Leading the Way: Noted Researcher Dr. Molly Mead Shares Research On How Girl Specific Programming Creates Transformational Change

Research Focuses on Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Milwaukee and Partnership with The Brico Fund

Nearly five years ago, Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Milwaukee sought to improve the way it served female members. What started as a girl-specific mission has transformed how all of its members are served today.

On Wednesday, March 3, noted researcher Dr. Molly Mead will share her report about this change in, “Leading the Way: How Focusing on Girls Creates Community Transformation.” She will present her findings at the Woman’s Club of Wisconsin, 813 E. Kilbourn Avenue.   The event runs from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. and will also include commentary from Club members about how the Boys & Girls Clubs’ new targeted programs help them succeed.

Dr. Molly Mead, director of the Center for Community Engagement at Amherst Collegeand a national expert in assessing how much and to what extent coed youth programs meet the needs of girls , will present her report based on three years of research she conducted for The Brico Fund, a philanthropic partner with Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Milwaukee. The two worked together and openly to improve the Club experience for girls.

“Thanks to our partnership with The Brico Fund, we’ve been able to transform our thinking and redesign how we serve and impact all of our young people,” says Jim Clark, President & CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Milwaukee.

In addition to transitioning to outcome-driven programming, Dr. Mead’s research served as a catalyst for other organizational changes within the Clubs, including enhanced staff training and increased management accountability and a groundbreaking centralized/decentralized program model to bring outcome driven programming to scale across the entire network of 38 Boys & Girls Clubs.

Click the following link to read the full report: /resources/1/How Paying Attention to Girls Creates Community Transformation.pdf