A Delaware Girls Circle is a group of 10-15 high school girls (Points) who meet weekly as a club to explore a standards-based curriculum designed to build self-confidence, self-awareness and personal accountability and to pave a path toward positively impacting the world.

ILOLA is the Delaware Girls Circle one-to one e-mentoring program focused on building positive relationships between the Tangent (mentor) and the Point (mentee) in order to help the Point achieve her fullest potential. It is an African word meaning “become strong” and is an acronym for Intelligent Ladies Overcoming Leading and Achieving.

By spending just one hour each week with a Point you are showing an interest in her life and you can increase the likelihood that she will graduate from high school on time and continue on to college and or entrepreneurial pursuits. Mentors help students identify their gifts and talents and strengthen their resolve to accomplish their goals and life dreams.

There are many ways you can support Delaware Girls Circle and each way makes an important investment in the future. These include becoming a Tangent (mentor), making a donation, providing in-kind services, being a host site for Delaware Girls Circle, becoming a Delaware Girls Circle ambassador and becoming a corporate sponsor.

Each relationship is unique. However, the sessions happen weekly for approximately one hour and the focus ranges from helping with homework, to sharing a hobby or special interest to simply sharing thoughts and ideas, anything that could lead to the upward spiral to academic advancement.

Originally funded by a grant from the Fund for Women, Delaware Girls Circles are maintained by donations and fundraisers that are conducted throughout the year as well as grant applications and sponsorships.

Women who care about making a difference in the life of girls and are positive role models are encouraged to become Tangents (mentors). Tangents must be college graduates.

Students can either self-nominate or they are nominated for the program by a caring adult. Typically, a teacher, guidance counselor, parent , or community member.

Delaware Girls Circle focuses on mentoring high school girls in grades 9-12. Tangents (mentors) are encouraged to continue in the mentoring relationship for at least one year and ideally, until the student graduates from high school.