In the fall of 2007, the DC Children and Youth Investment Trust Corporation (Trust) sought to expand its efforts to enhance the capacity and reach of out-of-school time (OST) programs specifically targeting girls and young women in Washington, D.C. This "Gender Specific Initiative" aimed to address the unique needs of girls, particularly those of color, by building a community of high-performing, community-based organizations dedicated to their development. The challenge was to create a program that not only supported these organizations but also fostered an environment of sharing, learning, and innovation in the delivery of services to girls.

The DC Children and Youth Investment Trust Corporation was a key organization in Washington, D.C., focused on improving the lives of children and youth through various programs and initiatives. Recognizing the distinct challenges faced by girls, especially girls of color, the Trust decided to launch a gender-specific initiative to bolster the quality and impact of OST programs serving this demographic. The Trust partnered with Symphonic Strategies to design and implement a program that would empower organizations to better serve girls and young women through targeted support and shared best practices.

Symphonic Strategies worked closely with the Trust to design a six-month program that built a learning and sharing community among the selected organizations. Our approach began with organizational and programmatic scans of the participating organizations to understand their strengths, challenges, and areas for growth. We then developed and delivered workshops and seminars aimed at exposing staff and leadership to the latest thought and best practices in working with girls of color.

The program also included the creation of organizational development plans and strategies tailored to improve each organization’s ability to serve girls effectively. We convened sessions with experts in the field, providing a platform for open dialogue and knowledge exchange among grantees. Additionally, we developed a toolkit of best practices to ensure that the organizations could continue to deliver quality services to girls beyond the scope of the initiative.

The implementation process was comprehensive and collaborative. We started with in-depth scans of the selected organizations to identify their specific needs and capacities. These scans informed the development of workshops and seminars, which were designed to be interactive and practical, allowing participants to apply what they learned directly to their programs. The organizational development plans were co-created with each organization, ensuring that they were both relevant and actionable.

Expert convening sessions played a crucial role in fostering a sense of community and shared purpose among the participants. These sessions not only facilitated the exchange of ideas but also encouraged collaboration among organizations that shared similar goals. The toolkit of best practices was developed as a resource that organizations could use to continuously improve their services and adapt to the evolving needs of the girls they serve.

The "Gender Specific Initiative" led to several important outcomes for the participating organizations. The program enhanced the capacity of these organizations to deliver high-quality, impactful services to girls, particularly girls of color. The workshops and seminars provided valuable insights that organizations could immediately implement, while the organizational development plans helped each organization chart a clear path forward. The toolkit of best practices became a critical resource for ongoing improvement and innovation in service delivery. Moreover, the initiative fostered a stronger sense of community among the organizations, enabling them to learn from each other and work together more effectively.

This case study demonstrates the importance of targeted, gender-specific initiatives in addressing the unique needs of girls, especially girls of color, in out-of-school time programs. By fostering a community of learning and collaboration among organizations, Symphonic Strategies helped the DC Children and Youth Investment Trust Corporation enhance the capacity and impact of its partner organizations. The success of this initiative underscores the value of building strong networks and providing practical, actionable resources to support the development of girls and young women.

Are you looking to enhance the capacity of your organization to better serve specific demographics? Contact Symphonic Strategies today to learn how we can help you design and implement targeted programs that address the unique needs of your community and foster lasting impact.