Building Confident Leaders through Peer-to-Peer Mentorship

Back-to-school season should be a time of possibility, discovery, and new beginnings. But for many girls, it's also a time filled with questions about who they are, where they belong, and what their future could hold.

Girls are more likely to thrive when they have supportive relationships and positive role models who help them see what's possible. Research suggests that peer mentorship programs are especially effective because peers are among the most influential forces in adolescent development (Lavelle et al., 2023). That's why Girl Talk places peer-to-peer mentorship at the heart of our programs.

For 25 years, Girl Talk has inspired pre-teen and teen girls to build confidence, foster belonging, and develop leadership skills through peer-to-peer mentorship. Through our low-barrier, peer-led programs, girls gain the encouragement, support, and real-world leadership experiences they need to navigate their formative years with confidence and imagine bigger possibilities for themselves.

We asked one of our leaders to reflect on a moment of mentorship that made her proud, she shared: “During one of our impact sessions, the Campers were asked who they look up to as a leader and why. One of [the] Campers said me because I am so welcoming and make her feel comfortable.” – 2026 Girl Talk Camp Counselor

The impact of our peer-to-peer programs is transformative:

100% of Girl Talk Ambassadors reported an increased sense of belonging.
More than 4 in 5 Girl Talk Campers reported gaining confidence in their strengths and abilities.
85% of Girl Talk Campers and Counselors reported that Girl Talk helped them think more clearly about their future goals.

*Based on 2026 Girl Talk Programmatic Surveys.

Invest in Her Future

We need your support to expand Girl Talk’s transformative programming in communities across the country. As a small non-profit with national reach, every dollar helps us empower the next generation of confident, connected leaders.

Here’s how you can make an impact:

Make a one-time contribution and share our mission with your network.
Commit to sustained impact by becoming a monthly or annual supporter.
Empower a girl in your life or community to start a Girl Talk Club this fall.

Thank you for believing in girls. When we come together to support their growth, the future becomes brighter—for every girl, everywhere.

To learn more about our work, visit: mygirltalk.org

Girl Talk's Annual Back-to-School Campaign

Help thousands of girls return to school with the confidence, connection, and community they need to lead, now and for a lifetime.

Team Members