LOWER EAST SIDE GIRLS CLUB
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Mission Statement
The Lower Eastside Girls Club (LESGC) supports young women and gender-expansive youth of color throughout New York City in leveraging their inner power to shape a better future for themselves, their community, and the world. As an innovative learning hub, we model practices of community resilience and self-reliance. By championing young people and channeling their curiosity and creative energy, we are transforming our world into one of “Joy. Power. Possibility.”
About This Cause
For decades, the Lower East Side (LES) had multiple boys’ clubs, but none for girls. In 1996, a group of mothers and activists decided to change that. Our founders went door-to-door to share that they were launching a program for girls. Although lacking a facility, LESGC quickly became a home–enabling members to create, collaborate, and establish meaningful, healthy relationships. After “making it work” in borrowed spaces, our members and the larger community advocated to acquire the plot of land where LESGC now stands. Our 35,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art facility proves that imagination inspires change. Today, we are globally recognized for our unique program model. Over 1,000 youth participate in our innovative programs annually—from developing video games, viewing planetarium shows, and harvesting bok choy on our rooftop farm to sustainable design, citizen journalism, music production, fine arts, and wellness—all through a lens of activism and efficacy. Their voices are amplified in a space where they are safe to dream, grow and thrive. LESGC offers afterschool and summer camp programs, mentorship opportunities, access to mental health counseling, and various other services for youth and their families in a historically underserved community. 97% of our members identify as BIPOC, and over half of our members live in local public housing. In 2022, we launched the Center for Wellbeing and Happiness (CWBH), a supportive space for community members of all ages and genders to access care, rest, and exposure to culturally relevant wellness programming. Services include Classes and Support Groups, a Weekly Food Pantry, Wellness Counseling, and Financial Wellness & Workforce Development programs, among others.