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WOW — Working On Womanhood

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A space to be heard. A community to grow.

Bring WOW to Your School

See WOW in Action

Step inside WOW and hear from the young women and counselors who make the circle a place for connection, growth and belonging.

What Is WOW?

Growing stronger, together.

Adolescence brings big changes, big emotions and big questions. WOW gives girls and young women a consistent space during the school day to talk, listen, reflect and grow alongside peers and a caring adult.

Through weekly small-group circles, participants strengthen self-awareness, emotional intelligence, healthy relationships, leadership and goal-setting—skills that help them navigate challenges while recognizing their own strengths and possibilities.

WOW is a school-based counseling and mentoring program serving students in grades 6–12. Its curriculum draws on evidence-based therapeutic approaches and is delivered by trained WOW counselors throughout the school year.

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More than a Circle.

WOW creates opportunities for young women to discover new things about themselves—and each other—in and beyond the school day.

Self-Awareness

Recognize your strengths, understand who you are and find confidence in being yourself.

Emotional Intelligence

Understand your emotions and develop healthy ways to respond to what life brings.

Healthy Relationships

Practice communication, boundaries, trust and mutual respect.

Leadership

Speak up, set goals, support others and recognize your ability to make a difference.

Visionary Goal-Setting

Imagine what’s possible, set goals and keep moving toward them.

Youth Guidance’s recent Camp WeHaKee story describes WOW students putting these skills into practice through new experiences: Building Confidence and Leadership at Camp WeHaKee.

Beyond the Circle

Confidence grows by trying something new.

Proven Impact

When young women feel supported, things can change.

62%

experienced fewer PTSD symptoms*

71%

experienced fewer depression symptoms*

96%

reported that WOW helped them make better decisions about themselves*

*UChicago Education Lab; Youth Guidance FY25 data

In Their Words

Youth Guidance has made me who I am today. It’s my first year with WOW, and I will definitely come back because I’ve made so many bonds.
Sophomore, Skyline High School Anaiah

WOW Across the Country

National reach. Local relationships.

WOW brings relationship-centered counseling and mentoring to young women in schools and communities across multiple regions: Boston, Chicago, Dallas and Kansas City.

Interested in bringing WOW to your school or district?

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Find WOW Near You

WOW is offered in 5 cities across the country.