Albany, NY – Albany Leadership Charter School for Girls (ALCS) proudly announces the launch of its Girls Rising: Empowerment & Wellness Program, made possible through a grant awarded by the Albany County Legislature’s Tobacco and Substance Use Prevention and Cessation Education Fund. This comprehensive 10-week initiative is designed to raise awareness about the risks associated with tobacco, marijuana, and vaping, while promoting holistic wellness, student empowerment, and advocacy.
Now in its third week, the program launched with great enthusiasm and student engagement. The initiative is part of a broader mission to foster a healthier and more informed generation of young women who can become change agents in their schools and communities. The curriculum is rooted in evidence-based prevention and cessation education, aiming to reduce substance use by equipping students with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to make informed health choices.
The program began with impactful sessions led by Katrina Hastings, Youth Engagement Coordinator for Capital District Tobacco-Free Communities, and Margaret Frias, Adolescent Coordinator from the Albany Addictions Care Center. These sessions sparked meaningful dialogue and critical thinking among students in grades 8 and 10, who explored topics including the dangers of nicotine addiction, the long-term effects of vaping and tobacco use, and how the tobacco industry intentionally targets youth through manipulative marketing.
But Girls Rising is more than just a curriculum—it’s a movement. Last week, students kicked off a dynamic Project-Based Learning Awareness Campaign, where they began planning and developing public service announcement (PSA) videos to raise awareness about the dangers of vaping and marijuana use. With creative direction featuring familiar community figures like Batman and NightWing, students are collaborating in teams to share powerful messages designed to inform their peers and families.
Through these projects and other hands-on activities, students are not only learning facts—they’re developing their voices as advocates for health equity and wellness. Activities such as counter-advertisement creation, role-playing resistance strategies, and stress-management workshops are helping to solidify their understanding of critical health topics while also building confidence and leadership.
“We are incredibly proud of our students and the commitment they’ve shown to making healthier choices—not just for themselves, but for their peers and families as well,” said Brittany Peoples, Director of Advancement at ALCS. “Thanks to the support from the Albany County Legislature and our incredible partners, we are helping to build a generation of empowered young women who are equipped to lead, advocate, and thrive.”
As the program continues through the spring semester, additional workshops, guest speakers, and wellness activities will further reinforce the core mission of Girls Rising: to inform, empower, and inspire sustainable lifestyle changes rooted in equity, awareness, and action.
To learn more about this program and our commitment to student wellness and achievement, contact our Director of Advancement, Brittany Peoples at bpeoples@albanyleadership.org
