Qatar Embassy invests $500,000 in Miami programs for girls and young women

The Embassy of the State of Qatar has committed $500,000 to Miami nonprofit Girl Power Rocks to expand housing, education, mentorship and technology programs for girls and young women facing housing instability and economic insecurity.

The partnership will support Girl Power Rocks’ core programs, including Mama Hattie’s House, the Florida Girls Initiative, direct-service staffing and Life’sPilot, a digital innovation pilot designed to provide technology-enabled support.

The investment will also help fund after-school and mentoring programs, workforce and science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) initiatives, student transportation and other services aimed at helping young women achieve long-term stability and economic independence.

A major component of the partnership is Mama Hattie’s House, an affordable housing and services development planned for Miami’s Overtown neighborhood. Girl Power Rocks is developing the project in partnership with Housing Trust Group.

The development is expected to include affordable residential units as well as dedicated space for education, health and supportive services, creating a combination of housing and wraparound assistance for vulnerable young women.

“Education, housing stability, and mentorship are foundational pillars for long-term success,” Thema Campbell, founder and chief executive officer of Girl Power Rocks, said in a statement. “This partnership with the Embassy of the State of Qatar enables us to deepen our impact, strengthen our infrastructure, and ensure that girls and young women have the support, dignity, and opportunity they deserve.”

Qatar’s Ambassador to the United States Meshal bin Hamad Al Thani said the embassy viewed Girl Power Rocks as a strong fit for its charitable giving because of the range of services it provides.

“The Embassy of the State of Qatar is excited to partner with Girl Power Rocks to help girls and young women in Miami,” Al Thani said. “We actively seek to make charitable contributions that have a large impact on worthy groups in the U.S. Girl Power Rocks was a natural fit for us because it helps so many young women in vital ways that range from housing to education.”

The ambassador added that the embassy was “proud to play a small part” in supporting the organization’s work.

Girl Power Rocks, a Miami-based nonprofit, focuses on education, mentorship, housing stability and workforce development for girls and young women. Its programs are designed to address factors contributing to instability and create pathways to academic achievement, safety and economic independence.

The partnership comes as Miami-Dade County continues to grapple with housing affordability and economic challenges that can disproportionately affect young people experiencing instability.

Through the investment, Girl Power Rocks and the Qatari embassy aim to broaden access to housing and educational opportunities while expanding community-based services for girls and young women across Miami-Dade County.

More information about Girl Power Rocks is available at girlpowerrocks.org.