Our Story
PEARLS began in 1993 as a volunteer effort to help girls in middle school develop social, emotional and practical skills that would prepare them to be empathetic, self-sufficient leaders. Now serving girls 5th through 12th grades, PEARLS supports girls as they wrestle with the upheavals of adolescence, interpersonal, educational and, in some cases, socioeconomic challenges.
PEARLS surrounds girls with positive role models, encouragement, high standards, hope, and support as they are empowered to make their own choices about their futures. The skills girls learn help them choose to complete high school, prepare for college or a career, and live out their version of success.
Where You Can Find Us
Find us in schools and neighborhood centers in and around Milwaukee and at our office on MLK Drive.
A Web of Support
We offer PEARLS groups at schools, neighborhood centers, and other youth-serving organizations’ sites. Our collaborations with the teachers, counselors, and staff at these site partners help us develop a network of care for girls and enables us to support other community initiatives that foster positive youth development.
Our team also serves on boards and committees throughout the community with public and private sector organizations to help foster what researchers have called “an ecology of youth” that can contribute to wide-scale, sustainable social change in Milwaukee.
A Girls-First, Girl-Lead Approach
The most important people involved in our work are the girls we serve. Their voices and needs drive our program delivery. Rather than telling girls what they need, we help them learn to identify, articulate, and use resources to communicate their needs— then we work together to meet them. Girls hold themselves and one another accountable for behaving with high standards of responsibility, empathy, respect and awareness of others.
PEARLS Leadership is a group of dynamic and diverse individuals dedicated to serving girls and maintaining transparency into how we steward the valuable dollars given to support the girls in our community. PEARLS has earned Platinum Transparency, the highest level, for several years running. Check out our GuideStar profile to learn more in-depth information.
Thank you to all the generous foundations, organizations, and individuals who support the work we do.
