Women and Youth Supporting Each Other (WYSE)
Empower young women by providing the resources and support necessary to make positive life choices and create community change
WYSE is a national nonprofit that seeks to empower young women by providing the resources and support necessary to make positive life choices and create community change. The program pairs female-identifying university students with middle school girls to form bonds of mutual friendship and trust. The Stanford Chapter builds two-way relationships between Stanford students and middle school girls at Connect Community Charter School in Redwood City. Mentors meet weekly with students to exchange wisdom on womanhood, growing up, school, and more. The WYSE National curriculum covers topics including body image, puberty, race and discrimination, sexual health, future goals, healthy relationships and decision making, community engagement, friendship, financial literacy and nutrition. Weekly sessions incorporate these themes alongside group games and related art projects. As an organization, Stanford WYSE hosts a yearly “Period Party,” field trip to Stanford, and graduating banquet for participating mentees.