WriteGirl
WriteGirl started 10 years ago to promote creativity and self-expression, empowering girls within a community of professional women writers. WriteGirl pairs at-risk teen girls, ages 13-18, with professional women writers for a nine-month season of one-on-one mentoring, workshops, public readings and publications. WriteGirl fosters active participation from ethnically and economically diverse girls and women from greater LA including Rampart, Inglewood, Crenshaw and East LA thereby providing a powerful inter-cultural exchange. They offer an integrated and comprehensive program that presents literacy education, leadership development, college preparation, communication and job skills development. Women Helping Youth has granted WriteGirl $14,335.54 to create a College Preparatory and Creative Writing Lab within their office space. Items to equip the Lab include: reference books and online subscriptions that support creative writing and the college application process; office furnishings, including shelving, lamps, a work desk and seating; dedicated computers for the teen girls; and a SMART whiteboard system with projector and camera. The cutting-edge SMART Board technology combines the simplicity of a whiteboard with the power of a computer. This will create an engaging and interactive workspace that will enhance learning outcomes. The WriteGirl Program is specifically designed to give girls the individualized guidance and educational support they lack. It will further this goal by providing a safe and encouraging environment where girls can research colleges and move through the decision-making process, get immediate help filling out applications and receive assistance with required application essays. The lab will provide tools for mentors to assist teens in editing their creative writing and enable teens to help plan WriteGirl activities, furthering their leadership development. Using technology and interactivity will allow WriteGirl mentors to work more effectively with the girls, encouraging their participation and enhancing their overall computer literacy.