Girls Group serves 690 participants from middle school girls all the way through young women on their college and career journeys. Our Building for the Future program serves 300 middle school and 150 high school students in Washtenaw County. Our College and Career Prep program serves 50 high school juniors and seniors in Washtenaw County. Approximately 58% of our middle and high school participants live in Ann Arbor, 37% live in Ypsilanti, and 5% live in another Washtenaw County city or township. Our Women of Purpose program serves 240 young women on their college and career journeys.
Girls Group participants tend to be intelligent, enthusiastic, and goal-oriented. However, due to negative messages often received and perceived from educators, peers, and social media, they begin to believe that an academic orientation is not for them. Girls Group helps participants to build confidence and resilience. Participants are referred to Girls Group by teachers, counselors, principals, community members, family members, or girls who are already in the group. Many of our participants say that they initially come to the programs for the free pizza, but stay for the sisterhood they develop with Girls Group.
In their own words
“I have made lasting friendships and sisterhoods because of Girls Group. They have also made me want to be successful, and they have made me want to go to college… If I had not been introduced to Girls Group, I do not know where I would be today. I know that whenever I have a problem or question, I can go to someone from Girls Group and they will help me.”