The purpose of the HerShe Group is to empower emancipated female foster youth to successfully transition into adult independence and realize their full-potential by eliminating the barriers that impede successful living and effective leadership through a holistic cutting-edge training program that allows a young woman to engage honestly, directly and effectively with issues at the heart of her life: family, health, education, entrepreneurship, socioeconomic empowerment, self-expression and social advocacy.
The program has five (5) main components:
1. Training for Self-esteem, Leadership and Life Management
A 10-week training curriculum that combines expert presentations with peer collaboration in a professional setting. HerShe faculty represents a diverse group of professionals from various sectors of the corporate community. This is a life-changing experience that has several impressive outcomes, including higher self-esteem, better relationships, personal productivity, clarity of purpose, creative _expression, enhanced public speaking, improved communication skills, greater willingness to take risks and invite challenges, excelling beyond self-imposed limitations, increased ability to identify solutions to problems and increased life fulfillment.
2. Scholarships
Provides scholarships for emancipated female foster youth to pursue higher education. We also provide other college support services, i.e. tutoring, care packages, etc.
3. Temporary Housing
Provides temporary housing during college breaks, since emancipated foster youth often have no place to go “home” for the holidays.
4. Summer Internships
Provide summer internship opportunities in chosen fields of interest.
5. Mentoring
Provides mentors for each youth in program.
Why Emancipated Foster Female Youth?
Foster children leave the foster care system when they reach the age of 18 – an experience which the Dependency System refers to as “emancipation.” From the age of 18, there is no mandated support for them from the state or the county. Some foster youth may have developed an enduring relationship with their foster family, while others return to their family of origin.
But for many, turning 18 and leaving foster care is like being stuck in a storm without shelter. The general population celebrates their 18th birthday with excitement and with anticipation towards the future, preparing for the inherent transitional challenges that accompany the journey to adulthood, undergirded by parental support. Emancipating foster youth are no exception – they absolutely need all the things that a parent would give a child of the same age.
The state of California is home to 20% of the entire nation’s population of foster children, and each year, nearly 3,600 youth are discharged from the Child Welfare System. Many leave without access to any formal system of support. Many are homeless, lack educational and employment preparedness, need public assistance, become pregnant, have mental health problems, experience physical victimization, sexual assault, and involvement with the criminal justice system.
Moreover, with respect to gender, California children in foster care are disproportionately female, and are characteristically more wounded, deprived, and heavily laden with emotional scars that affect their bodies, their world view, and their behavior. Their life experiences have left them suffering from severe anxiety, depression, poor health, nutrition, and low self-esteem.
Women with low self-esteem are vulnerable to societal pressures that result in anxiety, guilt, depression, shame, criticism, violence, drug abuse, negative relationships, feelings of victimization and other internal attacks which prevent women from obtaining long-term self-sufficiency. It has been proven that individuals must have a certain level of self-esteem before they are willing to persevere long enough to succeed. Self-esteem may have a far greater impact on future success than intelligence or talent. Researchers have argued that self-esteem for women is especially predictive of life outcomes and the ability to overcome obstacles. Therefore, self-esteem for the emancipated female is strongly predictive of her ability to achieve independence, long-term self-sufficiency, and life of meaning and purpose.
Self-esteem programs have shown to make a long-term difference in the livelihood and well-being of many. As the social safety net disappears from the lives of emancipated female foster youth, it becomes even more important for organizations, like the HerShe Group, to establish new strategies to support their successful transition into adulthood.
Our History
The HerShe Group, a project of Community Partners, has delivered its self-esteem development and leadership training to young women for the past five years. Through this program, our training and development has influenced the lives of hundreds of young women and girls throughout the state of California.
We enjoy a fulfilling partnership whereby Community Partners take full legal and fiscal responsibility for our organization as we diligently work to realize the HerShe Group mission.
