Together, we developed a bold vision for girls and gender-expansive youth in LA!

Dear Friends,

We are excited to share that our Los Angeles Kick-Off Event hosted last month was a SUCCESS! THANK YOU to all the community leaders and youth who participated in creating a bold vision for girls and gender-expansive youth in LA County.

The event convened 60 girls’ champions and youth, representing 25 different organizations across LA County, for a day of learning, connecting, and most importantly collective dreaming of the transformative change that is possible for girls and gender-expansive youth when we work together. From inspiring keynote speakers to engaging sessions, attendees had the opportunity to not only learn but to also re-ignite their passion for this work. Of the participants that completed the evaluation of this event, 96% agreed that they are more knowledgeable about the resources and programs that are available to girls and gender-expansive youth in LA County due to the LA Kickoff Event and 95% felt more connected to a broader movement that is supporting and advocating for girls and gender-expansive youth.

Here are some highlights from this powerful gathering:

Nichol Whiteman, CEO of the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation (LADF), captivated the audience with a keynote address that encouraged conscious investment in programs and services for girls and gender-expansive youth.

Our youth keynote Destiny Chapron, Leadership Facilitator at the Positive Results Center, inspired fellow youth with an address that emphasized the importance of self-love and self-validation. Sixty-eight percent (68%) of attendees shared that her address resonated deeply with them.

In collaboration with the Center for Nonprofit Management (CNM), we unveiled the preliminary data from our brand new heatmap of services and programs for girls and gender-expansive youth in LA County, specifically Service Planning Areas (SPAs) 6 and 7. This new heatmap will give the community a snapshot of what resources and programs are already available for girls and gender-expansive youth in these two SPAs and what is still needed to create environments where they can truly thrive. 

During our Collective Visioning exercise, participants were asked to brainstorm what girls and gender-expansive youth in LA County need to thrive on an individual, organizational, community, and public policy level. We took copious notes during the collective vision session, and are working with a youth artist to develop an image that encompasses all these thoughts and will share it with you in the coming weeks. Please look out for it in your inbox soon!

Our photobooth was a big hit! Attendees lined up to take fun photos with new contacts, long-term friends, and AFG staff, all to celebrate our time together at this event. Keep a look out for a photo album from the LA Kickoff event on the AFG website soon.

We are proud to have created a space for inspiration and connection and look forward to building upon this collective vision for girls and gender-expansive youth across LA County in the coming months! If you are interested in featuring your organization in our soon-to-be-launched brand new directory, the Girls* Resource Hub, please fill out this form. This platform will help girls and gender-expansive youth easily find the resources and services they need. 

Finally - please check our website for upcoming events and additional ways to get involved. And don't forget to follow us on social media!