men·tors

where young people can see who they can be.

Two Latina girls sitting together and smiling at a Chica Project Boston mentoring program, representing the close bonds and confidence built through youth mentorship for Girls of Color

Our mentors lift chicas up so that they can pursue aspirations they originally felt were beyond their reach.

Our hands-on programs, mentorship, and experiences build confidence in middle and high school students, propelling them to become future leaders.

By fostering intimate engagements and long-standing relationships with industry leaders of diverse backgrounds, Chica Project inspires the belief that anything is possible.

A Black woman mentor writing Chica Project on a whiteboard during a Boston youth leadership program session, inspiring Girls of Color to see who they can become through hands-on mentorship

Mentors Matter.

Mentors change lives in ways more profound and far-reaching than just professionally.

Chica Project illustration of a young Woman of Color seeing her own reflection, representing the self-love and personal development that mentorship cultivates in Girls of Color
  • Is there any impetus stronger than someone who believes in you? Greater self-esteem and self-confidence are born of the knowledge that someone thinks you can. Trusts you can. This powerful force propels youth to greater heights.

  • Once she believes in herself, a young woman makes healthier relationships and life choices. Lower likelihood of substance abuse, teen pregnancy, dating violence, and crime rates follow. Good for society, and for HER a better life, decades into her future.

  • By seeing where education can take them—having a coach and cheerleader in their corner—girls’ aspirations rise. They graduate from high school, enroll in college, or pursue vocational trades. This change will affect their families for generations into the future.

  • Like a personal trainer for her career, a mentor improves a young woman’s interpersonal skills, offers feedback on resumes and job prospects, and can ultimately make a decisive difference in the career path and growth of a future leader.

One chica at a time.

Once empowered to believe “I CAN,” chicas expand their aspirations, strengthen their voices, and exercise more choice across all areas of their lives—in their homes, their relationships, their families, their workplaces, and their communities. When women and girls are empowered to live to their full potential, everyone benefits exponentially. Our communities, our country, our world are transformed.

Five Latina Women of Color wearing Chica Project "I'm a mentor" t-shirts standing confidently together in front of a brick wall in Boston, representing the diverse community of mentors who uplift Girls of Color

Being a Mentor Means:

Having a cheerleader who supports, a teacher who demonstrates, a friend you can lean on, and a person who will check you and is there to simply show you the path and be your guide.”

CINDY | CHICA PROJECT MENTOR

“Challenging out of love. I believe mentors are not meant to be a voice for others, but rather, to challenge you out of love and inspire you to tap into your own power and voice.”

VALERIA | CHICA PROJECT MENTOR

“Allowing for a brave space where girls from various areas and backgrounds can connect and hear from women with similar values and align on what experiences they have had and the best ways to achieve the things that they are looking forward to.”

LIECHELLE | CHICA PROJECT MENTOR

“A mentor is someone who allows you to see the hope inside yourself.”

— Oprah Winfrey