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There are many ways you can help advance the mission of Alternatives For Girls and make a difference in the lives of the girls and young women we serve. You can Make a Donation of money, goods or services; Volunteer to become a mentor, take a Street Outreach shift, help out with administrative tasks or special events, or serve on a board committee. You can also make a contribution to the AFG Wish List.

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Sarah: the Strength to Persevere

Sarah was forced out of her house on her 18th birthday. She had always had a rocky relationship with her mother and was kicked out for the first time when she was 16. The relationship seemed unable to heal. Sarah first learned about Alternatives For Girls from her sister, who lived here a few years ago.
Sarah was struggling to find her place in the world. She wasn't engaged in school, but now Sarah is back on track with school and is a senior at the Detroit School of the Performing Arts. Sarah has been able to use theatre as an outlet. She is in the Mosaic Youth Theatre of Detroit. "To be on stage is so freeing-you release yourself and allow yourself to become someone else."
Sarah states that AFG has been extremely supportive of her efforts to be involved with the theatre. Sarah's face lights up as she describes her relationship with the AFG staff. "They push," she laughs. Most of all, they allow her to be herself, a feeling that she has never had before.

The pushing has paid off. In the fall, she plans to go to college in North Carolina to study psychology and social work. She wants to use her own experiences to reach out to at-risk youth: "I want to help them before it gets too late."

All of Sarah's life experiences have resulted in a strength of spirit and a deep wisdom.  Her advice is particularly poignant in these tough economic times: "Always persevere even when things seem like they're not going to get better...all the struggle in your life will make you a better person."