Kutu M. Baker

GirlForward is a community of support dedicated to creating and enhancing opportunities for girls who have been displaced globally by conflict and persecution. We are in the midst of the biggest refugee crisis the world has ever seen. Over 70 million people worldwide have been forced to flee their homes. In conflict, girls are especially vulnerable to violence, isolation, and being kept out of school. Girls who receive resettlement in the United States face huge challenges: poverty, language barrier, limited or disrupted education, isolation, and trauma. But when girls succeed, everyone benefits. GirlForward supports girls through three core programs. Our Mentoring Program pairs girls with mentors to engage in "4W"​ activities (Wellness, Wisdom, Wallet and World) in order to explore their passions and graduate from high school. Our Education Program provides a space for girls to simultaneously build their English skills and succeed academically while exploring their identities and learning about the world around them. The Education Program has two components: Tutoring and Camp GirlForward. Over six weeks during the summer, Camp GirlForward utilizes a literacy-based curriculum that explores the themes of identity, community, and power through classroom instruction and field trips. Tutoring is a drop-in program where girls can work with tutors on homework at our GirlForward HQs and in partner schools. The Safe Spaces Program provides safe spaces for girls to explore their identities, connect with other girls, and access the resources they need. The program ranges from drop-in hours after school to a variety of workshops.