Ruling Our Experiences (ROX)

Through national research, evidence-based programming in schools, and community education, ROX is addressing the social, emotional, academic, and leadership challenges facing girls and equipping them with the tools they need to actualize their full potential. ROX has established programs in more than 500 schools across 32 states and served more than 45,000 girls.

The Problem
In the U.S., girls report unprecedented levels of loneliness and isolation, experiences of intense stress and pressure influenced by social media, substantial drops in confidence and self-worth, and ongoing restricted access to leadership, economic, and occupational opportunities. Girls are four times more likely than boys to be diagnosed with a mental health disorder, 10 times more likely to experience sexual violence, and three times less likely to earn a sustainable living wage. From an interpersonal standpoint, girls who acquire healthy coping skills, emotional regulation, a supportive peer network, and a strong sense of self make better decisions and fare better in life than their less supported, less skilled peers. Yet, 79% reported they are under so much pressure that they feel like they are going to “explode.”

Girls who have a sense of belonging and a connection to school are more persistent in their educational and occupational pursuits, but right now, only 39% of girls like going to school. Creating safe and supportive learning environments where girls can find their voice, share their opinions, and bolster their confidence positions them to take on the personal, social, academic, and leadership challenges they will face in school and throughout their careers. In order to increase equity and opportunity, girls must be equipped with the tools they need to control their own relationships, experiences, decisions, and futures.

The Solution
ROX uses data to comprehensively and holistically address the multidimensional challenges facing girls. There is a profound relationship between a girl’s interpersonal well-being, confidence, sense of her abilities, and her propensity to succeed in other aspects of life. This is why it is critically important to invest in self-confidence and social media navigation, conflict management and career development, stress management and sexual violence prevention. Girls’ lives are complex, so ROX offers complex solutions. ROX understands that interventions and support must be multifaceted, accessible, relevant, and effective.

ROX leads the country in programming, research, and education focused on girls, and they actualize this in three ways:
Training and licensing female professional counselors, social workers, psychologists, and educators to implement a 20-week evidence-based program in schools that teaches girls the skills they need to navigate their toughest challenges.
Conducting large-scale national research with girls in grades 5-12 to develop a deeper understanding of the critical issues impacting girls.
Training and educating the adults who have influence in girls’ lives to increase their communication strategies and support skills to create empowering and affirming interactions with the girls they are raising, educating, advising, and coaching.