cincy_CURRENT

As they enter high school, these girls graduate into Youth Led Coalition, where they can holdconsequential decision-making roles that enable each to make substantial impacts within their community.

UMADAOP has established Girls With Ambition as an environment of safety, learning, and determined growth for these young girls.The program goes on throughout their’ school year to empower the students and include them in activities with their friends.These activities often double as both educational and fun, like movie nights with popcorn and treats where the students watch films that teach about some of the dangers of harmful drugs. Participants also have opportunities to help in events held by Youth Led Initiative, another UMADAOP program that equips teenagers to make positive differences in their community. Alexis Jackson, from UMADAOP, spoke about the relationship between these two programs. She said, “Think of [Girls With Ambition] as a stepping stone.” In this she meant that Girls With Ambition is a place for young girls to begin conversations about substance abuse, community outreach, and their safety. As they enter high school, these girls graduate into Youth Led Coalition, where they can hold consequential decision-making roles that enable each to make substantial impacts within their community.

51