About G.A.P – Girls Aspiring with Purpose
Who We Are
At Girls Aspiring with Purpose (G.A.P), we believe every young girl deserves the opportunity to grow, lead, and thrive. Founded in 2013, G.A.P was created to provide mentorship, education, and community involvement opportunities that help girls build confidence, character, and a fearless mindset.
We recognize that between intermediate and junior high school, girls face intense pressures—from self-doubt to peer influences—that can shape their self-esteem and future choices. G.A.P exists to bridge that gap by creating a supportive, empowering space where young girls can develop leadership skills, set goals, and form lifelong connections.
Through monthly workshops, mentorship programs, and community engagement initiatives, we equip girls with the tools they need to navigate life’s challenges with confidence and resilience. Our mentors and advisory board members are dedicated to guiding, uplifting, and inspiring every young girl who joins our program.
At G.A.P, we don’t just mentor—we ignite ambition, nurture potential, and build future leaders.
"To Make a Connection Where There is a Great Difference!"
Every young girl deserves guidance, support, and a community that believes in her potential. At G.A.P, we bridge the gap, inspiring confidence and purpose in the next generation.
OUR MISSION
G.A.P’s mission is to empower young girls to become ambitious and fearless through education and character development, mentorship and community involvement. We teach life skills, build character and promote self-discipline.
OUR VISION
Young girls will be empowered to accomplish their goals, live fearlessly and become community advocates with an understanding of their value and potential. The girls will be purpose-driven towards their goals and aspire to have abundant and healthy lives.
COre Values
Our Guiding Principles
At G.A.P, our mission goes beyond mentorship—we are shaping the next generation of confident, purpose-driven young women. Our core values serve as the foundation of everything we do, ensuring that every girl in our program feels supported, empowered, and prepared to lead. These principles guide our mentorship, workshops, and community initiatives, helping us create a lasting impact on the lives of the girls we serve.
EXCELLENCE
Excellence is the standard expected from our mentors, mentees, and their families, demonstrated through consistent attendance, active participation, and striving to be the best versions of themselves.
LEADERSHIP
Leadership is about showcasing honesty and taking meaningful actions. Our organization models this for our girls and community, setting an example of integrity and purpose in every endeavor.
INTEGRITY
Integrity is the commitment to making quality decisions that foster a successful life. It involves staying true to values and ensuring actions align with principles of fairness and honesty.
RESPONSIBLITY
Responsibility involves helping our girls learn and grow from their choices, acknowledging the impact of their decisions, and exploring opportunities that will positively influence their lives.
ENGAGEMENT
Engagement is about being an active and responsible citizen. We teach and model involvement in communities, schools, workplaces, and families to inspire positive change in every environment.
EMPOWERMENT
Empowerment fuels our mentees to live boldly, with confidence in their beauty, power, and greatness. It inspires them to recognize their value and potential, pursue ambitious goals, and lead abundant, healthy lives.
OUR SERVICES
What We Offer
At G.A.P (Girls Aspiring with Purpose), we provide more than just mentorship—we create a transformative experience where young girls develop confidence, leadership, and lifelong skills. Through engaging workshops, enriching experiences, and strong mentor relationships, we equip girls with the tools they need to succeed in school, relationships, and life.
MONTHLY WORKSHOP
Interactive sessions focused on self-awareness, confidence, goal-setting, etiquette, and personal growth.
Each workshop is designed to help girls discover their strengths and build resilience.
SMALL GROUP OUTINGS
Opportunities for mentees to engage in fun, educational, and community-based experiences while strengthening friendships and social skills.
SUPPORTIVE MENTORSHIP
Personalized guidance from mentors who are dedicated to helping girls navigate challenges, develop leadership skills, and make empowered decisions.
COMMUNITY EVENTS
Teaching the importance of giving back through volunteering events such as feeding senior citizens, participating in charity walks, and supporting local initiatives.
NUTRITIOUS MEALS
Active participation in parades, conferences, and charity projects that allow girls to build confidence, represent G.A.P, and give back to their communities.
SUPPORTIVE & SAFE SPACE
A welcoming environment where girls can express themselves, find their voice, and build self-confidence while being surrounded by positive role models.
Gallery
Our Journey in Pictures
“A picture is worth a thousand words, and our journey speaks volumes.”
Achievements and Awards
CelebratingOur Success
2023: Celebrated 10 years of service.
2023: Honored by the Mayor of Center Point, AL for the community impact award.
2023: Life Enhancement Champion Award by Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
2024: Received a $40K grant from Amazon that was used to sponsor families for Christmas and celebrate 10 years since founded in 2013.
Join Our Mission
Together, we can inspire, uplift, and transform lives. 💜
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Annual Events
Memorable Experiences
Ethan’s
Heart
Ethan’s Heart Bags4Blessings is focused on one of the greatest needs of our unhoused community—staying warm and creating care packages for distribution.
Feeding Senior
Citizens
Reed Harvey Senior Citizen Center is our home. Volunteering and giving back is our way of saying THANK YOU.
Southern Black Girls Dream Conference
Interactive workshops, panel discussions and hearing from leaders, changemakers, and visionaries who will empower and challenge us to dream big and take action.
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Magic City
Classic Parade
Showcasing community pride.
Testimonials
Voices that Inspire
Angel Peterson
"My name is Angel Peterson, and I am a senior at the University of Alabama, a proud member of Girls Aspiring with a Purpose (G.A.P.) for the past 10 years, joining the organization in fifth grade. This organization has made an incredible impact on my self-esteem, creativity, and career. Today, I am honored to serve as the Secretary on the board of the G.A.P. nonprofit organization. This role allows me to give back to the community that has poured so much into me, ensuring that G.A.P. continues to empower and inspire young girls just as it did for me.
To any young girl considering applying to G.A.P., my advice is simple: invest in yourself. Yes, getting up early on Saturdays might be tough, but the rewards are immeasurable. The lessons you learn, the confidence you build, and the community you gain will shape you into the best version of yourself."
Jinaya Murrell
"I am a junior at the University of Alabama. I have been a proud member of Girls Aspiring with a Purpose for 10 years. G.A.P. has made a profound difference in my life by helping me morph into the woman I am today. They instilled in me the confidence that I can achieve all the goals I set for myself. When I first joined G.A.P., I was a small, shy child unsure of my voice. Thanks to my mentors and the workshops G.A.P. provided, I gained the self-confidence to advocate for myself and others. These workshops taught me invaluable skills, like public speaking and leadership, which helped me step out of my comfort zone. This program is more than an opportunity—it’s a sisterhood and a support system that helps you grow into a well-rounded, confident woman. G.A.P. opens your eyes and heart to those around you and teaches you to recognize your value and potential."
Frequently asked questios
Read Below
G.A.P is open to 5th and 6th-grade girls who are eager to grow, learn, and be mentored. To apply, attend our Annual Interest Meeting in August, where parents and guardians will receive detailed program information and application forms.
There are no membership fees to join G.A.P. However, some special events or outings may require a small activity fee or donation to participate.
We offer monthly workshops, small group outings, one-on-one mentorship, and community engagement opportunities. Our focus is on building confidence, leadership skills, and personal growth through educational and character-building activities.
Mentees are expected to actively participate in workshops, community events, and mentorship programs while demonstrating respect, responsibility, and engagement. Parents/guardians must provide or arrange transportation and stay informed about G.A.P activities.
Our mentors are dedicated, vetted volunteers who guide girls through life skills, self-esteem development, and leadership training. They provide one-on-one support, group mentoring, and real-world insights to help mentees navigate challenges.
G.A.P girls participate in volunteer projects such as:
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Feeding senior citizens at Reed Harvey Senior Citizen Center
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Charity walks like the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure
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Parades and leadership events such as the Magic City Classic Parade
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Other service initiatives that foster leadership and generosity
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Yes! You can volunteer as a mentor, donate to support our mission, or partner with us to create new opportunities for the girls. Your involvement makes a difference!
We encourage parents and supporters to stay connected through email updates, social media, and event announcements shared at our workshops and community gatherings.
A Holiday Suprise
In an incredible act of generosity, Amazon awarded Girls Aspiring with Purpose (G.A.P) a $40,000 sponsorship, allowing the organization to spread joy to families during the holiday season. Watch as Founder LaToya Anderson shares G.A.P’s mission, the impact of this gift, and how the program continues to empower young girls through mentorship, life skills, and community service.
Empowering Girls,
Lifting Communities
At Girls Aspiring with Purpose (G.A.P), we believe in teaching young girls the power of giving back. Through mentorship, life skills workshops, and community service, our girls learn confidence, leadership, and generosity.
This holiday season, with Amazon’s generous sponsorship, G.A.P was able to lift burdens for families, provide gifts, and bring joy to those in need. This moment is just one example of how mentorship, community, and purpose-driven leadership can change lives.
