We’ve found a few non-profits dedicated specifically to the developing of confidence of young girls in the United States, by teaching them practical skills or ways to express themselves. January is National Mentoring Month; take advantage, and sign up to local chapters of a nonprofit foundation that benefits young women.
Girls Who Code
We all know that STEM careers are male-dominated, and this organization is trying to change that; Girls Who Code is devoted to closing the gender gap in technology. While technology jobs are some of the fasted in the country, women continue to fall behind, a trend that has been getting increasingly worse since the 1980’s. By teaching girls to code, they become “change agents” in their communities, providing them with a multitude of skills in computer science that will help for life.
Girls Who Code is active in 42 states, and you can become involved by facilitating a Club, a free after-school program for 6th-12th grade girls to learn coding skills in a group environment to influence their communities. If you’ve acted as a teacher, tutor, or school volunteer, you only need 3-4 hours a week to become involved. No computer science experience is needed, just a passion for the initiative! Check out the Girls Who Code website for more information.
Girl Scouts of the USA
I am sure I’m not the only one reading this who can still recite the Girl Scout Promise by heart. As one of the largest leadership development organizations for girls in the United States, the Girl Scouts mission of “building girls of courage, confidence, and character, who make the world a better place” is currently reaching 1.9 million members. As a kid, there was nothing better than earning badges or getting together with your troop to go camping.
Girl Scouts USA currently boasts 800,000 adult members working as volunteers. You don’t need to be a troop leader to be part of the organization; you can just volunteer at meetings or field trips if that’s the level of commitment you’re interested in. You can read more at the Girl Scouts USA website. Did somebody say cookies?
Girls Write Now
Acting as “New York’s first and only writing and mentoring organization for girls,” Girls Write Now serves young writers from all five boroughs, the majority of who are in high need and of color, in an effort to give girls a voice. Through one-on-one mentoring, performances, and publications, the organization supports diverse voices and prepares students to be ready for college. Girls involved get to develop their writing skills and explore new ways to express themselves.
If you’re in the NYC area, you can get involved by donating, acquiring an internship, acting as a digital media volunteer, or even becoming a mentor if you have a few years of professional writing experience! Learn more on the Girls Write Now website.
Girls For A Change
Girls For A Change is an organization devoted to supporting young girls of color to “visualize their bright futures and potential” through discovery and development. The young women involved are invited to design and implement social change projects in their own communities to tackle issues they may face in their daily lives. Through after-school Action Teams and Change Your World Conferences, girls participate and learn the basics of social change in order to innovate back home.
Check out the Girls For A Change website to find out how you can become a Coach for an after-school Action Team, and bring to program to your own community!
