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Inaugural CT Chapter of “Young Women’s Initiative” Is Funded by Ares Charitable Foundation, Melinda French Gates, Ford Foundation, and Others

West Hartford – Secretary of the State Stephanie Thomas and State Rep. Bobby Sanchez joined business and community leaders in New Britain on Sept. 25 when the Aurora Women and Girls Foundation unveiled a new initiative that will help to train the next generation of women leaders of color.

Aurora’s “Young Women’s Initiative,” which will launch in October at the YWCA New Britain, is the product of an exciting collaboration among Aurora, the New Britain YW, and the National Philanthropic Collaborative of Young Women’s Initiatives (the Collaborative), a consortium of 15 Women’s Funds from across the country.

It is the first of its kind in Connecticut and brings international funding to Connecticut’s women and girls via the Ares Charitable Foundation and the Collaborative, which is supported by Melinda French Gates’ Pivotal Ventures, the Ford Foundation, and various family foundations.

“We are excited to introduce this proven national model to Connecticut and to refine, develop and replicate this program designed by and for young women of color,” said Aurora Executive Director Jennifer B. Steadman, Ph.D. “Through the YWI, Black and Latina young women will develop skills that can help to ensure their success in school and the workforce.

“I’m also thrilled that we’ll be offering the young women the opportunity to gain hands-on experience in philanthropy: They will be asked to award $20,000 in grants to address the issues in their community that they believe are most urgent,” she added.

(Photo: Secretary of the State Stephanie Thomas (center) congratulates the high school girls who are members of the Aurora Foundation’s brand-new Young Women’s Initiative at the New Britain YWCA. Photo credit to Leslie Gomez, LMG Photography)

Beginning in October 2024, the YWI – comprising 25 high school girls of color — will meet at the House of Teens at the YWCA New Britain, an after-school program for female-identifying and non-binary teens that offers activities focused on enhancing healthy lifestyles.

Founded in 2007, the House of Teens is a robust, trusted, and popular place with dedicated staff who will lead weekly, two-hour sessions, supplemented by trained experts, respected community leaders, and professionals from the business, education, and non-profit communities.

Every Wednesday, the YWI students will attend workshops on financial literacy; healthy relationships; physical and mental wellness; and public speaking and other forms of self-expression. They will also explore post-secondary educational opportunities that can lead to economic mobility, including certificate programs as well as 2- and 4-year colleges.

“Helping individuals access the knowledge, resources and opportunities they need to reach their full potential is core to the grants that we award deserving nonprofits,” said Ares Charitable Foundation President Michelle Armstrong. “We are proud to partner with Aurora and commend the team’s unwavering efforts to help young women make informed decisions about their future and the difference they can make in their community.”

Guest speakers from myriad professions will introduce the girls to a variety of careers, particularly those with which they might not already be familiar. YWI participants will also take field trips to local colleges and businesses as well as to Aurora’s own Women’s Leadership Forum at CT State Capital in Hartford in November 2024.

During the year, after researching and discussing community issues that they have identified as most pressing, the YWI students will be charged with awarding $20,000 in grants to area organizations that are addressing those issues.

(Aurora Executive Director Jennifer Steadman, PhD, is flanked by Secretary of the State Stephanie Thomas (left) and New Britain YWCA Executive Director Tracey Madden-Hennessey at the YWI ribbon-cutting on September 25. Photo credit to Leslie Gomez, LMG Photography)

“Through this process the girls will become empowered as change agents – and they will also discover how hard it can sometimes be to give away money,” said Dr. Steadman.

The Aurora Women and Girls Foundation was invited to join the Collaborative in January 2024, after several years of research and discussion with Aurora’s leadership.

“We are thrilled that Aurora is now a member of the National Philanthropic Collaborative,” said Ana L. Oliveira, President and CEO of the New York Women’s Fund. “Aurora brings a track record of dedication and success in uplifting the lives of girls and young women that will contribute enormously to our collective efforts across the country. We can’t wait to see what the future holds for the very first Young Women’s Initiative in CT!”

Aurora is grateful to the following Community Partners for their annual operating support: Ares Management; Barnes Group; the Commission on Women, Children, Seniors, Equity, and Opportunity (CWCSEO); Cowdery, Murphy & Healy; Eastern CT State University; Family First Life; the Goss Family; the Green & Blue Foundation; KeyBank; Liberty Bank; Max Cares Foundation; NBT Bank; Jennifer W. Pennoyer, MD;  PeoplesBank; PNT Data; Pullman and Comley; Robinson + Cole; Ruel Ruel Burns Feldman & Britt; Shipman & Goodwin; Symetra; Tokio Marine HHC; UConn Health Disparities; The Village for Families and Children; Trinity College; Wealthspire; Whittlesey; and the YWCA Hartford Region.