The Chica Story: Where we’ve been and where we’re going
Reflecting on our vision and mission.
If you’ve been following our organization for some time, you’ll know that we just celebrated our 15th anniversary! For a decade and a half, Chica Project has worked to become a pillar of support for young Women of Color in the Greater Boston area. Born out of a desire to see youth empowered, Chica Project has been through many periods of growth and change over the years. From expanding our programs to navigating a global pandemic, we’ve been through a lot. We’re so proud of the community that we’ve fostered and the work we’ve been able to do. Reflecting on what an amazing milestone 15 years is, we thought it would be the perfect time to share a bit more about who we are as an organization and what we hope to achieve.
Whether you’ve been with us from the start or are just now joining in on the journey, allow us to (re)introduce ourselves!
We are Chica Project.
Our Mission: Rooted in our culturally affirming, intergenerational, and asset-based framework, we support chicas on a lifelong journey of community and self-discovery to build collective power.
Our Vision: We are working towards a world where women, girls, and all people experiencing oppression at the intersection of race, ethnicity, and gender have the opportunity to rise to their full potential.
Our Values: Chica Project believes in a youth-led approach towards holistic liberation. We reject any initiative, label, or narrative that is not by us, for us, or with us by committing to the autonomy to redefine practices that for too long have been imposed on our community.
power & potential
cariño & connection
grace & intention
radical authenticity
autonomy to redefine
At Chica Project, we’re all about intentionality. For us, the focus is not just on doing the work; the focus is on who we’re doing the work for. Our chicas are at the center of everything we do. From skill-building workshops to social outings to in-school programming, we curate our curriculum specifically to meet chicas right where they are. In a world that is typically unkind to young Women of Color, we understand the importance of empowering the next generation so that they can step into adulthood with confidence. We believe not only in practical skills development but also in channeling self-love and self-discovery. A chica’s growth doesn’t stop once they graduate from our programs – our hope is that they take their experiences from Chica Project and apply them in their futures as they become leaders themselves.
By empowering these young Women of Color today, we light the fire for change for years to come. Through the work of our dedicated team and inspiring mentors, Chica Project is on a mission to uplift every chica on her journey of self-discovery.
Although we have been continually working toward our vision for the past 15 years, we also want to emphasize that we are just getting started. There’s so much to look forward to in the coming months, including our upcoming Chica Camp in July and the start of the next school year. As always, our goal is to foster environments where chicas are free to learn, grow, and challenge themselves to be the fullest versions of themselves. You can read more about our work on our Programs page.
We hope you continue to walk alongside us as we break barriers and build collective power. Keep up with all that we’re doing by following us on social media or signing up for our email newsletters. Thank you for supporting our work and being a part of our community of change-makers!
