The STARS Citywide Girls Initiative, funded at $1.2 million by the New York City Council, will offer the City of New York a unique opportunity to support the healthy development of thousands of girls and young women of color. This bold effort will deepen and expand services in sports, education, the arts and leadership development for more than 2,200 girls citywide. In 2015 the Initiative created over 1,400 new program slots for girls and young women across NYC, allowing the organizations to serve more girls and serve them better. By June of 2016, the partnering nonprofits—Girls Write Now, Groundswell Community Mural Project, Lower Eastside Girls Club, PowerPlay NYC, Row New York, Sadie Nash Leadership Project and the newest partners The Armory Foundation, Figure Skating in Harlem and Girls for Gender Equity—all leaders in after-school and summer programming, will create 2,200 or more new program slots for girls in all five boroughs. With support and funding from the New York City Council, the STARS Citywide Girls Initiative will develop the life and leadership skills of NYC girls through after-school and summer sports, academic enhancement, STEM, college prep and the arts.
