The Embrace Girls Foundation provides after school and extracurricular programs for girls in Miami-Dade County. In their 2012-2013 annual report, they summarize that their programs served over 125 girls and helped them achieve significant academic improvements. Through homework assistance, tutoring, life skills workshops, and family support services, 70% of girls improved at least one grade level, 80% improved test scores and behavior, and 90% improved attendance, social skills, and conflict resolution. Parents and students rated the program as outstanding. While some girls required additional learning support, the report concludes the program successfully empowered and advanced the girls.

1. THE EMBRACE GIRLS FOUNDATION
2012-2013 END OF YEAR REPORT

2. Because many factors contribute to a student's academic
performance, behavior, social and life skills including
individual characteristics and family and neighborhood
experiences, research suggests that, among
school-related factors, positive after school and extra
curriculum activities and events are crucial to a child’s
academic success particularly girls.

3. There are so many reasons why gender specific programming is beneficial to girls.
– The experiences of girls and boys are different. Girls-only programming allows the
possibility to explore and respond to some of those differences in a safe and fun
atmosphere.
– Girls and boys have different needs at different phases of their lives. Girls need a safe
space to talk about and work through issues that they’re dealing with like self-esteem,
their bodies and body image, sexuality and healthy relationships.
– Boys and girls experience very different hormonal and developmental changes, and
may be interested in different things at different stages of development as a result.
– Girls and boys have different issues that are important to them and different
perspectives on issues that need to be valued.
– Girls need an opportunity to talk about things that are happening in the community, in
their lives, in their families, and in their relationships from a gendered perspective.
– Girls can be under a lot of pressure in our society. Competition is encouraged between
girls based on who is prettiest and the most popular with boys. An all-girls space lets
girls explore who they are outside of this dynamic.
– An all-girls space creates a unique environment where girls can share their experiences and take
part in activities with people who understand some of what they are talking about and without
being intimidated, or by having boys dominate in the group.
– Sometimes girls are distracted from exploring themselves, their potential, and connecting with
other girls when boys are around and finally,
– Sometimes girls just really need someone to listen and laugh with them, hold their hand if they
are going through something hard. Female facilitators are able to connect with girls on common
experiences.

4. That said, we are proud to report our outcomes for the 2012-2013 “All Girl All
Power After School Academy school year which served more than 125 girls Monday
through Saturday at five locations throughout Miami-Dade County providing a well
organized and nurturing environment for girls grades 2nd through 5th to where
homework assignments are discussed, completed and reviewed before the end of
each day’s session, private tutorial sessions are offered for those needing a little
extra attention and life skills and character educational training, fun activities,
workshops, family events and activities are embraced as well as wrap-around social
services and counselling for the family as a whole.

5. While our many activities, events and special red carpet meet and greets with mega Super Stars
and Community Leaders (Will and Jaden Smith, VIP Press Movie Screenings and meet and greets
with Movie Directors like Chris Wedge, Director of his animation movies, RIO, ROBOT, ICE AGE
and EPIC3D, appearing as panellists for Youth Summit’s featuring celebrity Key Note speakers
like, former CNN Anchor, Soledad O’Brien, or sitting for a charming discussion over Tea and their
signature Tea Party events with dignitaries like Florida Senator, Marco Rubio) are well
published, what was not widely shared was the day to day academic challenges our girls faced
as students experiencing low or below average scores post program or, that many of the schools
we serve are poorly performing schools currently under the supervision of the State of Florida
as a result of same.
Note as well the unfortunate added reality that many of our girls live and play in communities
high in crime that lack empowering, well organized gender specific programs that encourage
personal growth or, offer positive social and cultural experiences, resources or mentors.

6. But what a year! Based upon data collected as a result of parent and student pre
and post surveys. student attendance records, academic scores, home visits,
consultations with School Administration and Counsellors and cultural and social
exposure afforded both the students and their family and despite many
challenges and limited funding, our girls have excelled beyond all expectations.
– 70% have advanced at least one (1) grade level in each subject
– 80% of the girls served have improved overall academic and test scores
– 80% of the girls served have improved behavioural reports
– 90% of the girls served have improved attendance reports
– 90% of the girls served have improved social and life skills
– 90% of the girls served have improved communication and conflict resolution skills
– 90% of the parents surveyed graded the overall program “outstanding”
– 100% of the girls surveyed graded overall experience “outstanding”
– 10% of the girls served were after extensive parental and administrative consultations
were referred for professional testing and based upon the results were transferred to
appropriate learning facilities and/or programs to address academic or behavioural
matters outside the scope of services offered by The Embrace Girls Foundation, Inc. A
follow-up of those girls reveal they are progressing accordingly.

7. Indeed, progress lies not in enhancing what is, but in advancing
toward what will be. Thank you for your support and empowering
our girls to Embrace their Girl Power!
Sincerely,
Velma R. Lawrence, Executive Director