"Just for Girls" (JFG)

The OJJDP FY 10 Earmarks Program furthers the Department's mission by providing grants, cooperative agreements, and other assistance authorized by the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act of 1974, as amended, to organizations identified in the Conference Report to accompany the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2010 (P.L. 111-117), H.R. Conf. Rep. No. 111-366 at 702-714.

The YWCA Pasadena-Foothill Valley's Just for Girls (JFG) is a development and education program designed to help low-income girls ages nine to 17 increase their self-esteem thereby reducing their risk for dropping out, substance abuse, gang involvement, truancy, and other high-risk behavior. JFG employs Girls Circle, an accredited and proven young girl curriculum that is recognized as a 'model program' by OJJDP. JFG serves girls enrolled in the Pasadena Unified School District (PUSD). JFG serves a target population within the PUSD that is over 70% Hispanic, 20% African American, and 90% low-income. The goal of JFG is to increase the self-esteem of girls. To accomplish this goal, annual objectives include: 1) expand program by recruiting 192 girls ages nine to 17 to participate in the program; 2) provide weekly or biweekly after-school program sessions; and 3) provide mentoring and support through ongoing contact with staff members. Performance measures include increased school attendance, increased GPA, improved communication skills, and program satisfaction, among others. NCA/NCF