Our mentoring program embraces goal setting and academic achievement and our annual vision board brunch provides the foundation for that each year.
Our girls are encouraged to dream big and they are provided strategic frameworks to help them turn their dreams, visions and goals into a reality. We take it a step further in having them paired in one-to-one mentoring relationships with a mentor that holds them accountable to achieving their individual goals.
In October 2020, we administered an independent survey for current and former proteges, mentors and volunteers. Their responses highlight the need for mentoring programs and the unique model that Girls Prep brings to the mentoring space. Not only is Girls Prep instrumental in preparing our program participants for college and career, our mentors also report having positive outcomes due to their involvement with the organization.
Our mentors reported they wanted to give back and serve the community and that they enjoy watching their mentees grow. When asked to share one positive experience they’ve had as a mentor for the program, one mentor shared “Bonding and advising my mentee has honestly been so transformative for me. I’ve learned a lot on how to provide support on different levels to someone. I was able to not only share knowledge and experience which I think is so important for our growth as young professionals, but I also was able to learn from my mentee as well. It’s really wonderful to watch them achieve their goals.” Another mentor shared that “I feel like I exposed my mentee to new ideas, places, people and opportunities.”
The majority of our mentors have graduate-level degrees.
Our mentors work in the federal government, private sector, education, nonprofits, and some are entrepreneurs.
Our proteges reported that they participated in the program because:
“Having someone to give advice, help me stay on track, and help me plan for my future.”
Another shared, “Being able to ask questions and receiving several resources from my mentor at any time was very helpful. They provide us with information about scholarships, internships, and feedback on resumes. Ultimately, everyone had our best interest at heart and even shared important financial plans outside of our careers. Additionally, being able to speak with other protégés was comforting and encouraging in regard to entering the workforce.”
A former protégé shared, “Girls Prep provided access to successful women in all fields to be positive representations but also to give helpful advice in what steps to take to ensure a successful career post-college.”
“When I first joined Girls Prep, Inc, I was in my senior year at Howard University. I'm not sure how I came across the opportunity to get a mentor, but thank goodness I did. Girls Prep shaped me to be prepared for life outside of attending a HBCU. My mentor taught me how to navigate in the real world with people whom life experiences may not match with mine. It's been seven years since I met my mentor and we still keep in contact. I will say to have my mentor who was also a graduate from the same university made my bond much tighter. She was someone who could listen to me and my concerns and could easily relate since she had to make the same transition. I love this organization will all my heart. I wish I experienced Girls Prep at the beginning of my college career so that I could have that stable relationship with someone who cared about my future while I was away from home. If it wasn't for Girls Prep, I would not have applied to the Peace Corps. Thanks to them, my confidence skyrocketed and I applied to Peace Corps, got in, and served in South Africa from 2015-2017.Even after graduating, I maintained my bond with the founder and consider her as one of my big sisters. Keep reaching out to these young girls! They need this organization!”
The average GPA of our proteges is 3.5
The proteges’ majored in engineering, biology, chemistry, life and health sciences, communications, education, and business.
On average, Girls Prep proteges participate in the program for 4.3 years.
