Girls Inc. programs provide hands-on activities that encourage girls to explore issues affecting their lives and communities. Multicultural education and empowerment programs challenge teen girls to explore diversity, hone leadership skills, value their cultures, and become leaders in the community.

D.I.V.A.s (Daring Individuals Valuing Adolescence)

Daring Individuals Valuing Adolescence (DIVAs) explores girls’ strengths, family dynamics, cultural heritage, connections with community, healthy lifestyles and choices, peer pressure, plus social and physical challenges. Health and sexuality workshops for parents and guardians of participants are included. Program format includes youth-led discussions, fieldtrips, guest speakers and workshops. This leadership program meets Tuesdays, 3:30 – 5:30pm. Nine-week sessions continue throughout the school year. DIVA is open to middle school age girls and requires an application and interview process. To receive an application and schedule an interview contact Ixayan Baez, Program Coordinator, at ext. 251.

Girls Advocacy Project (GAP)

The Girls Advocacy Project, a youth-led research and advocacy effort, gathered information on the health and well-being of girls over a two-year period. The research project collected data from nearly 2,000 girls in eleven northern Alameda County high schools.

GAP is a hands-on research and community organizing project for high school girls in Oakland that focuses on the overall health and well being of teenage girls. The project is broken down into three fun and interactive phases that began in November 2005 and will end in June 2008.

The project results and recommendations provide girls with the resources and information to advocate for themselves in youth programming and policy decisions. For more information, contact the GAP Program Coordinator Katie Burrill at ext. 238. View Final Report of the Girls Research Project

W.A.T.E.R. (Women Acting Together Embracing Reality)

WATER engages girls in learning about women’s issues on a global level and how they can connect on a personal level. Workshops, discussion groups, speakers, field trips, and community service projects encourage girls to celebrate their rich culture. This leadership program meets every Thursday from 3:30 – 5:30pm. Nine-week sessions continue throughout the school year. WATER is open to high school age girls and requires an application and interview process. To receive an application and schedule an interview contact Program Coordinator Ixayan Baez at ext. 251.

Latinas y Que

Latinas y Que (LYQ) is a weekly leadership development program that provides cultural enhancement, college preparation, career exploration and community service for young Latinas. Program highlights include cultural events, college overnight visits, women guest speakers, creative arts workshops and outdoor adventures.

The program meets every Wednesday from 3:30 – 5:30pm. Latinas y Que is open to high school age girls and requires an application and interview process. To receive an application and schedule an interview contact Ixayan Baez, Program Coordinator, ext. 251.