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Community Change Maker Spotlight: Girls, Inc. of Greater Pittsburgh
A Second Chance, Inc. is honored to feature Kelsey Waros of Girls, Inc. of Greater Pittsburgh as part of our Community Change Maker spotlight series. Together with her dedicated team, Waros and Girls, Inc. of Greater Pittsburgh, believe that mentorship is more than a program; it is a community-driven strategy for developing confident leaders and future changemakers.
When girls are navigating the change of family dynamics, disrupted caregiving, or uncertainty at home, consistent and affirming relationships can be life changing. At Girls, Inc. of Greater Pittsburgh, mentorship is not an add-on, it is the heartbeat of the organization’s work through building confidence, and opening doors for girls, especially those being raised by kinship caregivers.
“We inspire all girls to be strong, smart, and bold because they already are.”
Kelsey Waros
A Mission Rooted in Empowerment
Girls, Inc. of Greater Pittsburgh is part of a national organization committed to preparing girls to lead and succeed. Locally, the organization partners with 42 schools and community sites across the Greater Pittsburgh area, bringing mentorship directly into neighborhoods where girls live and learn.
Rather than focusing on deficits, Girls, Inc. takes a whole-girl approach by recognizing each girl’s strengths, amplifying her voice, and nurturing her leadership potential.
“Our mentors help girls recognize the power they already have and take that power back into their communities.”
Kelsey Waros
Through 20 weeks of school-year programming and soon expanding summer programming, girls engage in social-emotional learning, confidence-building activities, and hands-on experiences that strengthen self-advocacy and leadership.
Why Mentorship Matters for Girls in Kinship Care
For girls being raised by grandparents, aunts, uncles, or other relatives, stability can look different and sometimes feel fragile. Waros describes Girls, Inc. as a vital “third space” for youth, especially for those in care.
“It’s not home, and it’s not school—it’s a space created just for them.”
Kelsey Waros
This third space allows girls to build peer connections, develop trusted relationships with caring adults, explore their identities without pressure, and feel grounded amid changing circumstances. Because consistency is key, college mentors show up weekly, offering reliability and encouragement that helps girls feel seen, heard, and valued.
Trauma-Informed Mentorship That Builds Trust
Every Girls, Inc. mentor completes extensive trauma-informed care training, ensuring they are equipped to support youth who may have experienced instability, loss, or disruption. Programming is intentionally designed to center youth voice and choice, adapt to individual needs, provide opportunities for reflection, journaling, and one-on-one support, and reinforce that mentorship is never one-size-fits-all.
“Mentors aren’t parents or teachers, they’re guides. And showing up consistently builds trust. Mentors help girls connect the dots and realize they can be change agents in their own communities.”
Kelsey Waros
At the heart of Girls, Inc. programming is a strong commitment to community and sisterhood. Mentors share their own stories to help girls make sense of their experiences and envision new possibilities for themselves. Through shared experiences, meaningful conversations, and collaborative activities, girls build self-esteem and a sense of belonging, both essential for youth navigating complex family systems.
Envisioning a Future Beyond What’s Familiar
One of the most powerful aspects of Girls, Inc. mentorship is exposure. Girls regularly visit college campuses with their mentors, spending full days attending classes, engaging in activities, and envisioning themselves in higher education spaces.
“Every year, girls tell us they want to go to the college their mentor attends.”
Kelsey Waros
Beyond college visits, Girls, Inc.’s Role Models in Residence Program introduces girls to professional women across a wide range of careers from CEOs and entrepreneurs to scientists, chefs, photographers, and medical professionals.
The message is clear: There is no limit to what’s possible.
Supporting Families and Kinship Caregivers
irls, Inc. recognizes that lasting change happens when families are supported alongside youth. Parents and caregivers play an important role in reinforcing mentorship relationships. Through a community newsletter, they stay informed about what girls are learning and are encouraged to continue conversations at home.
Adults are also invited to participate in field trips and experiences to bridge generational gaps, allowing families to engage in the Girls, Inc. journey together.
“We want families to experience Girls, Inc. alongside their girls.”
Kelsey Waros
Currently serving girls in grades 3–8, Girls, Inc. of Greater Pittsburgh is rapidly expanding. With middle school programming now underway and summer camp launching, the organization has its sights set on serving girls from early childhood through high school in the coming years.
“We’re growing fast—and we want to support girls every step of the way.”
Kelsey Waros
Waros offers clear guidance for organizations seeking to create meaningful mentorship opportunities for youth in care: lead with choice and youth voice, build strong relationships while allowing youth to take the lead, offer a variety of experiences, prioritize consistency, and always remember that mentorship is about guidance, not control.
“So much of their lives are decided for them. Mentorship should be the place where their voice leads.”
Kelsey Waros
Mentorship is rooted in consistency, care, and possibility that doesn’t just change individual lives. It strengthens families and communities. At Girls, Inc. of Greater Pittsburgh, girls are reminded every day that they are already strong, smart, and bold and their future is wide open.
At its core, Girls, Inc. of Greater Pittsburgh is doing more than mentoring girls. It is cultivating leaders, strengthening families, and shaping a more equitable future for the next generation. By centering youth voice, investing in relationships, and creating spaces where girls feel seen, valued, and empowered, Girls, Inc. exemplifies what it means to be a true community changemaker. Their work reminds us that when girls are supported and trusted to lead, the impact extends far beyond the individual, transforming neighborhoods, systems, and generations to come.
Get Involved with Girls, Inc. of Greater Pittsburgh
Community members can support Girls, Inc. of Greater Pittsburgh by volunteering as a mentor, participating in the Role Models in Residence Program, hosting field trips or workshops, or subscribing to the community newsletter.
Learn more about how Girls, Inc. of Greater Pittsburgh is shaping confident leaders.