EMPOWERING YOUNG WOMEN TO SHAPE THEIR FUTURE
Our college access and leadership development program for girls of color, YW Brooklyn LEAD, offers a comprehensive, year-round curriculum dedicated to advancing educational outcomes and economic empowerment. We strive to improve the future of underserved girls from poverty-impacted communities by providing the support and resources they need throughout high school, starting in 10th grade, to gain admission to colleges of their choice, sometimes with full financial aid, and to stay on track to earn a bachelor’s degree or higher.
Participants in our YW Brooklyn LEAD program receive assistance with general homework needs and preparing for standardized tests, guidance on each step of the college application process, opportunities for paid internships, college persistence resources, and individual attention from caring adults and the community of their peers.
For more information, please call 718-875-1190, ext. 307 or email us at girlslead@ywcabklyn.org.
YW Brooklyn LEAD is Changing Lives
Our LEADers are achievers!
Participants in YW Brooklyn LEAD improve their SAT scores by an average 100 points. Every student in the program has been accepted to competitive colleges with generous financial aid and/or full scholarships and nearly all have persisted to earn their bachelor’s degrees on time.
Our LEADers are change agents!
They plan and lead voter registration, speak-outs, forums and rallies focused on the social justice issues they and their peers are most passionate about. They are guided and mentored by YWCA Brooklyn staff as they advocate for change.
Our LEADers are activists!
They raise awareness about the need for school discipline reform to reverse the disproportionate impacts of harassment, suspensions, expulsions and other negative feedback experienced by young women of color.
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Academic Rigor
Tutoring, homework help, and standardized test preparation to improve academic performance
Science and math programs to bridge gender gaps and open doors for young women
Economic Empowerment
Paid internships, career exploration, mentorship and professional readiness training
Support to write resumes, search for jobs, secure interviews, and enhance networking skills
College Inquiry, Access & Exploration
Individual assistance throughout the college process, from SAT and ACT preparation to college acceptances
College visits, application guidance, and help seeking financial aid and scholarships
Leadership & Wellness
Training to help young women grow into leaders and advocate for themselves and others
Engagement in the legislative process, speak-outs against inequality and injustice, and youth-led forums to build self-esteem and confidence
Family Engagement & Education
Support for families as young women spread their wings and pursue their college dreams
College Persistence
Financial and emotional support while helping to close the achievement gap and improve graduation rates
“The YW Brooklyn LEAD program really provided the in-depth one on one support I needed to tackle the college essay questions. If I had not participated in the program, where I was informed of scholarships and received help to secure them, I would have had to find an alternative way to fund the remainder of my college fees, spending more time working and less time studying during the school year. ”
– Shuang Pierre-St Surin, YW LEAD 2024 (Pre-Med & Politics, NYU)
“I've gained a lot from the YW Brooklyn LEAD program! From the weekly leadership meetings, community night, college trips and tutoring sessions, the program has taught me about what community should look like and that I have the support needed to help me. I've also learned about being more financially responsible and how it applies to the college application process, including scholarships, budgeting, and saving money, I've become more financially literate.”
– Amaya “AJ” Johnson, YW LEAD 2024 (Molecular Biology, Colgate University)
