Young Women Leaders Program

UMKC Women's Center
Young Women Leaders Program (YWLP)

The UMKC Women's Center, in collaboration with Multicultural Student Affairs, is proud to present the Young Women Leaders Program. Modeled on the founding Program at the University of Virginia, this is a year-long mentoring program that focuses on promoting middle school girls’ leadership abilities by combining the benefits of one-on-one mentoring with targeted group activities for a year. During the year, each middle-school girl is paired with a college woman—her “Big Sister”—with whom she meets twice weekly to address issues related to girls’ sense of self, scholastic achievement, body image, social aggression, and healthy decision-making. Each Big and Little Sister pair also meets individually for an additional hour each week to develop their personal relationship. Please see below for details on the program, expectations for Big Sisters, and how to apply.

Big Sisters
YWLP Big Sisters will undergo training in a mentoring strategy class and participate in group session planning and support, in addition to meeting with her Little Sister for a weekly one-on-one lunch. The mentor will benefit from theoretical knowledge about girls and mentoring, as well as the opportunity to apply that knowledge in mentoring situations. Mentors will also benefit from the relationships they build with their Little Sisters.

Little Sisters
YWLP Little Sisters will see their mentor twice weekly – once at the group session, which involves all Big and Little Sisters in engaging discussions and activities that center on girls’ issues, and once at a weekly one-on-one school lunch. Little Sisters will benefit from YWLP by participating in group sessions to progress their personal development as leaders and agents of change in their community, as well as the bond that forms in one-on-one interaction during lunches and phone calls. Little Sisters are selected by their school and must attend a participating school to be eligible for the program. Currently, the only school participating in this program is the Kansas City Middle School for the Arts.

Group Sessions
The weekly group sessions will focus on topics such as leadership qualities, media literacy, female friendships, and other topics that address girls' lives. Group sessions are intended to engage the Little Sisters through interesting, appropriate, and meaningful activities that broaden their understanding of the world and their selves. The YWLP group sessions create a safe, accepting environment in which Big and Little Sisters can enjoy exploring life and making connections.

Brown Bag Lunch
The brown bag lunch is an additional opportunity for Big and Little Sisters to build a relationship. Big Sisters meet with their Little Sisters at the Little Sister's school during lunch hour to eat lunch together and continue to maximize their relationship. This provides a unique opportunity to communicate outside of the group sessions, and will facilitate more intimate conversations.

Parental Involvement
YWLP recognizes the irreplaceable and vital role that parents and guardians play in the development of girls’ leadership abilities. YWLP is committed to ensuring that parents of YWLP Little Sisters will be included in the process, through frequent parent-mentor phone calls and optional parent attendance in YWLP events, such as the Year-End Ceremony and the Appreciation Dinner. YWLP seeks to enhance the hard work and devotion of parents in the lives of the Little Sisters.

Big Sister Expectations for Participation

Attending class each week. The corresponding courses allow you to receive 3 course credits in the fall semester and 1-2 course credits in the spring semester. Information on registering for the courses will be provided after you have been accepted into the program. YWLP courses also count towards the Certificate in Girls' Studies, offered by the Women's & Gender Studies Program.
Attendance at weekly group mentoring session.
Weekly one-on-one contact with your Little Sister for a minimum of 1 hour/week.
Commitment of one year as a mentor.

How Do I Apply?
Applications are not currently being accepted. Please check back for updated information on application deadlines.

This program made possible in part by a grant from the Girls Grant Project at the Women's Foundation.


Home About Us Events Young Women Leaders Program Violence Prevention and Response Lactation Stations Resources Contact	UMKC Women's Center Young Women Leaders Program (YWLP) The UMKC Women's Center, in collaboration with Multicultural Student Affairs, is proud to present the Young Women Leaders Program. Modeled on the founding Program at the University of Virginia, this is a year-long mentoring program that focuses on promoting middle school girls’ leadership abilities by combining the benefits of one-on-one mentoring with targeted group activities for a year. During the year, each middle-school girl is paired with a college woman—her “Big Sister”—with whom she meets twice weekly to address issues related to girls’ sense of self, scholastic achievement, body image, social aggression, and healthy decision-making. Each Big and Little Sister pair also meets individually for an additional hour each week to develop their personal relationship. Please see below for details on the program, expectations for Big Sisters, and how to apply. Big Sisters YWLP Big Sisters will undergo training in a mentoring strategy class and participate in group session planning and support, in addition to meeting with her Little Sister for a weekly one-on-one lunch. The mentor will benefit from theoretical knowledge about girls and mentoring, as well as the opportunity to apply that knowledge in mentoring situations. Mentors will also benefit from the relationships they build with their Little Sisters. Little Sisters YWLP Little Sisters will see their mentor twice weekly – once at the group session, which involves all Big and Little Sisters in engaging discussions and activities that center on girls’ issues, and once at a weekly one-on-one school lunch. Little Sisters will benefit from YWLP by participating in group sessions to progress their personal development as leaders and agents of change in their community, as well as the bond that forms in one-on-one interaction during lunches and phone calls. Little Sisters are selected by their school and must attend a participating school to be eligible for the program. Currently, the only school participating in this program is the Kansas City Middle School for the Arts. Group Sessions The weekly group sessions will focus on topics such as leadership qualities, media literacy, female friendships, and other topics that address girls' lives. Group sessions are intended to engage the Little Sisters through interesting, appropriate, and meaningful activities that broaden their understanding of the world and their selves. The YWLP group sessions create a safe, accepting environment in which Big and Little Sisters can enjoy exploring life and making connections. Brown Bag Lunch The brown bag lunch is an additional opportunity for Big and Little Sisters to build a relationship. Big Sisters meet with their Little Sisters at the Little Sister's school during lunch hour to eat lunch together and continue to maximize their relationship. This provides a unique opportunity to communicate outside of the group sessions, and will facilitate more intimate conversations. Parental Involvement YWLP recognizes the irreplaceable and vital role that parents and guardians play in the development of girls’ leadership abilities. YWLP is committed to ensuring that parents of YWLP Little Sisters will be included in the process, through frequent parent-mentor phone calls and optional parent attendance in YWLP events, such as the Year-End Ceremony and the Appreciation Dinner. YWLP seeks to enhance the hard work and devotion of parents in the lives of the Little Sisters. Big Sister Expectations for Participation Attending class each week. The corresponding courses allow you to receive 3 course credits in the fall semester and 1-2 course credits in the spring semester. Information on registering for the courses will be provided after you have been accepted into the program. YWLP courses also count towards the Certificate in Girls' Studies, offered by the Women's & Gender Studies Program. Attendance at weekly group mentoring session. Weekly one-on-one contact with your Little Sister for a minimum of 1 hour/week. Commitment of one year as a mentor. How Do I Apply? Applications are not currently being accepted. Please check back for updated information on application deadlines. This program made possible in part by a grant from the Girls Grant Project at the Women's Foundation.
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