Gwen’s Girls

Program Overview and Background

The STARS (Striving to Achieve Resilience & Success) program is an effort by Gwen’s Girls to address and improve outcomes (e.g., academic performance, school attendance, referral to juvenile justice) for at–risk and system–involved girls living in Pittsburgh/Allegheny County, PA by systematically working to promote access to resources and disrupt oppressive contexts through mentoring.

Program Services

Three times per year, the STARS program will match 15 at–risk girls, ages 10–17 with mentors to engage in an initial 15–week (at least 10 hours per week) mentoring/advocacy relationship. The STARS program aims to promote positive behaviors, attitudes, and outcomes of the participants and reduce risk factors associated with delinquency and juvenile justice system involvement by systematically working to promote access to resources and disrupt oppressive contexts.

Target Population

The target population for the STARS program is girls ages 10–17 who live in Pittsburgh/Allegheny County, PA. This program is an ideal alternative for girls who are at risk of being suspended or referred to law enforcement or the juvenile justice system, as well as those who are on probation or system–involved.