Persephone Project

We are pleased to announce a new branch of Stepping Stones - a program specially tailored to meet the needs of high-risk girls in the San Francisco area.

This new program, called the Persephone Project, will start as a collaborative effort with The Safe House, a group home for girls age 12-17 who have been involved in commercial sexual exploitation.

The Persephone Project is designed to meet the special needs of Safe House residents, many of whom have experienced repeated traumas from early childhood. Our goal is to facilitate these girls in cultivating a positive experience of self in a group context, thus fostering empowerment, increased self-esteem, and self-respect.

The curriculum includes the discussion of myths and legends of female deities and heroines from a variety of cultures throughout the world. Topics include women's history, women's power ("power from within" as opposed to "power over"), menstruation; sex/sexuality/women's bodies; women's spirituality; rhythms in nature; restorative yoga; sweat/purification lodge; and seasonal celebrations & rituals.

The Persephone Project will begin in 2006 and is funded through grants and the generous donations of community members. Our vision is to bring the Persephone Project curriculum to at least four new Bay Area agencies who serve disadvantaged girls by January 2007.

Help make our vision a reality! If you have suggestions for future collaborators or funding support, please contact our office.