Program areas at Y-WE
In 2022-2023, Y-WE served 171+ young women and gender expansive youth, and 1,412+ community members, through 190 program days and community events held online and in- person. 36 adult volunteer mentors supported youth enrolled in 15 distinct programs, and 55 other active volunteers supported Y-WE in a variety of ways throughout the year. These programs and events kept us connected; working in solidarity toward racial, gender, and social justice; and fueling each other's creativity and resilience. We also continued to adapt programs, provide basic needs support, and facilitate mutual aid in response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. 38 families received social work services, and over $14,000 of emergency funds were redistributed to families impacted by the intersecting pandemics of Covid-19, racism, sexism, classism, and xenophobia. We continued to center young women and gender expansive youth from marginalized and underrepresented communities, particularly young women of color. Of 2022-2023 youth participants, 83% were of color, approximately 70% were low income, and a high percentage came from first- or second- generation immigrant families. Programs offered included: Youth Leadership Council, Y-WE Tech, Y-WE Grow, Black Girls Matter Mentorship program, Y-WE Writing, and Y-WE Speak . Participants reported increased self confidence, leadership skills, connection to the natural world, and commitment to taking action for change in their communities. Averaged across all Y-WE programs, 90%+ of participants reported increases in their sense of belonging in a diverse community and feeling like they have adults in their lives who care about their well-being, along with other metrics specific to program content, such as feeling more confident in their leadership abilities or more excited to make positive changes in their communities.
Multi-day camps focused on creativity and engagement with the natural world provided transformative and healing experiences to 77+ youth and 28 adult volunteer mentors. Camp offerings included Y-WE Create, Y-WE Write, Black Girls Matter Summer programs, and an internship at Marra Farm. Young women worked directly with renowned writers and artists, community leaders, and professionals across diverse career fields. Through these experiences, participants developed their voices and creative visions, gained professional skills, and developed stronger relationships with land, all the while being a part of diverse communities that honored their identities, experiences, and perspectives. In a set of 11 'yes/no' questions in the post-program survey for the Marra Farm Internship, 131 out of 132 responses were a positive 'yes'. The questions asked about topics such as sense of belonging in a diverse community, increases in knowledge, and interest in pursuing careers in environmental justice. In an optional post-program survey for parents and caregivers of youth participating in summer programs, one wrote, "[my daughter] enjoyed making new friends, having fun, and it was educational. It also helped build her self confidence." Another said, "[my child has] developed more confidence in their talents and are more willing to explore new things."
Y-WE's educational events included Health Day, Career Day, Day of Wellness, and STEM Day, as well as a variety of smaller events such as Muslim Girls Day of Wellness, and Self- Defense/Healthy Boundaries day, and in-school workshops on topics like healthy boundaries and intro to advocacy. Collectively these programs were attended by 1,000+ youth and community members. These events featured: STEM education and skill development; and a holistic approach to gaining knowledge, skills and resource access that support young women's mental, emotional, social and physical well-being. When asked what they liked best about STEM Day, one participant wrote, "It was nice to see people getting ready to attend college and see possibilities and hear real life experiences." Another wrote, "[I liked] meeting people and learning about careers in fields I like that I didn't know about before."