VOICE Leadership & Integration Program

This program will serve as a launchpad for future leadership initiatives and deepen our commitment to empowering marginalized youth through culturally rooted, trauma-informed education. The goal of the VOICE Leadership & Integration Program is to equip New American girls (ages 8–18) with the tools to lead, advocate, and thrive in their communities. Our objectives include:

• Strengthening emotional intelligence and self-awareness

• Teaching effective communication and conflict resolution

• Developing personal branding and leadership identity

• Cultivating courage, boundary-setting, and advocacy skills

• Promoting financial literacy and economic empowerment

• Teaching etiquette and social integration skills

• Creating a safe, inclusive space for civic engagement and peer connection

New American girls often face cultural isolation, imposter syndrome, economic insecurity, and limited access to leadership development. These challenges can hinder their confidence, safety, and civic participation. Our program addresses these barriers by:

• Providing culturally affirming mentorship and peer support

• Teaching physical self-defense and socio-emotional resilience

• Embedding leadership, financial literacy, and social integration training within a trauma-informed, community-based framework

The program will be delivered over six months at community centers and partner schools in Columbus neighborhoods. We will collaborate with:

• Girls' LEAP (for physical self-defense and socio-emotional curriculum)

• Local immigrant-serving organizations for outreach and referrals

• Financial literacy educators and etiquette coaches

• Survivor-advocate mentors trained in the VOICE Framework

Proposed activities:

• Monthly VOICE Framework workshops (communication, emotional intelligence, branding, leadership)

• Girls’ LEAP sessions on self-defense, boundary-setting, and healthy relationships

• Financial literacy classes covering budgeting, saving, and economic empowerment

• Etiquette and social integration workshops focused on confidence, cultural navigation, and public presence

• Peer-led storytelling circles and civic engagement projects

• Community showcase and graduation ceremony to celebrate participant growth

By the end of the six-month program, we expect participants to demonstrate increased self-confidence, improved emotional regulation, stronger communication skills, financial awareness, and a clearer sense of personal leadership identity. We anticipate that at least 85% of participants will report feeling more empowered to advocate for themselves, manage money wisely, and engage in civic life.