Young Women's Initiative

Opened September 25th, 2024, at the House of Teens, YWCA New Britain

Young Women's Initiative

We're building the next generation of leaders.

The Aurora Young Women’s Initiative (YWI) is an exciting collaboration among the Aurora Women and Girls Foundation, YWCA New Britain, and the National Philanthropic Collaborative of Young Women’s Initiatives (The Collaborative), a consortium of 15 Women’s Funds from across the country.

Through the YWI, Black and Latina young women will develop skills that can help to ensure their success in school and the workforce. They will also learn how to implement strategies to improve their communities. 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.

Aurora’s partnership with the Collaborative brings national funding to Connecticut’s women and girls via Melinda French Gates’ Pivotal Ventures, the Ford Foundation, and other national funders, as well as the Ares Charitable Foundation, a longtime supporter of Aurora.

How It Will Work

Beginning in September 2024, the YWI 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, all of whom will be women of color.

These sessions will be focused on three key areas:

EDUCATION

Aurora makes cutting-edge research on the needs of women and girls widely and easily available. The Women and Girls Data Platform provides a hub for key information on health, education, workforce participation and leadership for Connecticut’s women and girls.

In November 2023, the new report "Elusive Equity: Continuing Effects of the Pandemic on Women’s Economic Security," created in partnership with CTData Collaborative shows new data on how women are faring post-pandemic.

Aurora Research→
CAREER EXPLORATION

Guest speakers from myriad professions will introduce students 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 Aurora’s Women’s Leadership Forum at CT State Community College - Capital in Hartford in November 2024.
Aurora Grantmaking→
CIVIC ENGAGEMENT

The Aurora Foundation convenes an annual Women’s Giving Circle where women experience the power of personal philanthropy through a member-based collaborative grantmaking process. This experience offers a deep dive into the needs within a specific focus area around women and girls, culminating in a grant award to a local nonprofit voted on by the group. Aurora engages men in the power of philanthropy through its Annual 100 Men’s Campaign.
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