Why is there so much Inequality for women in the workforce? This is evident not only between women and men but for minorities as well. Women all over the world face roadblocks on their road to success simply because of their gender. One of the biggest challenges young girls face is not having female role models to look up to. The Media industry prefers to sexualize and dumb down women in order to maximize their profits. Churning out not only the same narratives but also the same type of woman over and over in their print, film, and social media. This translates to the perceptions young girls develop about what they can accomplish in life. As well as fostering a false sense of what a successful women is supposed to look like. It’s important to acknowledge these challenges as a reason for such disparity with those we see occupying high-level positions.

Girls coming from lower income families face even more adversity in the road to establishing a successful career. Receiving fewer resources, inadequate education, and little opportunity to explore their dreams. As college students we have the chance to be role models for the next generation. We need to facilitate the change we want to see, not only to benefit ourselves but also to benefit our own communities and those we live around.

One way to do this is to volunteer and become a mentor. Specifically I am looking at the amazing work the Lower East Side Girls Club has accomplished with their mentee program. The club was founded in 1996 in order to provide services that were not previously accessible or taken away, to the women in the Lower East Side. The LESGC clubs mission is to:

“Break the cycle of local poverty by training the next generation of ethical, entrepreneurial and environmental leaders.”

The program is open to middle and high school aged girls and is completely free. The club aims to try and heal the damage that was done from the crime and violence and chaos that erupted in the city during the sixties through the eighties. Today 30% of residents live with incomes under 19,000 a year. This community is perhaps one of the most populated and diverse neighborhoods in Manhattan. By partnering with families and other community organizations such as non-profits, local businesses, and academic institutions the LESGC hopes to provide a network in which young girls can thrive and achieve anything they set their mind to.

In order to volunteer for the Lower East Side Girls Club you need to fill out an application:

Website:  www.girlsclub.org

Link To Application:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfcfwwjLSvCYf8qFTG1HkczjH56D415-WS2fGaQyKMH5qv2hA/viewform

There are a variety of opportunities for Volunteers. If you feel that you are unable to devote the time to Mentoring sign up instead to participate in a Saturday program offered 4 times a year. Or better yet offer to lead a workshop. If you have a niche for fundraising volunteer for The Angel Alliance and help Raise money to maintain all the programs offered by the LESGC.

It only takes one person to make a difference in someone’s life.