See Beautiful Grant Applicant: 3D Girls, Inc.

The feature below is brought to you by 3D Girls, Inc., an organization that is in the running to receive a See Beautiful Grant. For more information about our giving initiatives, please click here.
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To learn more about the featured organization, please visit their website here.

Divinely Devoted and Drive = 3D

Imagine a world without poverty. A world without struggle. A world where every person has the same opportunities and access to achieve self-sufficiency.  1.4 million people are living in poverty across the globe; 70% are women and girls. Women and girls living in poverty is a global epidemic. 3D Girls, Inc. exists to address the critical disparities that limit young women and girls the ability to thrive. The mission of 3D Girls, Inc. is to educate and empower young women to be advocates for themselves and their families through mentoring, prenatal and parent education and social/emotional wellness. To that end, we are committed to being: 
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DIVINELY focused on breaking barriers that limit the achievement of women and girls.
DEVOTED to the highest standards of stewardship for our clients, stakeholders, and the communities we serve.
DRIVEN to develop innovative solutions for building the future workforce of women in S.T.E.A.M.​

Circumstances involving an increase in family/relationships issues, substance abuse, health issues, job or financial troubles pose a threat to one’s well-being. According to experts, “teaching coping skills at an early age and promoting emotional and social connectedness” helps to enhance a sense of belonging and support. 3D Girls, Inc. began in the summer of 2012 as a mentoring program to build connectedness among girls. After becoming a young mother, our founder was inspired by the mentors, teachers, and leaders who helped her accomplish her goals, and had a vision of giving back by providing mentorship opportunities to youth. Beginning with a mentorship program for eight girls, our founder and volunteers provided a variety of educational and cultural experiences. Upon graduating, many of the girls went on to college, joined the military, and/or got jobs to support their families.
 
3D Girls, Inc.’s services have grown exponentially over the years. In 2014, we introduced the L.E.A.G.U.E. Mentoring Model (Ladies Empowering Adolescent Girls Using Exposure), which is our school-based program that provides girls K-12 with tiered, research-based group mentoring experiences. In 2016 we responded to the need for assistance to teen mothers through the T.E.A.M. Project (Teens Engaging As Mothers). This program empowers teen mothers to develop their potential as self-sufficient citizens and role models through a ten-week program that teaches maternal health, financial literacy, and career training. Additionally, our T.E.A.M. Project provides free community baby showers to engage the community with local health and wellness resources and provide participants with essential baby care products.  In 2017, we launched the D.R.I.P.S. program (Discovering Realities in Painting & STEM), which encourages exploration, discovery, and social and emotional wellness through STEAM activities.  The Girls Link Up virtual mentoring experience was brought to life in 2020 as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
 
Since our inception, 3D Girls, Inc. has mobilized on the ground to distribute over 200,000 diapers, wipes, blankets, and other essential baby care items to over 250 mothers, hosted over 75 sessions bringing awareness to social and emotional wellness through creativity and exploration, and have 40 mentors that educate, empower, and advocate for 132 girls participating in our after-school programs.

In 2021, we plan to launch The Rose House, which will provide a continuum of care for women and their children through transitional housing, coaching, and engagement, with a specific focus on school-aged mothers who are facing chronic homelessness, have a lack of social and emotional support or are transitioning out of DFACs Care. As a transitional housing facility, our goal is to build a strong community that supports new and expectant mothers who have been faced with obstacles to develop a plan for their future successes. Promoting economic empowerment and self-sufficiency through our one-on-one coaching is how mothers are taught workforce development skills and financial literacy.
 
3D Girls, Inc. intentionally invests in our organization’s culture and structure developing leaders from within. This includes board development training, maternal mental health training, seminars, and workshops that educate and empower our staff and volunteers to deliver our mission effectively to our clients. As we strive towards this new level of impact, we believe that our mission of educating and empowering will help to alleviate social disadvantages among young women and girls.

Submitted by Raioni Madison-Jones

Executive Director of 3D Girls, Inc.