Teen girls in public schools in Trenton, New Jersey are provided academic assistance and a residential school experience at HomeWorks Trenton.
In the heart of Trenton, New Jersey, a unique educational program is making a significant impact on the lives of marginalized high school girls. HomeWorks Trenton, a free, after-school residential program, combines elements of a boarding school experience with the public school system to support these young women academically, socially, and personally.
The program, established in 2016, has raised over $9 million from various corporations and organizations, and this fall, it will move to its own location in Trenton, increasing the number of participating scholars from 19 to 42.
HomeWorks Trenton aims to empower students to become leaders and "citizen scholars" who can positively transform their communities. The program seeks to unlock the full potential of young women by providing a supportive, educational residential environment where they live and learn alongside each other. It aims to disrupt the cycle of systemic injustice experienced by Black and Latinx girls by helping them reclaim power over their experiences, cultures, and identities.
The program equips students with academic skills, confidence, and leadership abilities to succeed in school and beyond. It fosters identity-driven leadership development through social-emotional learning, civic engagement, and classes on global and social justice. The program creates a community environment rooted in values of empathy, community, and intentionality.
Seventeen-year-old Joy Ngaruiya, who has been part of the program for three years, lives with 18 other girls in a dormitory on school days. Joy, who is doing well in school and has her sights set on attending college to study business management, describes living with the girls in the dorm as having a second family.
Joy's father, Rueben Ngaruiya, believes HomeWorks has been the perfect solution during the COVID pandemic for students who suffered significant learning loss. He learned about the program when his daughter was in middle school.
Chobe, a 15-year-old HomeWorks student starting her second year, will serve as a peer leader. Chobe, who believes standing up for oneself can significantly impact one's identity, enjoys the intense academic focus at HomeWorks, despite finding it stressful at times.
The program operates as a residential living program, where scholars live communally within their local community. Scholars receive academic enrichment, including tutoring and advanced classes in math, English, and leadership. They are also integrated into identity and leadership development through workshops and education on social justice issues.
HomeWorks supplements and supports the public school education these students receive, taking into account the socioeconomic barriers many face. These barriers, such as housing instability, healthcare access, and food insecurity, can impede academic focus and success.
The program engages students in local community issues and encourages them to become active civic leaders. It is intentional in its recruiting, bringing in scholars with similar goals and a shared mindset.
One hundred percent of HomeWorks graduates go on to attend college, with a combined average GPA of 3.53 last year, compared to a 2.33 average in Trenton public high schools. The program's staff aims to create a safe space that encourages open communication and self-expression among the scholars.
With Trenton's poverty rate at 27.7%, according to Data USA, HomeWorks Trenton is making a difference in the lives of marginalized high school girls, providing them with the tools and confidence to become leaders in their communities.
The educational program at HomeWorks Trenton, beyond its academic focus, also nurtures students' lifestyles and self-development, aiming to empower them as citizen scholars who can positively transform their communities. The program offers identity-driven leadership development through social-emotional learning, civic engagement, and classes on global and social justice, providing a supportive residential environment that fosters empathy, community, and intentionality.
