Our work
GEM Program
Our Girls’ Empowerment and Mentorship (GEM) Program bridges gaps in education, economic opportunities, and social access for girls in Korea’s social welfare system.
Opportunity Gaps
Girls in Korea’s social welfare system often face systemic barriers like social stigma, gender bias, and wage inequality, making it harder to pursue stable futures. Many also experience higher risks of bullying and abuse due to their backgrounds.
Focus Areas
We support young women aged 8-18 by creating learning environments and opportunities tailored to their specific age groups and individual needs.
Career Exploration and Readiness
To prepare the girls for life beyond the welfare system, we take a holistic, age-based approach to career development. Elementary students begin by exploring their interests through company visits, career talks with women entrepreneurs and leaders, and thematic workshops and camps. By middle and high school, they dive deeper into their passions while gaining practical skills in job etiquette, interview preparation, and resume writing.
Mentorship and Empowerment
We create workshops and safe spaces that support the girls’ social and emotional growth, encouraging them to express their thoughts and feelings in healthy ways. Noticing how receptive they are to guidance from older peers, we aim to launch a peer-to-peer mentorship program connecting younger students with college-aged scholars for support.
Educational Support
Many girls fall behind in school due to various challenges and limited access to private tutoring, making it harder to plan for their futures. We support them through academic enrichment workshops, camps, and college visits to broaden their horizons.
Past GEM Events and Workshops
STEM Summer Camp
In 2024, we brought eight girls to Seoul for a week-long STEM summer camp, where they participated in hands-on workshops, experiential learning, and mentorship sessions with women leaders in STEM. This exposure broadened their career horizons and inspired them to stay engaged in STEM subjects.
Local Hiking Trip
After speaking with children’s home caregivers, we learned that many girls had never explored the natural landmarks in their own communities. To change that, we organized a local mountain hike, where they enjoyed breathtaking views, a fall picnic, and an exciting first-time cable car ride—making the experience both fun and memorable.
Unexpected Arts Camp
During our 2025 winter camp in Seoul, elementary and middle school girls explored identity and emotions through art, movement, and storytelling. In collaboration with ABC Lab and Seoul-based choreographer Audrey Lim, they stepped outside their comfort zones to engage with both contemporary and traditional artistic styles.
“One night, after a day of visiting women in STEM entrepreneurship, the girls started to play “business” and were assigning each other roles such as CEO, intern, and office worker… When asked if they were more interested in science after the week, they all said yes. These felt like wins.”
- Chloe
- Fulbright Alumni, CDAF Grant Winner, 2024 STEM Camp Chaperone
Ways You Can Support
While we aren’t accepting outside volunteers at this time, we welcome financial support and connections to unique opportunities or collaborations.
