School & Community Based Circles

Our school and community based circles are spaces of joy where girls make friends, and learn new skills. School circles take place weekly or bi-weekly during or before school and utilize a strengths based curriculum that includes activities/topics such as self esteem, health and wellness, conflict resolution, hygiene, healthy relationships, communication and more. Participants also gain access to enriching experiences on weekends such as trips, job shadowing, our career fair, and more.

Circle facilitators are typically teachers, social workers, college students, or school personnel trained by Pretty Purposed to lead girl centered programming. Volunteer mentors provide additional support and positive connections. Pretty Purposed girl circles are designed to increase self regulation, self esteem, and self management. We align our social emotional learning competencies with the standards with the goals set forth by the Virginia Department of Education.

Through our partnership with Voices for Virginia’s Children, we also engage girls through learning advocacy and storytelling skills, while rallying around an issue or policy that is important to them. Participants culminate their experience by meeting with state and local lawmakers on advocacy day at the General Assembly to champion youth perspective on policies.

Currently our school based circles span across Dinwiddie, Petersburg, Hopewell, and Sussex. If you are interested in signing your child up for a program fill out this form. Your child must attend a participating school and be in 5th grade and up. If your child does not attend a participating school, you may sign them up for our program located at the Petersburg YMCA.

Pretty Purposed leadhers cohort

Alumni Leadhers are ambassadors for our organization, gain access to leadership skills and training, and lend voice to girl centered work. Former Pretty Purposed participants that are rising 8th, 9th, and 10th graders are eligible to apply. Leadhers:

• Attend Pretty Purposed training

• Support Social Media Content Development & Engagement 

• Work alongside our community council to provide feedback

• Participate in youth voice related opportunities

• Provide community outreach and program support  

• Earn a stipend for their work

• Commit to four hours a month of engagement

We are not accepting applications at this time for Alumni Leadhers. Our next cohort will open in 2025.