Emily Building POWER

POWER stands for Positive Opportunities for Women of Every Race and that's what we do.  Co-designed, named and advised by the VOICE Advisory Committee, The POWER Program opened it's doors in North Minneapolis in April 2016.  Led by the dynamic young women on the VOICE Committee, all of whom have been through the justice system themselves, we designed a program for girls, by girls.

POWER serves girls ages 12-20 in Hennepin County who have come in contact with the juvenile justice system through groups and case management.  Groups consist of topics such as Identity, Managing Stress, Sexual Health and Decision Making, Healthy Relationships with Family, Peers, and Romantic Partners, Nutrition and Body Image, Chemical and Mental Health, Job Readiness, and Leadership Development just to name a few.  Speakers from community organizations are guests in group to ensure we create connections between the girls and resources in their own communities. It's important that girls in POWER have the opportunity to build relationships with other young women, seek and give support, and discuss topics relevant to their lives. Because we know we don't exist in isolation, everything from the food served at group to the art on the walls is supporting our community and the people in it.  Case Management is uniquely created by each girl depending on her goals for herself.  Everything from enrolling in yoga class or learning to knit, to touring local college campuses or getting checked out at the sexual health clinic are options for how to spend their case management time. 

The time that girls spend in POWER is intensely personal and we feel honored to be allowed into the lives of our girls.  Not everyone is going to be in that role, but that doesn't mean we don't need you!  We need folks who care about young people.  Folks who care that young women are enrolled in school, have a place to live and have healthy bodies.  Folks who care about what the world could look like if those kids don't get support. We need THOSE folks, and their friends and family, to GIVE and give generously.  Is that you?

Think of a time when you were a young person and you needed someone desperately to listen, support, and get your back.  Well, you have a chance to be that person RIGHT NOW for someone.  Don't pass it up.