About a year ago, with support from community members like you, our Multicultural Youth Program launched “Girls Group,” which takes place every Friday from 4-6 pm.

Girls Group is open to all self-identifying young women. Each Friday, anywhere from six to 15 young women come together at Spectrum. We invite youth of all ages to join the group, though the group generally attracts 14–24 year olds, and we’ve also welcomed aunts, mothers, and grandmothers.

It is thanks to you that this program is available for young women who are building a space that is theirs—a powerful opportunity to take up space, explore future options, and connect with peers to build confidence and find their voices.

A focus on the future.

Everything we do in Girls Group is looking toward the future, but that doesn’t mean we only focus on education and job searches.

From October into January, youth focus on “Self and Community,” and from February to May, they focus on “Culture, Society and the World.” Within these broad themes, girls get to know each other and themselves, and to build trust and a positive group dynamic across many diverse cultures.

From this foundation, and with your support, girls think critically and reflectively about how they can bring their unique voices and talents to the world.

“Girls Group makes me feel like I can try new things. I feel like I have a good group of friends now too, and I’m finally not afraid to be myself.”

In the past few months, girls made collages about self-image, made calming mindfulness jars, and celebrated holidays and explored their meanings.

A whole community opens up, thanks to you.

A huge part of our youths’ success includes our community partners. We led a “Burlington Bingo” scavenger hunt, where girls walked to community resources like the Fletcher Free Library, the Community Health Centers of Burlington clinic, the Peace & Justice Center, and our own Drop-In Center. They took pictures, met staff, and learned about how these organizations can be a resource for them, their friends, and their family members. For the new year, girls reflected on the highlights of 2016, discussed plans and set goals for 2017.

In the second half of the year, we’ll get out into the community even more, with field trips to ECHO, a sailing trip with the Community Sailing Center, Green Up Day volunteering, and a Peace & Justice Center workshop to learn about women who are changemakers around the world.

How you can get involved:

If you or someone you know would like to join Girls Group, email us at myp@spectrumvt.org, or call (802) 864-7423.

You can make a gift to support our Multicultural Youth Program by clicking here.

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