Alternatives For Girls

Our mission is to help homeless and high-risk girls and young women avoid violence, teen pregnancy and exploitation, and help them to explore and access the support, resources and opportunities necessary to be safe, to grow strong and to make positive choices in their lives. Founded in 1987, Alternatives for Girls (AFG) is a southwest Detroit-based nonprofit organization. It is a place where homeless girls and young women (15-21 years) who have faced tremendous obstacles and found themselves without a home or a family to provide for them, learn to discover abilities and callings that lead them toward meaningful careers and productive lives. It all begins with finishing diplomas and advancing toward degrees, developing a strong work ethic, becoming good mothers (for those who are pregnant or parenting), acquiring financial literacy, learning cooperation and respect for others, and the growth of self-esteem. Participants redefine themselves and reshape their futures.

Shelter: Our focus is on crisis response and safety. We provide a stable home that helps teens and women avoid high-risk activities, such as sex work, drug use, domestic violence, and gang involvement. We empower participants to make safe choices and live healthy lives.
Prevention: Our focus is on early intervention and leadership development. We serve girls ages 7-19 who are at risk of gang involvement, abusing drugs or alcohol, early pregnancy, and school truancy. We engage them through mentoring, after-school programs, a college prep program, and a summer camp

Outreach: Our focus is the expansion of participant opportunities. Our programming serves as a lifeline to many young and adult women seeking to remove themselves from situations and activities that threaten their well-being, their futures, and their lives.

Housing Stability: Our focus is housing and community permanence. We support 18 to 24-year-olds experiencing homelessness with housing and other resources designed to stabilize them in the community. Young adults, including some with children, accept housing assistance and personalized case management. We emphasize the pursuit of education, vocational training, and employment geared for self-sufficiency and healthy, productive lifestyles.