The numbers are staggering and heartbreaking: 85% of girls from low-income families on Maui are at risk for teenage pregnancy. Nationally, nearly 3 in 5 (57%) U.S. teen girls felt persistently sad or hopeless—a nearly 60% increase over the past decade, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
In Hawai‘i, the situation is just as concerning. Over one-third of public high school students reported feeling sad or hopeless for weeks at a time, and in Maui County, 14.1% of teens reported being bullied. These statistics highlight the critical challenges facing teenage girls today—challenges that threaten their mental health, emotional resilience, and futures.
But behind these sobering numbers lies hope and transformation.
Your Support Is Changing Lives
Thanks to your generosity, programs like MAUI GEMS and the FLY SEL Program are stepping in to rewrite these stories. They provide mentorship, emotional support, and the tools young girls need to rise above systemic barriers.
Just this year, your support has made incredible progress possible:
93% of participants report increased self-confidence and emotional awareness.
Over 100 hours of Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) workshops have taught vital life skills like communication, boundaries, and emotional regulation.
85% of girls at risk for teenage pregnancy now have access to mentorship and resources, opening doors to brighter possibilities.
These are more than numbers—they represent lives transformed and futures reclaimed.
The FLY SEL Program: Building Resilience
At the heart of these efforts is the FLY SEL Program, which focuses on Social and Emotional
Learning (SEL). Through engaging workshops, girls learn to:
Communicate effectively.
Set and respect personal boundaries.
Build emotional resilience to navigate life’s challenges.
This program not only equips participants with essential skills but also fosters a sense of belonging and empowerment—helping them break free from the cycles of sadness, bullying, and hopelessness.
More Work to Do
While we celebrate these successes, the need remains urgent. Many girls on Maui still face an uphill battle against poverty, emotional distress, and a lack of opportunities.
That’s why we’re launching our End-of-Year Campaign: “Transforming Lives, Building Futures.”
With your continued support, we can:
Expand mentorship and leadership opportunities through MAUI GEMS.
Offer more SEL workshops to teach critical life skills through the FLY Program.
Provide resources, stipends, and safe spaces for youth affected by the MAUI fires.
Together, we can transform these heartbreaking statistics into stories of resilience and hope.
How You Can Help
Your kindness has already made an extraordinary difference. Now, we invite you to join us again in making an even greater impact.
Donate Now – Impact a Life Here
Every donation brings us closer to a future where every girl on Maui can rise above the barriers she faces and thrive.
Thank you for standing with Maui’s girls when they need it most.
With gratitude,
Monica Marrow
Executive Director, What Makes You Feel Beautiful
Call to Action
Please share this message with your friends, family, and community. Together, we can ensure that the next set of statistics reflects hope, growth, and resilience.
Let’s transform tomorrow, one girl at a time.
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