girls initiatives

Creating Pathways for Confidence, Leadership, and Belonging

About Girls Initiatives

YWCA NYC Girls Initiatives programs support girls as they explore their identities, strengths, and aspirations. Through mentorship, hands-on learning, and exposure to new opportunities, participants build confidence, leadership skills, and a sense of belonging that supports their growth in school and beyond.

Girls Initiatives 2025 Fall Semester Programs

October 1st – December 12th
Wednesdays, 4:30-6:00pm

Ambassadors is a year-long leadership and empowerment program for teen girls that explores the intersection of leadership and social justice. Through creative expression, critical dialogue, and community engagement, participants will develop their voices, learn advocacy skills, and ultimately design and launch their own social justice projects.

September 29th – December 8th
Mondays, 4:30-6:00pm

This program empowers juniors to explore postsecondary pathways, understand civic engagement, and develop public speaking skills to prepare them for life after high school. Seniors will participate in targeted monthly workshops to stay on track with the college application process.

September 29th – December 8th
Mondays, 4:30-6:00pm

The YWCA FinLit Fall 2025 program is a 10-week interactive series designed to equip high school girls with essential financial literacy skills. Through engaging 1.5-hour virtual sessions, students will explore budgeting, saving, investing, and creating financial plans while developing money habits that last a lifetime. The semester will conclude with a culminating activity where students can choose to design their own financial future or conduct a stock analysis on a company of their choice.

September 25th – December 12th
Wednesdays & Thursdays, 4:30-6:00pm

This course introduces students to the fundamentals of computer programming, hardware integration, and engineering design using the versatile Raspberry Pi platform. Students will explore how to set up and use a Raspberry Pi to control electronic components, automate tasks, and develop real-world applications. Topics include basic Python programming, input/output control with GPIO pins, use of sensors and LEDs, and project-based learning centered on automation, coding, and digital design. The course emphasizes hands-on learning, logical thinking, and the connection between software and physical systems, making it ideal for students interested in STEM fields such as robotics, engineering, and computer science.

September 25th – December 11th
Thursdays, 4:30-6:00pm

Students will create and present an original music piece that addresses a social justice issue they care about in their community or the world. This project synthesizes everything learned over the 10 weeks: beatmaking, melody, lyrics, arrangement, collaboration, recording, mixing, and personal branding. Students will work in groups to complete one of following three music projects; Social Justice Single, A Cohesive EP (2-3 songs), or a Single for a Social Justice Campaign.

October 9th – December 18th
Thursdays, 3:30-5:00pm

Step In & Stop It is a train-the-trainer program that empowers participants to teach New Yorkers effective de-escalation strategies for bias motivated harassment. As a two-part program, participants complete several months of training in preparation for Spring workshops and bystander intervention projects. Since 2016, Step In & Stop It has educated hundreds of individuals across the five boroughs with the goal of eliminating racism, gender oppression, and sexual violence where you will create your own activity to train middle school students.

Interested? Send us a message

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