YWCA of Brooklyn
From its perch in downtown Brooklyn, the YWCA saw too-many high achieving girls of color at local high schools not being able to realize their full potential as they applied to college. In response, it created YW LEAD (Leadership, Empowerment, and Academic Development), a multiyear college inquiry and access program that includes tutoring, college visits, family engagement and paid internships, while simultaneously promoting leadership, wellness, and self-efficacy. Our current grants support SAT prep as well as a newly launched college persistence program.
“I didn’t think I’d have the opportunity to go to college. The YWCA Brooklyn provided support, academic tutoring and helped me navigate the college application process. I graduated salutatorian of my class and received a full-scholarship to medical school. The YWCA Brooklyn believed in me and helped me to reach my full potential.”