Our Model:

GFC provides the tools, resources, partnerships and support girls need to gain the voice, ability, and problem-solving capacity to realize their full potential. We welcome and serve all girls and focus our efforts on girls who live in low income communities.

Today, in cities across the country, Girl Action Teams of approximately 10 girls and two volunteer women Coaches meet to identify an issue or problem that they want to impact. The Coaches then teach the girls essential project planning and execution skills to aid them in designing and implementing their social change project.
Every year thousands of girls learn how to tackle community problems such as gang violence, low self-esteem, and environmental degradation. Imagine the possibilities if every year thousands of middle school and high school girls learn how to tackle community problems. Picture the huge number of powerful women leaders driving local communities and the world toward success and well-being.

Our Programs:

GIRL ACTION TEAMS: Thousands of girls have the opportunity to participate in community teams. The girls identify challenges in their communities and design and implement creative solutions to address them as a team. Each team has two women coaches to guide and support the girls through the project. This is a free after school program.

CHANGE YOUR WORLD TRAININGS: Starting in 2008, GFC took its annual Girl Summit, a day long conference on the road. Each year 2,500+ girls and 400 women are given the tools to create change in their community through our Change Your World Trainings. The trainings also include teaching girls what social change is and showing girls examples of a diverse group of social change makers.

NEW GIRLS NETWORK: GFC connects girls to a network of professional women and legislators who help them build their own web of contacts and mentors. This network aims to help girls accomplish their GFC project as well as their personal goals. It also builds a bridge to the rich opportunities of local communities, as many GFC girls live in lower income areas.

GFC ACTION NETWORK: Thousands of girls connect online to share their world changing ideas, collaborate on projects and download GFC’s Change Your World Action Kit to begin transforming their communities using this “how-to” social change guide.

GIRL EVENTS: Girls in all sites attend an annual Spring Into Action training for girls and coaches and a Completion Ceremony. Spring Into Action includes skill based workshops for girls that relate to the work on their project. The Completion Ceremony is an annual celebration of girls and coaches! Recently in 2010, GFC teamed up with U by Kotex and hit the road for another successful National Tour! 

How GFC benefits girls:

In completing the GFC program, girls will gain an increase in four areas:

• Self-efficacy (belief in one’s personal power to produce an effect)
• Authentic relationships with women volunteers, called coaches
• Social Change skills (critical thinking, problem solving, resource development, and networking)
• The ability and confidence to express and implement their ideas