| Our mission | Our mission is to help homeless and high-risk girls and young women avoid violence, teen pregnancy and exploitation, and help them to explore and access the support, resources and opportunities necessary to be safe, to grow strong and to make positive choices in their lives. |
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Alternatives For Girls (AFG)
| Ways to help youth thrive |
Asset Building MentoringThe Asset Building Mentoring program partners adult mentors with middle school girls who participate in Alternatives For Girls' after school program. Asset-Building is a college and career prep program that helps participants become academically and financially ready to go to college or another post-secondary educational program. The role of the mentor is to serve as a positive role model and engage in recreational and educational activities with their assigned mentee. The mentor also supports the mentee with career and college exploration activities. The mentor and mentee maintains a one on one relationship meeting in the community at least twice a month. Mentors are also invited to attend educational and recreational field trips with their mentee, organized by Alternatives For Girls staff. Mentors are required to make a two year commitment to the program, meeting 8-10 hours each month. **At this time we are only looking for new mentors and are not accepting additional youth for the program. |
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| Ways to help |
MentorThe Mentor serves as a positive role model for an assigned individual participant, usually an adolescent, meeting twice a month/two hours each time to engage in recreational/ educational activities. Hours vary.Child Development AssistantWork with children ages 0‐5 years old doing age appropriate activities, including reading and arts and crafts to develop their motor skills. Weekdays 6-8pm or Sunday 7-9pm.Workshop/Support ServicesFacilitate workshops to develop skills/ coping mechanisms/ emotional stability of participants. Topics can include but are not limited to self‐esteem, harm reduction, nutrition, safety, money management, governmental benefit explanation, and others. Hours vary.Crisis Resource Center AdvocateAdvocates serve as a listening ear and conduit of information about resources inside and outside of AFG. They also answer the phone and assist any walk‐ins seeking assistance. Daily 9am-9pm (4-hour shifts).Sew Great Detroit Sewer/KnitterAssist in the teaching of valuable sewing and knitting skills; machine sewing and hand finishing techniques, understanding characteristics of fabric, fabric cutting methods, and beginning design concepts. Weekdays 10am-3pm.Street Outreach WorkerOutreach workers employ a harm reduction approach to addressing the risks of unprotected sex, drug use, violence and illegal activities. They engage contacts in conversation, offer material assistance and referral information. Volunteers will either work alongside veteran volunteers, staff, or interns. Volunteers receive extensive training by AFG. Wednesday or Thursday 6-10:30pm.TutorProvide tutoring to girls and young women, while developing rapport and relationships with many young women. Topics range from Reading, Science, Math and History. Hours vary.Kitchen AssistantHelp teach the basics of cooking or assist in the preparation of meals with our participants. Sunday thru Thursday 3-6pm.Corporate & Civic Group VolunteersFamily, friends, and colleagues are welcome to volunteer together at Alternatives For Girls for a one-time project or special event. Projects vary.Project/Administrative AssistantAssist with the coordinating of resources or projects behind the scenes. Hours vary.After-School Program AssistantAssist with after‐school program for elementary through high school aged girls. Opportunities include: workshop assistants, Spanish translators, driving assistants, food preparation assistants and more. During academic school year, only. Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday 3-7pm.Rise N' Shine AssitantAssist with preparing and organizing activities for summer youth camp. Activities include weekly field trips, arts and crafts, writing, and theater. Tuesday and Wednesday 9am-3pm or Thursday 9am-3pm.Front Desk GreeterAnswer phones, direct guests to appropriate departments and programs, admitting guests into building. Weekdays 9am-5pm. |
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| Items we need now |
Amazon Wish List ItemsYou can support the girls and young women at AFG by purchasing these mush needed items. Learn More |
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| How you help | Originally a small volunteer-run program, operating a five-bed emergency shelter in a neighborhood church, Alternatives For Girls (AFG) has evolved into a multi-service agency with over 50 employees. Last year, more than 300 volunteers gave approximately 9,000 hours of their time and talents to AFG. |
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| About us | Founded in 1987, Alternatives For Girls (AFG) is a southwest Detroit-based nonprofit organization. We serve homeless and at-risk girls and young women through shelter, prevention, and outreach programs. When a young woman becomes homeless, every moment she spends on the street increases her risk for exploitation and trafficking. We meet girls and women where they are. At Alternatives For Girls, they can access safe shelter, crisis support, and so much more. With this support, girls can stay out of harm’s way, succeed in school, graduate, and become leaders in their communities. Most importantly, they have a safe place to learn and grow. |
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Two weeks ago, we were thrilled to finally welcome some of our Prevention program participants back into the building for a socially distant spring break day of activities.
One inmate at the Michigan Department of Corrections Lakeland Correctional Facility is planting a seed for a hopeful future. Read Felton Mackiehowell’s story about how he organized a fundraiser for AFG on our blog. https://alternativesforgirls.org/planting-a-seed-for-a-hopeful-future/
Thanks to our partnership with @ForgottnHarvest, we’ve been able to feed almost ONE THOUSAND people a month. Our next FREE food giveaway is this Thursday, April 15 from 9 AM - 12 PM (or while supplies last). When you arrive, please drive to the back entrance on Vinewood.
Thanks to your generosity through our fund the mission during the 2021 Role Model Celebration, along with auction bids, we exceeded our fundraising goal of $280,000! In total, we raised $294,229 to support our programs and services.
It’s Sexual Assault Awareness & Prevention Month. If you or someone you know needs support, our Crisis Resource Center is available to you 24/7. 888-AFG-3919 #SAAPM
