The Greater Boston area is home to many exceptional nonprofits, but the ones that serve moms are especially close to our hearts. Boston Moms is excited to spotlight and support the local nonprofit organizations that make our area so great.
This month we are showcasing Strong Women, Strong Girls!
Strong Women, Strong Girls (SWSG) was founded in 2000 in Boston by a student group to facilitate mentorship opportunities for women and girls with the vision of having “every girl and woman realize her inner strengths to dream and do.” Many years later, their award winning, curriculum-based mentoring organization uses a multi-generational approach to serve the Boston community in incredible ways. Click here to DONATE!
Let’s learn a little bit more about Strong Women, Strong Girls‘ — and how you can help!
What is Strong Women, Strong Girls’ mission? The mission of SWSG is to empower the “next generation of female leaders through their innovative, multi-generational mentoring programs.” They use the advantages of mentorship, combined with an award-winning and research-based curriculum to build confidence, connections, and community. With their work focused in under-resourced communities, they’ve been successfully building a “pipeline of powerful and diverse female leadership that will transform opportunities for all women and girls.”
What is the “mutual cycle of empowerment”? SWSG joins three generations of women together in their approach. Girls in grades 3-5 are mentored by female college students from six Boston-area colleges. In turn, they receive guidance, encouragement, and support from professional women to help them network and develop agency. Simultaneously, the professional women build capacity as role models and leaders, investing in the next generation of female change-makers in our region.
What are the expected outcomes for the girls in elementary school? Every week (during the school year), girls participate in a mentoring session for an hour and a half. They engage in skills-building activities and games designed to draw out each girl’s inner strengths, go on field trips, do service projects and a whole lot more. Along the way, they build relationships with and learn about strong female role models and their peers, develop their leadership skills, and are exposed to different academic and career paths. Most importantly, they have a LOT of fun!
How can we support Strong Women, Strong Girls? You can support SWSG through your one-time or monthly DONATIONS. Your donation can be allocated to the Boston SWSG chapter directly. Additionally, you can dedicate your donation in honor or in memory of someone — which is a great gift for someone who “has everything”!
How can we get involved with Strong Women, Strong Girls? There are many ways to get involved with SWSG, whether you’re a parent looking to enroll your child, a young woman in college in the Boston area, or a professional. There are also opportunities to volunteer at an event or field trip or make an in-kind donation. You can also attend their annual community event, Jump Into Spring, on Saturday, April 29! SWSG also has partnership opportunities and offers programs for schools and community centers.
Where can I find Strong Women, Strong Girls? Check them out on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and their website.