About the Empower Girls Program
Making a difference, one girl at a time.
The goal of Empower Girls is to improve the emotional and mental wellness as well as confidence and self-esteem of middle and high school aged students in the OUSD (Oakland Unified School District) that are experiencing homelessness and/or are generally underserved.
WHAT WE OFFER
Empower Girls provides mentoring workshops that allow students to meet other wellness professionals and support one another via peer mentoring, self-esteem, financial planning and mental health. The self-esteem workshops are designed to empower and increase the self-confidence of participants.
Through the hair care classes the program offers, they also learn to manage and style their own hair in a cost-effective way. Through the support of our sponsors and donations, we have also been able to give free monthly hair care services via the Showing Out Hair Gallery & Boutique.
Our mental health workshops provide resources and knowledge to recognize stressors and ways to handle them.
Through these workshops and more, our girls develop a sense of empowerment and a belief in their own abilities and develop the skills necessary to become effective and influential leaders in their community. They also learn to identify their strengths and weaknesses, and to use those insights to become better leaders and advocates.
Our Impact
Our program has been deeply active in empowering girls to lead with confidence and purpose. We’ve focused on developing leadership skills, boosting self-esteem and self-confidence, and supporting academic achievement—results that have resonated beyond the classroom. Our Middle and High School girls in the OUSD and other Bay Area schools have shown noticeable progress in grades and classroom engagement, while their parents report positive changes at home, including greater motivation, resilience, and healthier lifestyle choices.
Our work is not just about individual growth; it’s about building a ripple effect—cultivating community leaders who uplift others and contribute to a more hopeful future. We invite partners to join us in continuing this important mission, one girl at a time, and to help sustain lasting, positive impact in the lives of young women and their communities.
parent testimonies
“I am so blessed to be welcomed by this salon. Not only do they Show out on hair but they also Show out for the youth. By mentoring and making sure some girls that may be a little underprivileged have high self-esteem and love themselves. One of the ways they do it is by doing their hair for free!!
But they have to keep their grades up. My daughter is one of the girls and she is so happy to be a part of this great team of positive women. From the bottom of our hearts. We are truly grateful. “
Parent
I want to thank Ms. Tillie and everyone for being so supportive for young girls and letting them have opportunity to self-care, confidence and cooking classes make them good inside about themselves and very happy when they get hair done. Thanks again to Showin’ Out Hair Gallery!
Parent
My girls love being involved with this program where they can get their hair done monthly and participate in fun activities to go with it. I would recommend Showin Out Hair Gallery to anyone that wants a fresh style or anyone looking for a place to get their kids’ hair done. I am so grateful for them!
