Empowering Future Leaders: Summer Bridge at TYWLS Staten Island
The Young Women’s Leadership School (TYWLS) of Staten Island recently welcomed its newest cohort of sixth-grade students. Their journey with TYWLS began with our highly successful Summer Bridge program. Far more than a typical orientation, this immersive experience builds confidence, forges lasting connections, and ignites a passion for learning. Throughout the program, participants learn about TYWLS values, leadership principles, and key competencies vital for success in their academic journey.
This year, incoming students participated in dance workshops, exploring choreography while building relationships. These sessions focused on developing crucial skills like creativity, confidence, collaboration, and communication—all essential for personal growth and leadership. In a world where young women often face unique obstacles, we’re providing our students with the tools, mindset, and support to overcome any challenge.
The summer program concluded with an “Affirmation Day” event, where students reflect on their dreams and aspirations. They crafted powerful, personal declarations on mirrored boards, with statements such as “I will be a leader,” “I will be a sister,” and “I will lend a helping hand.”
In a world where societal pressures and stereotypes often undermine the self-esteem of young people, especially girls and gender-expansive youth, developing inner confidence is paramount. Writing affirmations on mirrors symbolized students recognizing these positive traits within themselves. As they recited the words aloud, students embraced their innate potential and the supportive community they’re joining. This day empowered students to recognize their worth at a pivotal age where their sense of self is the most vulnerable.
Our approach with TYWLS students is rooted in a fundamental principle backed by extensive research: early intervention is key to long-term success. By involving students as early as the summer before they enter middle school, TYWLS fosters a college-going culture and lays the foundation for achievement that goes beyond graduation. Data confirms what we’ve long understood: investing in the education and empowerment of young women during these formative years, leads to lifelong benefits; not only for the students themselves, but also for their families and communities.
