Girls' LEAP Releases FY2026 Impact Report, "From Voice to Action"
Girls' LEAP served 490+ girls and gender-expansive youth this year, reaching its three-year strategic plan goal one year early.
Girls' LEAP has released its FY2026 Impact Report, From Voice to Action. It highlights a year of growth, youth leadership, and community connection across Greater Boston.
This year, Girls' LEAP served more than 490 girls and gender-expansive youth. That milestone reached the organization's three-year strategic plan goal a full year ahead of schedule. Girls' LEAP also launched 15 Boston-area programs that build leadership, emotional regulation, and self-defense skills.
"Across Greater Boston, our empowerment and self-defense programs help girls and gender-expansive youth build confidence, recognize danger, communicate boundaries, develop healthy relationships, and advocate for themselves and others," said Executive Director May Vaughn.
Youth leadership in action
The Teen Mentor Program continued to put youth leadership into practice. Teen Mentors facilitated programs, mentored younger youth, and built skills in leadership, wellness, financial literacy, and college and career readiness. Girls' LEAP also launched its Teen Mentor Summer Program this year.
"I can do both, work in a group and work alone, to make a kid safer," said Teen Mentor Dejanique Thompson. "If they want to work one-on-one, I make that happen."
Youth voice also shapes how the organization is governed. Teen Mentor Melanie Herrera Cardenas serves as a full voting member of the Board of Directors.
Meeting new digital safety needs
Girls' LEAP expanded Media Mindset, its youth-created approach to digital safety. The program helps participants recognize unhealthy behaviors and make informed decisions online.
A growing community of support
Individual fundraising reached $100K this year. That total includes the first annual Women's Leadership Brunch, where youth speaker Ja'Netta Williams shared a message at the heart of Girls' LEAP: your experiences matter, your voice has the right to be heard, and you have the power to lead.
Girls' LEAP also welcomed Stone House as a new partner, deepening its commitment to the Roxbury community.
"What makes me proudest is watching our young people find their voices, advocate for themselves, support one another, and recognize their own strength," said Board President Alkia Powell.
Read the full report
The FY2026 Impact Report includes stories from the field, program highlights, and recognition of the donors, funders, and partners who made this year possible. [Read the report →][LINK]
About Girls’ LEAP
Girls’ LEAP has over 25 years of experience delivering out-of-school programming to all girls and gender-expansive youth in the Greater Boston area. Our mission is to disrupt the violence that surrounds girls by amplifying their voices, emboldening their courage, and providing critical life and self-defense skills. Our programs for youth ages 8-22 include physical self-defense and social-emotional skill-building. Through physical self-defense training, youth recognize and develop their physical strength. They build confidence to use their voices, set boundaries, create healthy relationships, and develop as leaders. We believe the synergy between physical and emotional intelligence can transform the lives of our program graduates.
"Every day, we are privileged to learn with and from the youth at Girls' LEAP. They teach us, challenge us, and amaze us. We thank them, and we thank you. It is your support and engagement that make Girls' LEAP possible."
Girls' LEAP Team