DONATE
Local nonprofit HOPS Heart of Charity will host a free leadership summit on the Far Eastside this weekend for young women ages 14 to 21. HOPS stands for Helping Other People Succeed and the organization hosts a number of workshops and training throughout the year.
The mission is to empower young women and help them build essential skills while navigating school, careers, relationships and finances.
The event on Oct. 18 will include a panel with young women leaders and discussions about mental health, self esteem and goals. Attendees will be able to connect with mentors and work through journaling exercises.
Tearra Dotson, the founder of HOPS, said that through her work as a speaker and professor, she has built up a network of young women who will be speaking at the summit.
“It’s different because it is led by young women,” Dotson said. “I feel like so many of the summits that go on, we have an age difference, and we are talking from our older selves [as] opposed to allowing the young girls to see people like them and meet them where they’re at.”
Dotson said HOPS events are aimed at letting young women and girls engage and partner with their local communities.
“Most importantly, I want anyone [who] is considering bringing their child out or still registering to understand that girls will walk in one way – and leave another,” she said. “Who we are today does not have to determine who we are 10 years from now, or even tomorrow.”
The summit runs from noon to 4 p.m. at a coworking space near 30th and Post Road on the Far Eastside. Spots can be reserved on Eventbrite.
Contact Reporting Intern Erika Kovach at ekovach@wfyi.org.
Support WFYI. We can't do it without you.