I AM. I CAN. I WILL.

​See More Behaviors

• Assumes negative intent rather than positive?

• Fails to choose positive influences?

• Experiences periods of sadness and anger?

• Spends most of her time sleeping?

• Percieves the world as polarizing (black and white thinking)?

• Often blames herself?

Maybe she...

• Is afraid to try new things?

• Claims she doesn't like people?

• Becomes impatience with herself when she makes mistakes?

• Sets her goals based off of other people?

Sponsors and Partners

Girls Like Me

Increases self-esteem and directly influences the self-efficacy of teen girls ages 11-17 years old through mastery experiences.

Program Benefits

• Possess the ability to demonstrate effective communication.

• Understand how to present themselves as a person with high self-efficacy.

• Identify and execute goals.

• Possess the ability to combat negative thoughts.

• Acquire an understanding of the failures, successes, and roadmap of others.

• Understand and exercise personal health.

• Accurately interpret their efficacy based upon emotional and psychological states.

• Possess the ability to analyze the content of their thoughts in an unbiased manner.

Program Features

• Interactive group mentoring

• 18 Hands-on workshops

• Based on data-driven curriculum developed by experts

• Interactions with 10+ community members and pillars

• Once in a lifetime experiences such as participating in the Dominion Energy Christmas Parade!

Our Founder

Déja Coley, Founding Executive Director

Life is continuous cycle of discovery and growth. I found myself stuck in the past believing that I was someone who I was not.

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No child experiences limitations of who they should be until the world starts deciding for them. My earliest recollection of developing these mental limitations began during my middle school years. I heard that I was boisterous, bossy, too enthusiastic, and my all-time favorite to-date, self-centered. For a long time, I just went with the flow; I tried to tone it down a bit, stay unnoticeable (as much as I could) and push my needs to the end of everyone else's. I know, it's nuts! But, I truly believed that I was just. too. much. and kept serving this kool-aid with no sugar version of myself on a rusty platter.

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Well, that got lame. During a very long 18 credit hour, 23 hour work week, college semester as a Computer Engineering major, I had an epiphany. I had been missing out on knowing, nuturing, and loving who I was because I was stuck in the past loving that watered down person who I believed I was. But I have strengths that someone else experiences as weaknesses; I can do something about this. Standing in my truth, birthed Girls Like Me.

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Girls Like Me is not about a clique of teen girls who all love makeup, wearing pink on Wednesdays, or playing video games. Girls Like Me is about transforming the lives of girls who've allowed the opinions of others to affect how she views herself. This program aims to shift her mindset from who they say she is, to who she says she wants to be.

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Today, I fully cultivate these ideas by living fearlessly free of the burden of caring what others think. I am enough. I can lead. I will make an impact in this world.

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Eurphorically,

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Déja Coley

Founding Executive Director

Frequently Asked Questions

What is self-efficacy?

Self-efficacy is the belief in one’s ability to influence events that effect one’s life and control over the way these events are experienced. (Bandura, 1994)

My daughter is 10, can she still join?

She must at least be enrolled in the sixth grade at the start of the program.

Where do you meet?

In the Museum District of Richmond, Virginia.

When do you meet?

Biweekly on Saturdays, 10AM-3PM.

Is this a free program?

No.

What do enrollment fees cover?

Meals and supplies for each workshop.

How can I enroll my daughter?

Our enrollment period for Session 4 is now closed. Please submit your name on the waitlist here to be notified when applications for Session 5 become available.

How long is a session?

Sessions are September - June each year.

How can I enroll my daughter?

Applications for our upcoming session will open on August 5, 2019, and close on August 9, 2019. Please submit your name on the waitlist here to be notified when applications become available.