Girls' LEAP provides a Safe Space in our Communities

The problem...
30% of Boston girls report that they rarely or never feel safe in many of the places that they frequent regularly 

The Girls' LEAP Difference...

Telling this story made me a little emotional but it's more reflective for me. It made me realize how much I grew and the confidence I built up during my time at Girls' LEAP."   ~ Alani, Age 14

Girls' LEAP creates safe spaces in which girls can experiment with healthy risk taking, test their limits, and discover their deep reserves of power and courage. This space allows girls the freedom to express themselves, make mistakes and work together to solve problems.

Girls' LEAP Provided a Safe-Space for Jameelah to become a Leader and Role-Model

 

Teen Mentors Jamie and Jameelah

"When Jameelah started at LEAP in the fall of 2014 she was shy to share her opinions.  We watched her grow more and more confident.  When she set her mind to accomplish something she achieved results on the highest level.

By summer of 2015 her peers were drawn to her as a leader and aspired to master the curriculum like her.  She created true group cohesion and inspired her peers.

At LEAP she learned to value her own perspective and gained the confidence to share her voice and become a leader and mentor to others.  Jameelah is an awesome Teen Mentor."

~ Katjana, Executive Director

At Girls' LEAP we know it is important for girls to have safe spaces to explore their identity, to enlarge their vision of what they are capable of, and to develop empathetic and powerful relationships with each other and with women.

Jameelah age 17, one of our Teen Mentors, has worked with many girls in our programs empowering them with the strength and courage to grow up safe and strong.

Jamie, age 17, joined the summer Teen Mentor Program and bonded with Jameelah. We saw her strongly impacted by having the opportunity to learn from an experienced powerful young role model like Jameelah. 

I learned how to connect with myself and find my purpose and then shared my purpose by connecting with other girls that I was teaching, and unknowingly inspiring. Physically I am strong, but emotionally I am stronger.

 ~ Jameelah, Age 17, Teen Mentor

Are Boston Public Schools a safe place for our youth? Girls' LEAP wants to hear your story!

According to the October 26th Channel 5 News report, in the past two years:

·         175 students across Massachusetts were suspended for committing sexual assault in school and

·         1,877 students were disciplined for sexual harassment. 

·         In Boston, 263 cases of indecent assault and battery were reported, with 41 student suspensions.

The most startling discovery from this report: these numbers are most likely inaccurately low.  

Many cases of sexual assault and sexual harassment are going unreported in Boston Public Schools because “the superintendent’s sexual assault policy for the district states its fact finding should be kept to a minimum and department employees “should not engage in a detailed investigation.”’  Thus, incidents of sexual assault are so mismanaged by schools that often authorities do not have the opportunity to investigate and parents may never find out.

Girls’ LEAP wants to hear from students in Boston Public Schools.  Do you feel safe in school?  Have you experienced or witnessed violence at school?  Do you think your school does enough to protect you?  Do you think the Channel 5 report is accurate?

Please comment!  Comments should be submitted anonymously or with your first name only.