Spring 2023 programs are open!
We have lots of fun programs launching in the new year that you don't want to miss out on! Workforce training, entrepreneurship, social change, culinary arts, technology, gardening, music... we've got something for every girl! We urge you to consider getting your daughter/niece/grandchild involved this year. Girls For A Change programs offer culturally responsive curriculum, skill building, network building, leadership development, social emotional learning, and a chance to find sisterhood - all while engaging in play and fully celebrating girlhood. Extra benefits include field trips to explore RVA, opportunities to learn from influencers and experts, waived fees to other GFAC programs, prizes, and opportunities to qualify for volunteer/work learning hours (reference letters available).
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Girl Action Teams
Girl Action Teams create space for girls to “be the change” and design a social change project that solves a problem they see. Each Girl Action Team meets after school and is guided by a female coach. Here's what we have in store this year.
Learn more about Girl Action Teams here.
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VMFA Girl Action Team
Participants will gather at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts (VMFA) to engage with the museum's newest exhibit Isaac Julien: Lessons of the Hour—Frederick Douglass. During this time the girls will look through the lense of unsung heroes Anne Douglass, Frederick Douglass' wife and study the impact of women have had on social justice, social change, and entrepreneurship. Participants will also have the opportunity to apply for the Girl Ambassador Program where, upon qualification, they will have the opportunity to be placed in a paid internship at the VMFA (9-12 graders only). Register here
- Program dates: January 23-May 8th
- Meeting times: Mondays 5:30-7:00pm
- Location: Virginia Museum of Fine Arts
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How Fashion Reflects Social Change
The Thomas Jefferson High School Girl Action Team is back in FASHION! Girls on this team will work together to execute a fashion show and present it to RVA Fashion Week to be included in the Spring event. The fashion show will feature seven categories where models will have the opportunity to show off their own personal style to different central themes. Models will create looks based on their favorite heels, air forces, jewelry, and hip-hop artists. The girls will unite the fashion aspects with a social message that they create on their own. All participants will bring a unique flavor to the runway. PLEASE NOTE: This Girl Action Team is only open to Thomas Jefferson students. Register Here
- Program dates: January 12th-May 18th
- Meeting times: Thursdays 12:00-2:00 pm
- Location: Thomas Jefferson High School
Get involved: We're looking for local designers, artists, entrepreneurs, and other creatives/influencers who use fashion and beauty as a tool for change to help inspire/guide them as they create their showcase and presentation. Sign up as a facilitator here.
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Girls Drop Beats, Too
There is a severe underrepresentation of women DJs' in the music industry and this Girl Action Team seeks to change that. Participants on this team will learn the fundamentals of DJ’ing and mixing with contemporary electronic music and Hip-Hop techniques. In addition to learning professional DJing skills, participants will make gains in confidence, gain presentation skills, learn technical problem-solving, gain business fundamentals, and have the opportunity to get hired for a gig. We're also excited to share that parents will have a chance to attend a class with one of our guest DJs to learn something new and experience the program! Registration fees begin at $50 to rent a kit and $180 to purchase a kit.
Register Here
- Program dates: January 24th-May 16th
- Meeting times: Tuesdays 6-7:30pm
- Location: Girls For A Change
Get involved: We are seeking guest DJs, songwriters, music producers, and Emcees to come share their skills during one of our sessions. Sign up here. We are also hiring a DJ instructor to lead the team. Learn more and apply here.
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Girls Who Code
DIGITAL ART & DESIGN WITH CODE
Designing is not all Photoshop and Adobe... Some work requires coding knowledge! This Spring, Girls Who Code participants will learn how code is creative, too! Over the course of the program, girls will learn coding basics by creating digital art, practice using the design process, and get to know a range of Black and female-identifying designers and artists. Open to rising 6-9 graders. Girls who participate in every session will have the opportunity to win an Apple iPad at the Black Girl Showcase.
Did you know... Black girls display high interest, confidence, and ability in STEM but face multiple barriers including racial, ethnic, and gender stereotypes, low exposure to STEM role models, low awareness of diverse STEM fields, and financial obstacles to STEM education? In order to increase interest, help build skills and offer exposure to STEM careers, we've partnered with Black SciGirls and will be incorporating their curriculum in 2023.
This program is offered at no cost. Girls who participate in Girls Who Code will also have their Camp Diva Leadership registration fees waived. Register here
- Program dates: February 8th-May 16th
- Meeting times: Wednesday from 6:00-7:30pm
- Location: Girls For A Change
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Immersion Lab
The Immersion Lab is an 8-week, immersive entrepreneurship training program, where participants work on product development and pitching and have an opportunity to earn an entrepreneurship certificate. Both cohorts will have the opportunity to participate in local, Spring Market Days to earn money and gain experience selling products. They will also have the opportunity to be in pitch competitions to earn money for their business. All participants who complete the Spring cohort can register for our Summer cohort at no cost. Sign up for an info session to learn more.
Get involved: We are looking for entrepreneurs, business owners, and professionals interested in sharing their skills by hosting a workshop. Sign-up.
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GFAC Cohort
This program is open to any High School girl and meets at GFAC. Register here.
- February 2-May 18th
- Thursdays from 6:00-7:30pm
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Huguenot High Cohort
This program is for Huguenot High School Students only and meets at Huguenot HS. Register here.
- January 11-May 18
- Wednesdays from 4pm-5:30pm
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Recipes for Success: Culinary, Culture, and Change
Culinary Arts + Ceramics + Gardening all in one! Learn essential principles and practical, step-by-step techniques for preparing customized meals while also learning how to get started in a career as a professional chef! Through this collaboration with Open Space Education, participants will also learn to cultivate, harvest, and create a better relationship with food and nature.
By providing Black girls with early access and training, participants will build professionalism, culinary skills, and acquire a passion for the industry, thus increasing representation in the field. This program is free for RPS students (application here) but also open to non-RPS students (registration here).
- Program dates: January 23-May 22nd
- Meeting times: Mondays from 5:30pm - 7pm
- Location: Girls For A Change up to Spring Break and then Fonticello Food Forest after Spring Break
Get involved: We're looking for culinary arts professionals to do workshops with participants and share their skills. Learn more and sign-up here.
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Girl Ambassador Program
This four year workforce development program teaches hybrid skills and prepares girls for better paying jobs in technology and professional careers. Through 8 weeks of skills training, we build self-esteem and self-efficacy to prepare them for a 6 week summer internship (paid and unpaid opportunities are based on skills, participation, and completion). This program uses a tiered approach that supports paced learning/development from certified instructors with life experiences and proficiency in software and hardware. Apply here / Sign up for an info session
- Program dates: January 26 - August 4
- Meeting times: Thursdays from 6:00-7:30pm (virtual)
Saturdays from 11:00-4:00pm (in person)
- Location: Girls For A Change / Zoom
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Camp Diva Leadership Academy
Camp Diva Leadership Academy is where Black girls build sisterhood and self-esteem and deepen scholarship outside the classroom. Participants will discover amazing places, and take fascinating detours on their personal journey and route together. Girls will discover themselves, the community, and the power of sisterhood as they explore the world of being a girl in a more fair and empowering way! Camp Diva is open for rising 4th-9th grade girls.
Learn more and apply / Sign-up for an info session
- Program dates: Summer 2023
- Meeting times: Monday-Friday
- Location: Girls For A Change
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