Strong Women, Strong Girls

1
Strong Women, Strong Girls

• Raising life aspirations of at risk girls
• Presentation to Pittsburgh Social Venture
  Partners 8/12/08
• Presented by Lynne Garfinkel, SWSG Executive
  Director

2
Our Mission

• Strong Women, Strong Girls raises at risk
  elementary school girls self esteem and
  aspirations by connecting them with college women
  as mentors and role models, exposing them to
  strong women in history, increasing their
  knowledge and skills, and providing opportunities
  for leadership.

3
Pittsburgh Needs SWSG
2,514
of Girls in Grades 3-5 at risk in Pittsburgh
32
of Pittsburgh Public Elementary Schools with
at least 50 of children in free/reduced lunch
program
4
Strong Women, Strong Girls Model
Strong Girls Skills Knowledge Self
Esteem Leadership

Weekly Activities
Field Trips
3rd 5th Grade Girls
Role Models, Relationships Skills
College Women Mentors
Strong Women Skills Leadership Community
Involvement
Community Service Projects
5
SWSG Growth Strategy

• Pittsburgh Pilot for national replication
• 160 girls served at 12 partner sites
• 3 college chapters,52 volunteer mentors
• 2 local staff
• Baseline performance metrics established

6
Sources of Revenue

• Revenue more than tripled
• Realize need to diversify sources (e.g., earned
  income through social enterprise, sponsorship
  opportunities), and change balance of existing
  sources
• Desire to leverage PSVPs expertise to create
  long-term funding plan

7
How We Define Success

• Helping break the cycle of poverty
• SWSG participants will pursue educational
  opportunities, develop leadership skills, make
  better life choices
• SWSG Pittsburgh pilot for national replication
• PSVP can help us create a plan for financial
  diversity and sustainability and define steps to
  implement plan

Maybe I want to be a veterinarian. Im not sure
but I know I want to go to Duquesne! Clare, age
9, SWSG Participant