Building Brave Communities:
Practical strategies for building connection, confidence, and courage.
This training is for:
Education and youth development professionals serving youth ages 10-18
DATES
July 21-23, 2025
Time:
9:00 AM – 4:00 PM Pacific on July 21 and 22
9:00 AM – 1:00 PM Pacific on July 23
LOCATION
Uptown Station (Block)
1955 Broadway
Oakland, CA 94612
Cost
$750 – Sliding Scale. Price includes our comprehensive SEL curriculum.
The cost of this training for us is $750 per participant. We understand that different folks are navigating varying levels of access to funding for professional development opportunities. Our sliding scale offers you the opportunity to pay the amount that aligns with the funds that you have available to cover the cost.
The price does not include travel or lodging. Space is limited to 35 participants.
Girls Leadership understands the real challenges educators and youth professionals face, and their need for practical, intentional, and accessible social-emotional learning (SEL) strategies. That’s why we’re offering a new training focused on simple, effective tools that fit into already packed schedules.
This professional development experience is for educators and youth-serving professionals to learn practical strategies for building connection, confidence, and courage with youth.
Together, we’ll build community, expand your network, and have fun practicing our new skills; this will be a restorative experience that will get you ready for the coming school year.
Building Brave Communities: Objectives
In just three days you will leave with:
- A comprehensive toolbox to support the social and emotional wellness of the young people you serve.
- Best practices for facilitating spaces and experiences that are grounded in racial and gender equity, play, courageous growth, and authentic communication.
- An understanding of how to effectively set up and adapt social-emotional learning (SEL) activities in order to meet the unique needs of your classroom or program spaces.
Building Brave Communities: Benefits
Educators and youth agency professionals, this training is for you if you:
- Have experience with social-emotional learning (SEL)
- Are ready to take your understanding and skills to the next level
- Want to deepen connection with the youth in your life
By the end of three days, you will:
- Get a transformative curriculum co-created with girls – totalling 190 lessons and activities.
- Have extensive opportunities to practice what you’ve learned, so that you can become proficient in using these new lessons and techniques in your work with youth.
- Leave confident in your ability to use our fresh and relevant curriculum.
Curriculum
Our gender and culturally-responsive curriculum focuses on five domains with lessons aligned to developmentally appropriate outcomes at three levels: Introductory, Developing, and Advanced.
Building Brave Communities: was developed by Girls Leadership program and curriculum experts to provide SEL skills to youth-serving professionals, and tested by educators and students to ensure it meets their needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I receive credits for this professional development?
If your supervising organization approves this professional development to meet CEUs, we can approve documentation that certifies your hours of participation.
Who is the professional development for?
The sessions are designed for educators, administrators, district leaders, youth-serving professionals, counselors, and formal volunteers who work regularly with youth ages 10-18.
Can I train others to teach the curriculum?
Completion of this professional development does not authorize individuals to sell the program or train others to teach it.
I’m not sure if I’m ready to register, who can answer my questions? Thank you for your interest in this training. Please fill out this form if you have questions or need additional information to support your registration and our National Engagement Director, Amal Aziz will get in touch with you.
Professional development training clients include Harlem Children’s Zone, The Young Women’s Leadership Schools of East Harlem, Astoria, and Queens, New Jersey Performing Arts Center, Alameda County School District, Ulloa Elementary School, Natomas School District, Redwood City Unified School District, Denver Public Schools, and Girls Inc. of Alameda and Girls Inc. of the Pacific Northwest.
COVID Safety Guidelines
COVID-19 Safety and Preventative Measures
With the safety and wellness of all participants and facilitators as the highest priority, Girls Leadership Professional Development will run in accordance with the most up-to-date COVID guidance from the local health department and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Indoor mask-wearing will be recommended if it is not required by the local health department or the CDC.
Why Choose Girls Leadership Professional Development Learning Retreats?
For your community: We embrace the importance of cultural competence and strive to create an environment where everyone’s voice is heard and valued. That’s why our programs are tailored to reflect the diverse backgrounds and experiences of girls and gender-expansive youth, and the diverse adults who care for them.
For your career: Our programs focus on developing professional skills and tools that include emotional intelligence, empathy, and self-awareness to make you a more effective and confident educator.
For your colleagues: Learn from seasoned facilitators who are not only well-versed in social-emotional learning (SEL) principles but also deeply committed to promoting gender and racial equity. They will guide you through transformative experiences and create an inclusive space for open dialogue so you can connect meaningfully with educators who share your commitments.
For your students: We provide strategies to help you better connect with all of your students as well as a curriculum designed to create bravery and belonging in your teaching space. By incorporating SEL, which research shows improves both students’ academic success and overall well-being, you can provide the foundations they need for healthy relationships, confidence, and leadership skills.
For yourself: We believe that this work starts with healing, wellness, rest, and community. With strategies to prevent compassion fatigue and connect with your values, our training reminds you that sometimes, the best way to help those around you is to first nourish yourself.
