Our Programs: From Girl to Woman, Every Stage of Your Journey
Smart Girl, Wise Woman offers transformative programs for every stage of life, from adolescence through adulthood. Each program creates a safe, supportive space for authentic connection and personal growth.
Smart Girl, Wise Woman: Cross-Cultural Program – Ages 14-18, Zagreb
Our flagship 12-week bilingual empowerment program bringing together local Croatian and immigrant girls for cross-cultural connection, self-discovery, and leadership development. Includes an intensive weekend retreat. (highlighted below)
Chrysalis: Young Women’s Groups – Ages 18-24
Eight-week workshop series exploring identity, relationships, and life transitions as you step into adulthood. For young women navigating college, career, and becoming who you’re meant to be.
Wisdom Circles – Women 25+
Ongoing circles for women ready to unlock their inner wisdom and create meaningful change in their lives and communities. Meet twice monthly to explore, support, and grow together.
Conjure Your Vision Retreats – Adult Women Entrepreneurs & Creatives
Quarterly 2.5-day retreats for creative, ambitious women to gain fresh insight, build collaborative relationships, and actualize their business and life goals in a sacred container.
“We delight in the beauty of a butterfly, but rarely admit the changes it has gone through to achieve that beauty.” – Maya Angelou
HIGHLIGHTED PROGRAM
Smart Girl, Wise Woman: Cross-Cultural Empowerment Program
From Chrysalis to Butterfly: Girl to Woman, Across All Cultures
What is Smart Girl, Wise Woman?
Smart Girl, Wise Woman (SGWW) is a 12-week empowerment program that brings together local Croatian girls and immigrant girls ages 14-18 to build self-esteem, create cross-cultural friendships, and develop the skills you need to thrive as you navigate your teenage years and step into young womanhood.
This is not your mother’s “self help” group. SGWW is for YOU. We create an environment focused on the issues young women like you deal with day to day in making the transition from girl to woman.
What You’ll Gain
By the end of this program, you will:
What Makes This Program Special?
Cross-Cultural Connection:
Half the participants are local Croatian girls, half are immigrant girls living in Zagreb. Together, you’ll discover that while your backgrounds may be different, you share more in common than you might think. You’ll build real friendships that cross cultural boundaries and learn to see the world through each other’s eyes.
The Intensive Retreat:
Halfway through the program, we spend a transformative weekend together at a beautiful retreat property outside Zagreb. This is where the magic happens. Three days of deeper conversations, activities, and experiences that will strengthen your bonds with your new friends and help you see yourself in a whole new light.
Bilingual Environment:
All sessions are conducted in both Croatian and English, so everyone can participate comfortably and express themselves fully.
What You’ll Gain
By the end of this program, you will:
• Have stronger self-esteem and confidence in who you are
• Understand and appreciate your cultural identity
• Have meaningful friendships across cultural differences
• Know how to communicate assertively and resolve conflicts
• Have practical tools for managing stress and emotions
• Feel empowered to make a difference in your community
• See media messages critically instead of just accepting them
• Know how to advocate for yourself and others
What Parents Should Know
Safety and Support:
Your daughter’s emotional and physical safety is our top priority. All sessions are facilitated by experienced youth development professionals in a trauma-informed, culturally responsive environment. The retreat includes 24/7 adult supervision, and all safety protocols are in place.
Cultural Sensitivity:
This program honors and celebrates all cultural backgrounds. We create space for girls to explore their identities without pressure to assimilate or lose their cultural roots. Both facilitators are trained in cross-cultural youth work.
Evaluation and Assessment:
As a pilot program, SGWW includes voluntary assessment components that help us understand what’s working. All data is confidential and used only for program improvement. Your daughter can participate fully in the program whether or not she participates in the evaluation.
Community Partnership:
SGWW is implemented in partnership with Ocean Znanja, a trusted Croatian youth organization, ensuring local expertise and cultural appropriateness.
Ready to join us?
Send us anote!