We have observed several social toxins (a term coined by James Garbarino that is used to represent the degree in which the social world has become poisonous to a person’s well-being) in our work that results in poor outcomes for individuals living in poverty. These social toxins include teen pregnancy, community violence, homelessness, poor academic achievement, and under-resourced schools. Girls Inspired has been intentional about not being problem focused but possibility creating.

 

The Girls Inspired core values create the foundation of our activities and opportunities. These core values are kindness, peace, non-judgement, open communication, and collaboration. We weave these core values into all of Girls Inspired programming. Girls Inspired programming includes in school weekly club meetings, bi-weekly after school activities, and transitional supportive housing. The Girls Inspired in School program exposes the girls to career options, new experiences, community service projects, and opportunities to visit college campuses. Our After School program offers free academic tutoring, mentoring opportunities, and life skill education. Girls Inspired Supportive Transitional Housing at Serenity Point targets young women and young moms ages 18-24 who are homeless. The article Homeless in America/Helping Homeless youth by covenanthouse.org states that Black or African American youth have 83% higher risk of homelessness than Hispanic or nonwhite youth and unmarried parenting youth has a 200% higher risk of homelessness. Since our inception we have witnessed several young women experiencing couch surfing. Couch surfing is the unfortunate reality of living from place to place because the individual does not have stable housing. Through God’s divine guidance and generous donors, we opened Serenity Point as a haven for young women. While living at Serenity Point, the residents have safe housing, case management services, community resource referrals, and independent living education. Our vision at Serenity Point is to empower young women to flourish. Serenity Point’s mission is to help young women flourish by offering housing spaces overflowing with kindness, peace, non-judgment and community.

 

We invite you to partner with us to potentially change the trajectory of girls and young women.

 

“Helping one person may not change the world, but it could change the world for that one person. The Center for Emotional Intelligence