Programs

College Prep

Girls Group provides College Prep support to high school seniors, as well as younger Girls Group participants. Girls Group supports the young women to attend the annual tour of HBCU's (Historically Black Colleges and Universities), as well as numerous other college tours. Girls Group mentors meet with the young women individually and in groups to focus on applications, essays, ACT prep, scholarships, and financial aid.

For the young women who are now in college, Girls Group has monthly dinners for girls who are in Washtenaw County during the school year, and for all college girls during the summer. We also have an annual scholarship fund. Girls Group helps with transportation to and from the universities and helps with dorm supplies and moral support. The current first-generation college students are attending school at: Cleveland Job Corps, Eastern Michigan University, Ferris State, Jackson Community College, Michigan State, Oakland Community College, Saginaw Valley, Tuskegee University, Washtenaw Community College, Wayne State, Western Michigan, and Wiley College.

Wraparound Programming

Girls Group facilities weekly discussion groups with students from ten high schools in Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti. Discussion topics cover a range of issues, designed to build emotional, physical, spiritual, and social health.

In-School Programming

Girls Group facilitates seven weekly discussion groups within the public schools. We have weekly groups at Huron High School, Pioneer High School and Pathways to Success. We also have weekly programs at Clague Middle School, Tappan Middle School, Scarlett Middle School and Slauson Middle School.

Both Wraparound Programming and In-School Programming cover five overarching themes, which are: (1) Academic excellence and college planning; (2) Life skills, goal setting, and economic self-sufficiency; (3) Identity development, resilience, and self-esteem; (4) Relationships with family, friends, and the community; and (5) Health and wellness of mind, body, and spirit.

Summer Camp

Girls Group provides a variety of summer experiences including college prep summer camps, employment opportunities, and ongoing programming. 

Girls Group supports participants to study at programs such as the Female Institute at James Madison University (Harrisonburg, Virginia), the Art Institute of Chicago, and the Tavis Smiley Leadership Institute on the UCLA campus.

One-on-One Mentoring

Girls Group mentors are available throughout the week for social and emotional support, as well as guidance and access to resources. Mentors are frequently called upon by Girls Group participants and mothers in emergency situations. Mentors support each young woman's individual vision of success. Girls Group understands that if a young woman can apply determination and discipline to succeed in one aspect of her life, she will later apply these skills to other aspects of her life. Mentors collectively and individually encourage each young woman's strengths in areas such as sports, music, writing, reading, and art.

Homework Support

Girls Group mentors are available throughout the week for homework support. Pat Shure, recently retired from the University of Michigan Mathematics Department, provides math tutoring to all interested students. Girls Group mentors help with individual homework assignments, organization skills, and acquisition of needed school supplies. Often Girls Group participants are in need of a quiet place to study and the use of a computer, and mentors often take the young women to the library so they can complete assignments.