For more than six years, Girls Group has developed self-sufficiency in teenage girls in the Ann Arbor area from high risk, disadvantaged backgrounds.  This alliance of women is dedicated to helping high school girls achieve emotional and economic security through expanded educational and professional opportunities.  All programs provide a safe, nurturing environment where young women develop qualities and learn skills that enhance their self-confidence, leadership abilities, social consciousness, and sense of self-worth.  This development supplies the tools necessary for young women to define and realize personal goals that lead them to self-sufficiency and ensure their future success.

 As the latest of the Junior League’s signature projects, the three year partnership with the Girls Group has two major focuses.  The first component is a series of monthly seminars and presentations on topic related to the overall development of the Girls Group members as well as exposure to new opportunities.  Through these interactions, it is the Girls Group Committee’s goal to provide and share personal knowledge, skills and experiences while developing awareness and promoting leadership. 

The second piece of the collaboration will be to develop a one-on-one mentorship program for the members of Girls Group.  Participants will be matched with a Junior League member in order to provide positive, enriching interactions that will correspond to the monthly panels and presentations.  Not only will this bring together the Girls Group members with diverse, positive community leaders for networking, discussing and exploring growth opportunities, but provide an enrichment opportunity to the Junior League mentors themselves.

Overall, the partnership goals including:

• Exposure of Girls Group members to the Junior League members
• Providing increased social capital
• Assist members in learning new ways to network, think, and succeed
• Sharing experiences and life-lessons
• Providing and helping to develop a larger world view

To read more about Girls Group, please click here. 

To contact the Girls Group committee of JLAA, please email Michelle, Committee Chair at girlsgroup@jlaa.org.