The KD Hall Foundation officially grounded their roots in Seattle last Friday, as they had a ribbon cutting ceremony for their new location at the Historical 2100 Building in the Central District.
Girls who are part of the foundation’s signature project, Girls on the Rise, now have a place they can call home. Doors to the educational resource center will open on May 1. The location will serve as the home base for programs and as a resource center for girls looking for information about education, jobs, and college success.
Girls on the Rise grew to statewide reach in 2021 thanks to the Building Bridges Grant through OSPI. This year, the program is reaching further as it aims to recruit 20 percent of the 2022 cohort participants from countries in Southeast Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa. This, according to administrators with the program, will help the girls build global relationships and think about issues that impact girls globally such as human trafficking and career pathways for women and girls.
The foundation which is known for partnering with the workforce in the Puget Sound, launched its inaugural event in 2016 to highlight the leadership of women and girls. KD Hall Foundation has also produced short films and documentaries about women, leadership, and has taken on women’s issues that impact girls in the state of Washington and our globe.
The foundation has graduated 60 college students through their college ambassador program, and their reputation for educational programs has earned them the number one educational non-profit in the state of Washington awarded by Providence Hospital in 2019.
“I am grateful for the help of all our sponsors and supporters throughout the years,” says KD Hall, president and ceo of the KD Hall Foundation. “I am especially grateful for the College ambassadors for working hard over the years to open our own space that we can call home. I am grateful for our inaugural group of Girls on the Rise for executing our vision. I am hopeful for what the future holds for women and girls in leadership throughout our state and across the globe.”
Girls on the Rise is now accepting applications for their 2022 cohort. Applicants ages 11-17 are encouraged to participate in the project which will focus on the art of storytelling around serious issues that impact women and girls. The cohort will release a film, Girls on the Rise- a Global Movement. This documentary tells the stories of women and girls and their many passions. Students will participate in interviews and share their stories. The girls will also have two community projects which will be Increasing Pathways to Leadership for Women and Girls and addressing Human Trafficking. Every girl will receive a paid stipend for their participation in the program.
The program starts April 11as a hybrid program. Applicants must apply before April 8. You can register online at https://forms.gle/hdxhcbY9Cnh1xJ9E8.
