Full Circle: From Participants to Mentors
“When I look at these girls, I see a lot of who I once was,” Eden shared. “Seeing them flourish and grow in an environment that I also grew up in is incredibly fulfilling.”
Today, Amina is an aspiring medical device professional and Eden is pursuing her dream of becoming a lawyer. But years ago, they were two nervous middle school girls walking into the Girls Inc. Eureka! program, unsure of what to expect.
Years later, they walked back through those same doors, not as participants, but as mentors helping the next generation of girls discover their strengths, find their voices and believe in what's possible.
For Amina, returning to Eureka! was a chance to give back to the program that helped shape her future. For Eden, it was an opportunity to experience the in-person summer she never fully had after the COVID-19 pandemic moved much of her early Eureka! experience online.
Their journeys reflect what makes Eureka! unique. More than a summer program, Eureka! gives girls the opportunity to explore STEM careers and build lasting relationships with mentors and peers. Years after graduation, the impact continues as one generation impacts the next.
Creating Opportunities to Grow
Girls Inc. Eureka! is one part of the YWCA Minneapolis Youth Development programs, which serve more than 110 young people each year. Across these programs, youth have opportunities to build confidence, develop leadership skills, explore their interests and prepare for their futures.
“Studies show that while interest in STEM remains high, girls are less likely to be steered towards STEM courses as they progress through high school,” shared Katie, Vice President of YWCA Minneapolis Youth Development. “Eureka aims to remove this barrier. We recruit students to the program at the end of 7th grade - before the decline in engagement. The program is focused on creating opportunities, allowing students to explore new interests and dreams they may not have otherwise realized.”
Designed specifically for girls entering eighth grade through high school, Girls Inc. Eureka! is a five-year STEM and college-readiness program that gives girls opportunities to explore science, technology, engineering and math while developing leadership, professional and life skills. Participants build relationships with mentors, explore college and career pathways, and gain experiences that help them envision futures they may not have imagined for themselves.
For Amina and Eden, Eureka! became one of those transformative experiences. Years later, they returned to help create that same experience for the girls coming behind them.
Where It All Began
Like many girls entering Eureka! for the first time, Amina and Eden arrived feeling uncertain.
"I was super scared and nervous," Amina recalled. "But when I walked in, everyone was so welcoming."
For Amina, joining Eureka! was one of the first decisions she made entirely for herself. It became an early step toward independence and helped her discover confidence she didn't know she had.
Eden, who was already a part of YWCA Minneapolis’s Youth Development program, Strong Fast Fit, was encouraged to apply when a Eureka! staff member spoke at her school. She was excited about spending her summers on the University of Minnesota campus alongside other girls with similar interests.
Instead, the pandemic changed everything.
Rather than exploring campus, participating in hands-on STEM activities and building friendships in person, Eden experienced her first years of Eureka! through Zoom.
"You're supposed to go to the U of M and have all these fun camps, but in my case, everything was over Zoom," Eden said. "It was challenging for me to stay engaged and continue with the program."
Even through the challenges, she stayed committed, a decision that would shape her future.
More Than a Summer Program
What began as a summer opportunity quickly became something much deeper.
For Amina, Eureka! became a place of stability during a difficult period in her life. While navigating family hardships, she found comfort in knowing there was always a community waiting for her.
“I was really going through it during my first year. But it was nice to have the support of something outside of school and outside of home,” she shared.
For Eden, the relationships she built became one of the most meaningful parts of the experience. Years later, she still keeps in touch with mentors who continue to encourage and support her.
"It's a community that's lifelong," she said. "Even now, my siblings and my cousins are in the program, so it's really become a big part of our family."
Those relationships are what both women say set Eureka! apart. The program doesn't simply end when summer is over. Eureka! creates a network of people who continue cheering participants on long after graduation.
Building Skills for the Future
Through workshops, mentorship and hands-on experiences, Eureka! helps participants develop practical skills that prepare them for life beyond high school. They learn financial literacy, scholarship writing, professional networking, interview skills and career readiness while exploring STEM fields they may never have considered before.
For Amina, one of the biggest transformations happened in her ability to communicate.
"I feel like in front of other people, I'm pretty quiet even though I know I'm a talkative person," she said. "Eureka! helped foster my communication skills, first by starting off small, like speaking in front of small groups, and then building up to speaking in front of larger groups where you're giving speeches."
Those experiences influenced her educational path. After participating in college essay workshops and STEM opportunities through Eureka!, Amina chose to attend the University of St. Thomas, where she earned a bachelor's degree in biology with a minor in journalism. This fall, she begins a master's degree in regulatory science hoping to one day work with medical devices.
Eden, hopes to one day give back to her own community, either as a corporate lawyer or a civil rights lawyer. She is currently studying international business on a pre-law track at the University of St. Thomas and credits Eureka! with introducing her to scholarship opportunities and leadership experiences that made college feel attainable.
"I didn't think I was going to be able to go to college because of how expensive it is," Eden said. "But I refused to give up and let that stop me."
With the program's support in finding scholarships, Eden earned a full-ride scholarship, making college possible without the financial burden she once feared.
Becoming the Role Models They Once Needed
Returning as mentors allowed Amina and Eden to become the people they once looked up to.
As Eureka! summer counselors, Amina and Eden spent the month-long summer program on the University of Minnesota campus supporting current Eureka! participants by helping them navigate lessons and activities led by University of Minnesota professors and making the most of their experiences on campus.
Their role extended beyond academic support. Amina and Eden also facilitated lessons on conflict resolution, healthy minds and bodies, and the connection between social media and mental health. Throughout the summer, they encouraged participants to ask questions, embrace challenges and understand that growth often begins outside their comfort zones.
During this time, they also found themselves recognizing pieces of their younger selves in many of the girls.
"When I look at these girls, I see a lot of who I once was," Eden shared. "Seeing them flourish and grow in an environment that I also grew up in is incredibly fulfilling.”
One of the most meaningful parts of mentoring has been showing younger girls that success can look like someone who shares their experiences.
“Representation matters. It’s important for them to see someone who comes from a similar background and looks like them,” Eden said. “I hope I can be that example for them.”
Amina hopes the girls remember something equally important.
"I hope that they remember me as a person who wasn't scared of failure," she said. "You're going to make mistakes in your life, and that's okay. Don't be afraid of failing."
Together, their message to participants is simple: believe in yourself, take every opportunity, ask questions and don't let fear determine your future.
Coming Full Circle
Years ago, Amina and Eden arrived at Eureka! looking for a place where they belonged. Today, they have become the mentors they once looked up to, encouraging girls to dream bigger, speak louder and believe in themselves.
Although their futures are taking them in different directions, they both carry the lessons they learned through Eureka! wherever they go.
Claire, Program Manager of the YWCA Minneapolis Girls Inc. Eureka! program shared, "The impact of Eureka! isn't something you see overnight. It takes years to watch these young women grow into who they're meant to be. But when you look at where they are now, they're out in the world leading, giving back and making a real difference. That's when you see the true power of Eureka!."
For the girls participating today, that may be the greatest lesson of all: sometimes the person showing you what's possible is someone who once stood exactly where you are.
When asked to describe the program in just a few words, their answers captured its lasting impact.
"A place to foster connections," Amina said.
"A place to grow," Eden added.