls Group virtual/online sessions are fun, interesting, engaging, and aimed at generating active participation. We use a staff mentorship and peer-to-peer support model that provides space to meet others, make friends, and openly share successes and challenges in an environment that is supportive and free from judgement.
At a time when Girls Group participants should be forming lasting connections and making plans for their futures, they were forced to navigate uncertainty and difficult virtual learning, and isolate themselves from friends and family members. Many began acting as caregivers for siblings or relatives, and started/continued jobs as essential workers.
Despite these dramatic changes and hardships, Girls Group showed up and inspired every day. Thanks so much for supporting these essentials programs.
– With gratitude from Girls Group staff, participants, and families