H.U.G.S. (Helping Underage Girls Succeed) Goal: The Foundation will help middle school aged girls achieve a goal of receiving a quality education; while at the same time hoping to cultivate a generation of strong, enthusiastic female leaders. Currently, we meet once weekly. The Challenge It's not easy to be an 11 or 12 year-old girl. Peer pressure, overtures from gang members - both male and female - are a daily reality for these girls, and even the youth-focused community centers can be dominated by boys and programs for young men, often leaving this population without positive social interventions. The Intervention HUGS will provide school based sessions that will use a cognitive behavior and social learning approach for middle-school girls on issues that touch them every day; i.e. setting goals, what it means to be a good friend, how to resist peer pressure, and how to make good decisions. Participants will be afforded the opportunity for enrichment of their lives through self-discovery, mentorship, and cultural exploration. Potential Long Term Impact By creating a warm, trusting relationship, HUGS facilitators will help the girls achieve positive outcomes that they can be proud of! Through interactive sessions and field trips, the girls will learn how to negotiate the challenges of adolescence, make safe, smart decisions, and unlock their leadership potential!