GIRL Project

Mar 11

Our mission is to offer a safe space for girls to create art, engage in empowerment activities and build sisterhood in Oakland.

By cultivating creativity, independence and sisterhood, we generate love, caring and kindness that transforms our own lives and emanates outward into our families and our communities.

Fostering these qualities in young women of color directly resists against the systems of oppression including racism, sexism, misogyny and specifically human trafficking.

10 years ago we offered our first GIRL Project workshop on International and 23rd Ave., at EastSide Cultural Center. The participants of that first workshop said they didn’t feel safe at school, on the way home, or in their homes. For the next seven years, GIRL Project offered a safe space for girls inside EastSide, taking advantage of the theater, the art room, the outdoor space in the back, the recording studio, the bookstore, collaborating with SOL garden and their “secret gardens” with chickens and herbs and a kitchen to cook in. We also collaborated with the cycles of change at the bikery to teach riding lessons and distributed bikes as part of our summer sessions. These sessions included a bike ride to the marina and mural tours. Inside the garage across the street, students were able to screen print their own designs onto t-shirts and pants. Along with self-defense and empowerment classes, the girls are encouraged to live loud and large, with full bellies and to take up space and thrive.

We offer these activities free of charge to the community to support youth amongst a backdrop of violence against women and girls in Oakland. California has been rated number one for sex trafficking in the Country and Oakland is named as a National Hotspot.

Our program offers all manner of art and self-awareness, and is driven by play and exploration. The programs are taught by women artist mentors that are informed by a pedagogy of kindness and care. We currently distribute school supplies, groceries and hygiene products to 50-75 families each year.

After 10 years, our first cohort is currently enrolled in college. Several who are first in their families to attend.