Grassroots Organizations in Newark:

SHE Wins Inc. was founded by A’Dorian Murray-Thomas, a 19-year-old girl who grew up in Newark and faced severe trauma (her father was shot and killed two blocks away from her house. She was also bullied in school). She decided to start SHE Wins Inc. to create a sisterhood of support for other girls dealing with inner-city violence. See the video below for more information about how and why SHE Wins Inc. was founded (“SHE wins inc.,” n.d.).

https://www.njtvonline.org/news/video/organization-empowers-newark-girls-affected-by-violence/

Newark Gals Inc. was founded by two women who grew up in Newark. Their mission is to “enhance the productivity and/or accomplishments” of girls and young women in Newark, NJ. They focus on self-love, empowerment, and the life skills necessary to raise the next generation of girls (“Newark gals inc.,” n.d.).

herMAJESTY is a small grassroots organization in Newark that seeks to develop a “sisterly environment for brown girls” to grow and develop leadership skills “through mentorship and community involvement.” Their mentoring programs cover topics such as self-esteem, career opportunities, and the importance of education. On their Instagram account, they highlight their mentors, placing a spotlight on their high academic achievement and community service involvement (herMAJESTY, 2019).

US Grassroots Organizations Beyond Newark:

The Evoluer House focuses on “guiding urban girls to bold and brighter futures.” Based in and focused on Philadelphia, they provide empowerment programs for urban girls aged 13 to 18. They strive to help girls develop their emotional, mental, and social well-being, preparing them for college and future careers in order to “break the cycle of intergenerational poverty” (“The evoluer house,” n.d.).

Gem-N-Me is an organization in Cleveland, Ohio that provides 11- to 17-year-old girls “interactive social skill instruction” workshops. These focus on helping girls “manage emotions, build social skills like empathy, perspective-taking, appreciating differences, form good relationships, and make positive decisions great for academic and life success” (“Gem-n-me,” n.d.).

EmpowHer is an organization working to lower the high dropout rates in Los Angeles schools. It focuses on empowering girls and teaching them the skills to stay and succeed in schools in order to be college- and career-ready (“EmpowHer,” n.d.).

Although not a grassroots organization anymore, DIY Girls began as a Los Angeles grassroots organization that helps girls, especially Latina girls, find confidence and foster a love for STEM. It was founded by Luz Rivas at the school she attended as a child, and it provides after-school technology programs to girls in 5th through 12th grade in the Northeast San Fernando Valley of Los Angeles. See the video below for more information about the after-school program and how and why DIY Girls was founded (“DIY girls,” 2013).

 

References

[DIY Girls]. (2013). DIY Girls program [Video file]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=thQHKRGT8vs&feature=youtu.be

DIY girls. (n.d.). Retrieved May 16, 2020, from DIY Girls website, https://www.diygirls.org/#home

EmpowHER. (n.d). Retrieved May 16, 2020, from EmpowHER website, https://empowher.org/

Gem-n-me. (n.d.). Retrieved May 16, 2020, from Gem-N-Me website, http://www.gemnme.com/

herMAJESTY. [@___hermajesty]. (2019, December 8). Good Afternoon Queens! We are now accepting mentees! If you are interested in learning more about your community, your peers, and most importantly yourself then herMAJESTY is for you. Click the link in our bio to join! [Instagram photograph]. Retrieved from https://www.instagram.com/___hermajesty/

Mishkin, L. (2018). Organization empowers Newark girls affected by violence [Video file]. Retrieved from https://www.njtvonline.org/news/video/organization-empowers-newark-girls-affected-by-violence/

Newark gals. (n.d.). Retrieved May 16, 2020, from Newark Gals website, https://newarkgalsinc.wixsite.com/newarkgals

SHE wins inc. (n.d.). Retrieved May 16, 2020, from SHE Wins Inc. website, http://www.shewins.org/

The evoluer house. (n.d.). Retrieved May 16, 2020, from The Evoluer House website, https://www.evoluerhouse.org/