Thousands of girls have the opportunity to participate in community teams during this free 12-week program. Girls in grades 6-12 identify challenges in their communities, and design and implement creative solutions to address them as teams. Each group has two women coaches to guide and support the girls through the project. This is a free after school program in partnership with public schools and communities. Girl Action Teams can be offered through schools, community centers, faith-based organizations and other places.
About Girl Action Teams
IMPORTANT NOTE: Girl Action Teams that meet in community schools are only open to students enrolled in those schools. If your child does not attend the school she is registering for, she will not be accepted.
Girls For A Change supports Black girls in multiple ways. For High School Girls, our Girl Ambassador Program and Immersion Lab are great programs to consider. Want to start a Girl Action Team in your school or community center? We accept new teams in the summer for a Fall launch. Learn more here.
What do girls get?
- a community team dedicated to creative problem solving
- monetary stipend available
- a community service certificate
- opportunity for a free Immersion Lab membership
Girl Action Teams support girls in fully developing their voices, abilities, and problem-solving capacities to realize their full potential. They tackle social issues they feel passionate about, coming up with solutions with guidance from their coaches. Action Teams are at the heart of Girls For A Change (GFAC).
Find your school below and Apply to Join a Girl Action Team.
Girl Action Team Locations and Projects
Brief Description
Her Journey Home is a year-long, culturally grounded program for (8th grade) middle school and high school girls (9th–12th grade), highly recommended by Camp Diva participants but open to new Girls For A Change (GFAC) participants. The program culminates in a transformational 10-day journey to Ghana in 2026.
Rooted in the wisdom of the Sankofa bird—the belief in looking back to move forward this Girl Action Team provides a life-changing opportunity to explore identity, resilience, and global Black girlhood through workshops, storytelling, service, and cultural immersion.
With only 10 participants selected, the program is designed to be an intimate and intentional experience. Chaperones, alumnae , and a film crew will join the trip, documenting the brilliance, freedom, and possibilities of Black girls traveling the world.
For Rising 8th Graders + High School Girls
(Rising 9th–12th Grade)
Meeting Days
Mondays 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm
October 20th - April 27th
Monthly Virtual Sessions
Location
Girls For A Change Branch
100 Buford Rd
North Chesterfield, VA 23235
Brief Description
From Fifth Grade to the Future is a Girl Action Team for George Washington Carver students, designed to prepare 5th-grade Black girls for the transition into middle school with confidence and joy. Modeled after our Mission In Bloom summer curriculum, the program combines journaling, book clubs, and weekly Sistah Circles to create safe spaces for reflection, self-expression, and belonging.
Open to George Washington Carver Elementary School Students (designed for 5th graders)
Meeting Days
Wednesdays 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm
October 8th - April 29th
Location
George Washington Carver Elementary School
1110 W. Leigh St
Richmond, VA 23220
Program is full.
Brief Description
The John Rolfe Girl Action Team is a year-long program designed to nurture the social and emotional well-being of middle school girls. Meeting weekly, participants use journaling, reflection, and creative expression to explore themes of identity, wellness, and leadership while receiving guidance from skilled facilitators and licensed guest instructors. Through culturally relevant, gender-specific workbooks written by authors with lived experience, girls gain tools that affirm their identities and center their voices. Along the way, they co-lead Sistah Circles, develop projects rooted in self-expression, and prepare for the year’s capstone event the Wellness Showcase, where they share poetry, spoken word, storytelling, art, and a collaborative document that reflects their growth. This transformative experience helps participants build confidence, discover their voice, and step into leadership as change-makers in their school and community.
Open to John Rolfe Middle School students only
Meeting Days
1st + 3rd Mondays and 2nd + 4th Tuesdays
1:45 pm- 3:15 pm
October 6th - April 27th
Location
John Rolfe Middle School
6901 Messer Rd
Richmond, VA 23231
Program is full.
Brief Description
The Orchard House Girl Action Team is a year-long, girl-centered program where students meet weekly to strengthen their voices, build confidence, and design community-driven solutions. Guided by skilled facilitators and supported by culturally relevant books and Sistah Circles, participants engage in journaling, reflection, and creative expression while developing leadership and wellness skills.
Open to Orchard House Middle School Students only
Meeting Days
Wednesdays 3:30 pm - 4:15 pm
October 8th - April 29th
Location
Orchard House Middle School
500 N Allen Ave
Richmond, VA 23220
Brief Description
Living Archives at VMFA is an eight-month Girl Action Team where participants explore identity, culture, and creativity through the inspiring backdrop of the Alicia Keys and Swizz Beatz collection at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts. Participants will research their family and community history, engage in workshops on storytelling and oral history, and transform their discoveries into creative projects, such as art, writing, and multimedia. Together, they will curate both individual and collective exhibits that celebrate heritage and self-expression. The program culminates in a public showcase at VMFA, where girls present their work as curators of their own stories. Beyond art-making, the program builds leadership, confidence, and cultural pride while also opening pathways to workforce opportunities such as a paid summer internship at VMFA through the Girl Ambassador workforce program.
Open to any school - 8th - 12th grade
Meeting Days
Wednesdays from 4:30 pm - 6:00 pm
October 22nd - April 29th
Location
VMFA Pauley Center
215 N Sheppard St
Richmond, VA 23221
Lucille Brown Middle School provides transportation to and from the event.
Brief Description
Living Archives at VMFA is an eight-month Girl Action Team where participants explore identity, culture, and creativity through the inspiring backdrop of the Alicia Keys and Swizz Beatz collection at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts. Participants will research their family and community history, engage in workshops on storytelling and oral history, and transform their discoveries into creative projects, such as art, writing, and multimedia. Together, they will curate both individual and collective exhibits that celebrate heritage and self-expression. The program culminates in a public showcase at VMFA, where girls present their work as curators of their own stories. Beyond art-making, the program builds leadership, confidence, and cultural pride while also opening pathways to workforce opportunities such as a paid summer internship at VMFA through the Girl Ambassador workforce program.
Open to Lucille Brown Middle School
River City Middle School provides transportation to and from the event.
Brief Description
Living Archives at VMFA is an eight-month Girl Action Team where participants explore identity, culture, and creativity through the inspiring backdrop of the Alicia Keys and Swizz Beatz collection at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts. Participants will research their family and community history, engage in workshops on storytelling and oral history, and transform their discoveries into creative projects, such as art, writing, and multimedia. Together, they will curate both individual and collective exhibits that celebrate heritage and self-expression. The program culminates in a public showcase at VMFA, where girls present their work as curators of their own stories. Beyond art-making, the program builds leadership, confidence, and cultural pride while also opening pathways to workforce opportunities such as a paid summer internship at VMFA through the Girl Ambassador workforce program.
Open to River City Middle School
Girl Action Team in the News
Girls For A Change is helping these students find their voices
Girl Action Team Projects Include:
Impact
- Empower girls to be social-change-makers by providing the tools, resources and support they need. Girls experience the process of shifting attitudes, values, and actions to address social problems in a positive way.
- Promote engagement with professionals who support their projects and their journey toward becoming social-change-makers and innovators.
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Identify and respond to community needs to help girls become empathetic, reflective individuals.
There are many benefits when young people are involved as leaders in social change efforts. Involved youth gain experience and confidence, and the skills and leadership abilities that will broaden their future opportunities.