Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed people can change the world. Indeed, it is theonly thing that ever has. ~Margaret Meade
As partnership coordinator for the Tranquil Space Foundation, I have the pleasure of speaking with people in our community who work tirelessly to provide opportunities for young women. As a former non-profit junkie, I know the time, sweat, tears, and love that goes into running these organizations. Iād like to thank the staff and volunteers of the organizations we have been fortunate to partner with during the past two years. We wish them the best as continue to nurture the young women in their programs. Their work is inspiring and I would like to share a bit about each of them.
Boys and Girls Club of GW, Clubhouse #14
Strengthening our youth to beat the odds. The mission of Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Washington is to help boys and girls of all backgrounds, especially those who need us most, build confidence, develop character and acquire the skills needed to become productive, civic-minded, responsible adults. http://www.bgcgw.org/
DC Council BBYO
With more than 18,000 members and 80 years of experience, BBYO is known as the largest and most effective provider of identity-building and leadership development programs for Jewish teens. www.bbyo.org
Duke Ellington School of the Arts
Located in Washington, DC, the prestigious Duke Ellington School of the Arts was founded in 1974 and is the only DC public high school that provides professional arts training and college preparation to talented DC public school students. www.ellingtonschool.org
Finding Our Wings
The goal of the Finding Our Wings Community Documentary Program is to foster courage in teenage girls, currently ages 12 to 15 years old, who are attending middle school and high school primarily in East Baltimore. We seek to help the girls discover the courage required to fulfill their artistic visions and cultivate their documentarian voices. http://www.communityarts.net/readingroom/archivefiles/2008/11/finding_our_win.php
For the Love of Children
For Love of Children’s mission is to provide young children and high-risk youth with the resources to achieve educational and personal success through a continuum of educational services that prepares them to become confident, life-long learners and contributing members of their communities. http://www.flocdc.org/
Running Start
Running Start is a nonprofit organization dedicated to inspiring young women and girls to run for political office. Our goal is to increase the number of women in the United States who serve in elected office by planting the seed early that women are needed in politics. Our training programs emphasize that political leadership is an attainable and exciting goal for young women to pursue. http://www.runningstartonline.org/home/
SISTERS
S.I.S.T.E.R.S. is an after-school empowerment program offering comprehensive outreach, education, and mentoring for pre-adolescent and adolescent girls in upper elementary, middle, and high schools in the Washington metropolitan area. http://fsc1.org/sisters.htm
Spring Brook High School
Springbrook High School, with its mosaic of cultures, challenges students academically to recognize and appreciate their individual talents. Thus empowered, students become lifelong learners who are culturally inquisitive, technologically adept, and prepared to contribute to and thrive in an interdependent world. http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/schools/springbrookhs/
I love to hear about the amazing work being done in our community ā especially work that aligns with the values of the Tranquil Space Foundation. Tranquil Space Foundation focuses on expanding opportunities for yoga, creativity, and leadership among women and girls. Do you know of an organization that empowers young women? Please share their story! To learn how you can have a Tranquil Teens workshop hosted in your community, please email partnerships@pigsandpugs.org