GIRLS LIKE US
EMPOWERMENT GROUP
WHEN GIRLS THRIVE - COMMUNITIES RISE
GIRLS LIKE US (G.L.U.) is a prevention-based empowerment program for Black and Brown girls ages 8–18 in Wilmington, Delaware. We create culturally grounded, trauma-responsive spaces where girls build protective factors like self-confidence, emotional regulation, positive peer connection, and trusted adult relationships.
Through weekly circles, mentoring, and interactive learning, girls explore safety, self-care, identity, advocacy, and leadership — gaining the tools to thrive in school, in community, and in their own becoming.
Community Partners
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Bayard Middle School
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Children & Families First DE
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Pulaski Elementary School
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Maurice Pritchett Sr. Academy
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McCullough Middle School
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Serviam Girls Academy
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The Terry Center
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City of Wilmington Delaware
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West End Neighborhood House
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Department of Services for Children, Youth and their Families
WHAT WE DO
Supporting Black girls as children first — and giving them the tools and confidence to uplift and advocate for themselves.
WHO WE SERVE
G.L.U. supports Black and Brown girls from communities navigating real pressures — including adultification, instability, and systems that too often expect them to carry responsibilities beyond their years.
We focus on strengthening protective factors such as self-worth, healthy relationships, identity development, coping skills, and a sense of belonging. Our girls deserve spaces where they are held, affirmed, and equipped — not pushed into survival.
By combining education, experience, and meaningful engagement, G.L.U. provides holistic, age-appropriate support within a continuum of care that nurtures healing, growth, and long-term empowerment.
HOW WE SERVE
G.L.U. is a culturally rooted prevention program that creates safe, supportive spaces where girls build confidence, skills, and sisterhood.
We provide:
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Mentorship from caring adults who reflect our girls’ lived experiences
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Social-emotional learning that strengthens communication, coping, and emotional regulation
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Life skills and leadership development like goal-setting, decision-making, and self-advocacy
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Cultural reflection that nurtures pride, identity, and community connection
Every session is designed so girls feel seen, supported, and powerful — building the tools to thrive at home, at school, and in their communities.
Our approach is grounded in prevention and youth development best practices.
CHILDHOOD ADULTIFICATION
Let Our Girls Be Girls
Adultification occurs when children are prematurely exposed to adult responsibilities or knowledge—often assuming caregiving, financial, or emotional roles within their families. This early role reversal typically arises in families facing economic hardship, housing instability, or limited social support, and it increases vulnerability to stress, trauma, and burnout.
Ethnographic research by Burton identifies four stages of childhood adultification, which can erode protective factors such as stable adult guidance and age-appropriate socialization:
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Precocious Knowledge – Children gain early awareness of adult issues (e.g., finances, relationships) and may imitate adult behaviors.
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Mentored Adultification – A child assumes limited adult roles under some supervision, often feeling valued yet still navigating power dynamics.
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Peerification/Spousification – The parent-child boundary blurs as the child becomes a peer, confidant, or co-parent figure.
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Parentification – The child fully assumes parental duties, caring for siblings or even parents—common in families affected by poverty or substance use.
Adultification disproportionately affects youth of color and those from low-income households, weakening protective factors like consistent caregiving, emotional safety, and social support. Strengthening family resilience, increasing access to community resources, and offering prevention programs that promote coping skills, mentorship, and emotional regulation are critical to disrupting this cycle and restoring balance to family systems.
SUSTAINING THE WORK
Take Action Now
MAKE A DONATION
Show Your Support
Your support helps us empower the next generation of girls through mentorship, education, and prevention.
Every gift—no matter the size—makes a difference. All donations are fully tax-deductible.
Please include “Girls Like Us” in the gift note to ensure your contribution is directed to our program.
OUR WHY
Black Girls and other Girls of Color often experience bias and inequity in schools and communities that limit their opportunities to thrive. Girls Like Us (G.L.U.) advocates for fair policies, supportive environments, and access to resources that nurture success, wellness, and leadership. By centering prevention, empowerment, and belonging, we work to ensure every girl is seen, supported, and celebrated for who she is and who she’s becoming.
When Girls thrive, communities rise!
Audre Lorde
“There is no such thing as a single-issue struggle because we do not live single-issue lives”
CONTACT GIRLS LIKE US
West End Neighborhood House, Inc.
710 N Lincoln St.
Wilmington, DE, 19805