Girls' LEAP

 

Track Sponsor: Anna B. Stearns Charitable Foundation

Founded: 1997

Current Budget: $320,000

Website: www.girlsleap.org/

Need 

Girls ages (8-18) are increasingly and disproportionately put in challenging situations in greater Boston and beyond.  Such situations are not isolated exceptions, but occur every day in schools, neighborhoods, and intimate relationships where girls face a variety of violent and unhealthy situations.

  • In Massachusetts, 1 in 5 girls experiences dating violence, and girls rank violence against women and girls as their top concern.  
  • In Boston, incidents of reported sexual assault are highest among girls aged 10-14
  • Girls have few safe forums to discuss issues of violence and learn how to respond constructively
  • Girls in Boston constitute only 39% of after-school participants, and most after-school programs do not have the expertise to address with girls the physical and emotional aspects of violence 

About

Girls’ LEAP (Lifetime Empowerment and Awareness Program) has increased the safety and well-being of over 3,500 high-risk girls in underserved areas in Boston since 1997.By partnering with after-school agencies, Girls’ LEAP engages girls (ages 8-18) in unique programming that addresses the physical and emotional aspects of violence and focuses on building self-defense techniques, decision-making and conflict resolution skills, and personal courage. Programs are led by all-female teaching teams of adult women with undergraduates and Teen Mentors, all of whom serve as strong role models for participants. Training and follow-up with host agency staff are other key components of the model designed to increase program effectiveness and foster enduring impact. Girls’ LEAP plans to double its capacity over the next two years to serve 1,000 girls annually.

Key Accomplishments

  • over 6,000 girls since its founding in 1997 (as of 2010)
  • 87% of participating girls felt more confident in their ability to stay safe
  • 93% of participating girls learned how and when to use physical self-defense skills
  • 74% of participating girls showed increased self-esteem
  • Received multiple awards, including the Boston Celtics: Heroes Among us Award (2007), Massachusetts Comission on the Status of Women: Unsung Heroines Award (2006), and Best Practices Award, Girl Scouts, Swift Water Council (2003)

Join the Cause

In-Kind Support

  • Two or three board members with expertise in financial management and/or organizational growth
  • Office space
  • Printing and design services
  • Event supports

Financial Support

$50,000 Staffing for program growth
$5,000
 Evaluation system development
$1,000 Sponsorship of girl in Teen Mentor Program

Learn More

Want to learn more about Girls' LEAP? 
View their full social innovation prospectus here.

Contact Information

Deborah Weaver
617-441-2112
dweaver@girlsleap.org

Address

971 Commonwealth Ave.
Suite 22
Boston, MA 02215