YWCA Pasadena-Foothill Valley

Our after school programs are held on site at the YWCA - Pasadena and off site at the schools.

The YWCA provides a caring, supportive, safe and fun environment that encourages girls to share, grow and learn about themselves and the world in which they live. The Just for Girls curriculum includes, but is not limited to:

a) Positive self image building.
b) Communication skills and interpersonal dynamics.
c) Identification of life skills necessary for personal growth and development.
d) Introduction to educational and career opportunities.
e) Leadership skills and development.
f) Field trips.
g) Community service projects.

In order to fully benefit from the above curriculum, a requirement is that the girls meet consistently on the same day, at a set time. With the help and guidance of trusted program staff who lead the groups weekly, the girls build confidence and self-respect, scholastic abilities, and social skills. The groups have low teacher to student ratios and thus get a great deal of individualized attention, as well as, learn from a healthy peer support network.

The YWCA Pasadena-Foothill Valley “Just for Girls” program continues to provide a consistent positive presence in the lives of girls. For 10 years this after-school program has fostered the growth of young women, while encouraging them to focus on becoming strong in mind, body and spirit. Taking place throughout the school year on Pasadena Unified School District campuses and at the YWCA, under the guidance of a trained mentor, this program gives its participants a place to dream big. The girls explore ideas, develop relationships, self-confidence, and build new skills. The setting in which the program operates ensures a safe space to talk about issues as they relate to violence, body image, peer pressure, and sex education. Just for Girls strives to empower girls so they can make good choices and achieve success in education in order to attain economic independence and live a healthy, productive, and rewarding lifestyle.

The Just for Girls program is confident that girls can be empowered to achieve important, beneficial and great things in the future. The program teaches they are bursting with possibility, and helps develop the protective factors that will increase success at home, in school, and in the community.