Since its inception in 2011, The Sophia Project Inc. (TSP) has been committed to the transformative journey of young women. What began with 47 eighth-grade students from Brittany Woods Middle School and Confluence Old North Academy has grown into a powerful movement supporting girls facing trauma, academic challenges, attendance barriers, and behavioral obstacles. TSP’s enduring promise is to walk alongside each participant throughout her educational journey.
Our Impact
TSP takes a holistic, multi-layered approach to mentorship and growth. Through in-school mentoring, accomplished women from the St. Louis area lead sessions focused on motivation, career development, and essential life skills over two semesters. Our signature Friday Night Keep It Safe & Sacred (K.I.S.S.) after-school program welcomes girls from across multiple districts for group mentoring that nurtures academic excellence, social development, and self-care practices. Additionally, one-on-one mentorship helps build confidence and reinforce critical life skills, supporting the development of well-rounded, resilient young women.
A Symbol of Growth
Each young woman’s journey culminates in the Annual Pearling Ceremony—a moving celebration of growth and achievement. Participants are gifted a little black dress and a pearl necklace, symbolizing their strength, resilience, and readiness to step into the next chapter of their lives.
Expanding Our Reach
TSP proudly extends its mission through the Urban Girl Institute, a transformative summer camp experience that deepens personal growth, leadership development, and community engagement. This initiative offers girls a dynamic space to explore their potential and strengthen their sense of identity, purpose, and sisterhood.
Together with the Urban Girl Institute, The Sophia Project Inc. continues to cultivate a generation of empowered young women—poised to lead, uplift, and inspire.
Our Mission
The Sophia Project Inc.'s mission is to engage, educate, and empower young women to make sound decisions, embrace personal awareness, and build healthy relationships.
The Sophia Project’s theory of change for each young woman is to invest in their development with human capital, trusting relationships, and weekly exposure, with the hope that these opportunities will change their trajectories and ultimately transform their lives.
Our Theory Of Change
Our Vision
The Sophia Project, Inc. envisions young women who are individually secure and socially engaged, globally conscious, and community-focused. Participants of The Sophia Project, Inc. are BOLD, CREATIVE, DARING, and CONFIDENT. These young women are effective leaders among their peers and are ready to dispatch their gifts in the community. Graduates of The Sophia Project, Inc. are aware of how a relationship with self and others will impact their decisions and their ability to be a valuable member of the community.
