Zion Chapel members volunteer as mentors for the Community Organization Alternatives For Girls located two blocks over from the church. Mentors are asked to give 4 hours a month, to spend time with their designated mentee. For more information please contact: outreach@zionchapelchurch.org or visit their website: alternativesforgirls.org

What We Do:

Alternatives For Girls helps homeless and high-risk girls and young women avoid violence, teen pregnancy and exploitation, and helps 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. AFG accomplishes this mission through three key services: AFG Prevention, the AFG Shelter/Transition to Independent Living Program (TIL) and AFG Outreach.

History:

The inspiration for Alternatives For Girls came in 1985 when a group of southwest Detroit residents, clergy and business people began to share concerns about the alarming increase in drug use, homelessness, prostitution and street activity among girls and young women. Originally a small, volunteer-run program, operating a five-bed emergency shelter in a neighborhood church, AFG has evolved into a multi-service agency with over 50 employees. It is housed in a two-story brick building constructed in 2002 following the successful completion of a $4.5-million capital campaign.