Empowering Girls+ Through Community Partnerships
Student Leadership Network believes in the power of collaboration to enhance educational opportunities for girls and gender-expansive youth (girls+). Our partnerships with community-based organizations are key to supporting students and educators at Young Women’s Leadership Schools (TYWLS) in four core areas of our WholeGirl+ Education model:
- Early College and Career Awareness
- Leadership
- STEM (science, technology, engineering, math)
- Health and Wellness
Extending our Impact Through Partnerships
Throughout the year, the Girls’+ Education team supports and manages partnerships directly with six Young Women’s Leadership Schools across New York City to supplement the public schools’ limited resources. They also host opportunity fairs for students to sign up for low- or no cost summer programs to support their growth while school is out. These events offer students a chance to explore various activities that focus on STEM subjects and programs designed specifically for girls+ to explore new interests and thrive in a WholeGirl+ Education environment.
Folasade Cargill, the Manager of Partnerships for Girls’+ Education, coordinates outreach, partnership curation, business agreements, and logistical support between the schools and various programs to reduce students’ barriers to access.
“Let’s say we find an incredible program that our students want. It’s located in downtown Manhattan, and our students live in Queens or Staten Island. How will they get safely to and from the program site? Will they need a metrocard?” shared Sade. “We might work closely with partners to customize an opportunity that enables us to either bring the program to the school or find an equidistant location to create more access for interested students. Creating meaningful, lasting partnerships for students in our communities requires intentional collaboration with partners, and a willingness to color outside the lines to find what works.”
Some of our exciting partnerships include:
- ActivePlus supports students’ health and wellness through nutrition, mindfulness, and fitness education.
- READ Alliance unlocks the power of teens to effect change as literacy tutors to elementary school students in under-resourced communities.
- DoSomething.Org educates and equips students to lead through youth-centered activism and service.
- Riley’s Way Foundation develops leadership skills through leading with kindness, and sponsors student-led community projects.
- Weill Cornell Medicine hosts students for Big Red STEM Day with hands-on workshops to explore education paths and careers in science and medicine.
- Schools Consent Project teaches students to normalize conversations about consent to encourage safe and healthy interactions.
Deepening Relationships with Educators
Partnership programs don’t just support students—they also help deepen our relationships with educators and broaden their awareness of programs that they can encourage students to pursue. Recently, our team partially offset the cost for a teacher to attend an education conference at The Island School in the Bahamas to learn about their marine biology research and ocean conservation programs. The teacher returned with excitement to advocate for her high school students to apply for the immersive residential research experience.
At Student Leadership Network’s WholeGirl+ Education National Conference, many partners hosted professional development workshops for educators from around the country. Highlights include:
- Funny Girls used improv exercises to model and practice active listening, an important component of leadership skills development.
- Hidden Gems Archery helped build confidence and curiosity through a physical archery lesson.
- My Robin works with students to destigmatize mental health and coaches educators to strengthen community connections and boost wellbeing.
Whether it’s learning about science careers, developing leadership skills, or staying healthy, our partners play a crucial role in supporting our schools. Explore our growing partnerships list here.
Gratitude
We’re grateful to all our partners and funders who make these opportunities possible, including The Estée Lauder Companies, Apollo Opportunity Foundation, Aerie, Amplify Her Foundation, The Harnisch Foundation, Jennifer Kay Foundation, and RBC Foundation. Their support allows us to offer a wide range of programs that enrich our students’ education and help them prepare for successful futures. We look forward to continuing these partnerships and creating even more opportunities for our students to learn, grow, and thrive!
If you are a community-based organization interested in partnering with us, please email GirlsEd@dev.studentleadershipnetwork.org.
You might also like…
Exposure to Early Career Networks
Research shows students want more opportunities for career exploration in middle and high school. Our Cool Careers, Potential Paths series fills this gap.
