As the Associate Director of Programs at Girls Inc. of Greater Philadelphia & Southern New Jersey (GIGPSNJ), I see every day how much possibility lives inside the girls we serve. In classrooms, community centers, and neighborhood spaces, girls aren’t defined by their circumstances — they grow beyond them. Our trauma-informed approach isn’t something we add on; it’s the foundation of how we teach, connect, and build community. 

The challenges girls are facing nationally are real. According to the CDC’s 2023 Youth Risk Behavior Survey, nearly 60% of teen girls reported feeling persistently sad or hopeless in 2021, and about 30% seriously considered suicide. 18% experienced sexual violence within the same year. These numbers reflect the weight many girls carry before they even walk into a classroom. 

At GIGPSNJ., these realities push us to innovate, not despair. They remind us that healing must be woven into every part of a girl’s experience — emotionally, academically, socially, and physically. 

Girls Inc. was founded in 1864 to serve girls and young women who were experiencing upheaval in the aftermath of the Civil War. For 160 years, we have worked directly with and on behalf of girls, giving us a depth of understanding and expertise that shapes how we respond to their needs today. At GIGPSNJ, we engage more than 2,850 girls each year, centering our work on connection, confidence, and care. 

Creating Spaces Where Healing Happens 

In our programs — whether it’s STEM, leadership development, or wellness — we begin with intention. Every session opens with a check-in, giving girls a safe space to share what they’re feeling before we dive into content. This small practice sets the tone: their voice matters, their feelings matter, and their presence matters. 

Our staff is trained in trauma-informed practices that emphasize grounding, empathy, and mindfulness. Many of our classrooms include self-care stations with journals, fidget tools, and art supplies — simple tools that help girls regulate emotions and re-engage when they feel overwhelmed. These rituals create measurable impact: 92% of GIGPSNJ girls say they don’t give up when they get a bad grade, a direct reflection of the resilience nurtured through consistent emotional support. 

I often think of a middle school girl who used to sit quietly in the back of the room, unsure of her place. Today, she begins each session by leading mindfulness exercises for her peers. Moments like that remind me that healing is not always dramatic — sometimes it’s a small shift in voice, posture, or confidence. Healing, in our model, isn’t reactive. It’s built into the rhythm of how girls learn, connect, and belong. 

Innovation in Action 

Our trauma-informed framework grows stronger through continual innovation. One of the most transformative programs we implement is Mind Body Matters (MBM) — created and expanded by Girls Inc. of New York. As one of six affiliates piloting this work, we help girls develop emotional literacy and self-care practices through reflection, movement, and discussion. MBM now reaches more than 7,000 girls across 7 affiliates and gives them tools they can use for life. 

At GIGPSNJ, this emotional foundation fuels leadership. 87% of our girls think about who they will be when they’re older, demonstrating a strong sense of identity and future orientation — critical traits for long-term academic and career success. 

We also expanded our local work through the Free to Be Me Wellness Center, a partnership with Free People located in the Bok Building in South Philadelphia. The center combines mental health workshops, yoga, creative expression, and family well-being in a space that is warm, welcoming, and intentionally designed for healing. It’s a place where girls and families feel seen, supported, and encouraged to prioritize their wellness. 

Data That Drives Transformation 

Our approach is guided by consistent reflection and research. We use the Strong, Smart, and Bold Outcomes Measurement Strategy (SSBOMS) — developed with Child Trends — to measure emotional well-being, academic skills, leadership development, and healthy decision-making. 

The data tells a powerful story: 

• 43.7% of GIGPSNJ girls report difficulty managing anger or frustration, reflecting the need for regulation strategies. 
• More than 50% say they turn to a trusted adult when sad or stressed — evidence of strong relationships. 
• 85% say science is fun and interesting — a critical STEM engagement indicator. 
• 82% are happy with the way their body looks. 
• 96% have never smoked a cigarette. 
• 92% believe getting pregnant would interfere with school. 
• 99% feel they can get involved in their community. 
• 92% believe they can use what they know to solve real-life problems. 

Across the Girls Inc. network, 92% of participants say they have adults they depend on, and 87% believe they will graduate from college. Locally, 93% of GIGPSNJ girls share that same confidence. 

These outcomes show that our work doesn’t just help girls cope — it helps them lead. 

Healing in Motion 

Healing doesn’t happen in isolation. That’s why our trauma-informed approach extends into families and communities. Through our family engagement sessions, caregivers learn strategies for stress management, communication, and emotional support. When families heal together, confidence expands. 

We also partner with schools, universities, health professionals, and creative organizations to create an ecosystem of support around every girl. This collective approach ensures that girls experience consistency, care, and opportunity from their classroom to their kitchen table. 

Sustaining this work requires intentional investment in staff development, resources, and partnerships. Each year, I watch new groups of girls walk into our programs—quiet, unsure, overwhelmed—and leave more confident, more self-aware, and more prepared to lead. They carry those lessons into friendships, families, and futures, multiplying the impact far beyond our walls. 

Trauma-informed programs, like those we offer at GIGPSNJ, remind young people that their stories and voices matter, and that they are never alone. At Girls Inc., we intentionally create spaces where youth feel supported and able to build meaningful connections. 

Join the Movement 

Healing is a community effort, and we’re building it together. I invite educators, partners, and advocates to join us in expanding trauma-informed, healing-centered programming across our region. 

Learn more about the work we do  Invest in a strong, smart, and bold future

Author’s Note 

Cherice Gordon serves as Associate Director of Programs at Girls Inc. of Greater Philadelphia & Southern New Jersey. With more than 17 years of experience at GIGPSNJ, she leads the design and implementation of trauma-informed, healing-centered programming that supports girls’ academic, emotional, and leadership growth.