Lower East Side Girls Club

MISSION: The Lower Eastside Girls Club (LESGC) supports young women and gender-expansive youth of color throughout New York City in leveraging their inner power to shape a better future for themselves, their community, and the world. As an innovative learning hub, we model practices of community resilience and self-reliance. By championing young people and channeling their curiosity and creative energy, we are transforming our world into one of  “Joy. Power. Possibility.”

HISTORY: For decades, the Lower East Side of NYC had multiple boys’ clubs, but none for girls. In 1996, LESGC’s founders launched a program just for girls in the community. Although lacking a facility, LESGC quickly became a home–enabling members to collaborate and establish meaningful, healthy relationships. After “making it work” in borrowed spaces, our members and community advocated to acquire the plot of land where LESGC now stands. Our 35,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art facility proves that imagination inspires change.

Today, we are globally recognized for our unique program model. Over 450 youth participate in our innovative programs annually—from developing video games in our planetarium and harvesting bok choy on our Rooftop Farm to citizen journalism, sustainability, and civic engagement—all through a lens of activism. We know that you can only serve the whole child by addressing the realities of the community in which they reside. In 2022, we expanded our mission and service population with the opening of our Center for Wellbeing and Happiness, which provides free wellness services for community members of all genders and generations.