About Us
Dedicated to the transformation of girls.“We have to figure out what it takes to get women to believe in themselves and that they have what it takes to make it in this life.” -Gwen Elliott
Why Girls?
42% girls in the United States now live in low-income families, and 1 in 5 below the poverty line (State of Girls 2013). Growing up in a low-income home increases a girl’s likelihood to encounter physical, emotional and behavioral hurdles. They are a higher risk for
- violence
- abandonment and family dysfunction
- sexist, racist or homophobic messages
- abuse and exploitation
- teen pregnancy
- negative peer influences
- academic failure
- low self-esteem
Few services exist to help these girls. Without support, it seems like these girls’ futures are predetermined – and they are part of a cycle that is doomed to repeat.
The Need
Girls of every economic background need:
- A safe place to grow
- Trust, love, respect, and validation from caring adults and peers
- Positive female role models
- To discover and value their voice
- To feel worthy
- Opportunities to succeed
The Solution
Gwen’s Girls provides holistic, gender-specific programs, education, and experiences for at-risk children and young adults in Allegheny County. More importantly, we offer a safe space where girls and young women can form relationships, build self-esteem, and develop resilience.
At Gwen’s Girls, we recognize, honor, and nurture the inner strength of our girls and their families. This facilitates their physical, emotional, and spiritual development, fosters strong family units and community bonds, and ultimately builds stable and productive lives.
Our services are driven by the needs of our girls and families, addressing societal barriers of race, class, and gender. We celebrate the uniqueness of the female spirit while advocating for positive changes in girls, families, and communities. Embracing diversity of culture, perspective, and experience enriches and vitalizes our approach.
Through our educational opportunities and enrichment experiences, we aim to foster economic self-sufficiency, improve quality of life, and enhance overall well-being. Gwen’s Girls collaborates with individuals, communities, institutions, and social service providers to promote the greater good and meet the diverse needs of those we serve.
We are committed to prudent use of financial and staff resources, seek input from stakeholders, and measure our impact to ensure accountability and effective stewardship of our mission.
The Impact
Since 2002, we have helped more than 6000 young people avoid the traps of poverty. Our programs are working. In the 2018-2019 fiscal year:
%
of our girls advanced to the next grade level.
%
of our girls did not become pregnant.
%
did not become re-involved with the juvenile justice system.
When given the opportunity, any girl can succeed.