Being 11 - 14 is not easy for any girl in this culture; it is even harder for refugee girls trying to bridge cultures and manage the cultural issues that occur within their families and community.

There are not many activities available for young people in the Cedar Riverside neighborhood and not a lot of places for young girls to safely “hang out” together. Girls like the Center and their mothers like it too because they know that the Center is culturally appropriate and that their daughters are well supervised.

With mainstream volunteers providing content (sewing, weaving, computer skills, art, and cooking) and young Somali college women facilitating the group, Girls’ Group has been meeting regularly since June 2006. Currently, they meet on Tuesdays after school, but they are lobbying for more time (they often show up “to help” on Fridays after school). They are also encouraging Center staff to start a second group for their younger sisters. One of the girls says, “It’s fun at the Center and you learn things there too.”