Instilling confidence, battling self-esteem issues, fostering leadership and strengthening communities. These important objectives give girls brighter futures.
There are many inspirational programs on local, national and international levels that work toward these objectives. This month, we’re looking at one such program in Boston and Pittsburgh that serves as a powerful model of mentorship for at-risk girls. Strong Women, Strong Girls (SWSG) is an award-winning mentoring organization in the eastern United States. By utilizing a multi-generational model that involves young girls, college mentors and professional women, SWSG builds a community of strength and mutual empowerment.
The elementary school girls involved in SWSG are organized into small, curriculum-based groups that are led by trained college mentors. The groups study contemporary and historic female role models and participate in skill-building activities fostering confidence and leadership. In turn, the college mentors connect with professional women and are guided toward the career paths and futures they envision.
Successful programs like SWSG are inspirational to organizations here on the Central Coast that strive for the same objectives. For example, our own Community Foundation’s Women’s Legacy Fund is committing $100,000 over the next three years to fund programs that empower girls – and that’s just one of many exciting efforts taking place. It’s encouraging to look to SWSG as an example of support system that will strengthen the futures of generations of young women.
For more information or to get involved in Strong Women, Strong Girls, visit swsg.org.
