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RARE JEWELS: 

A Junior League for Young Women in Bloom 

Powered by The RARE Collective | A Project of The RARE Place Inc.

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Every Bloom
Starts with a Seed.

RARE Jewels is the signature junior mentorship program of

The RARE Collective, rooted in healing, leadership,

legacy, and cultural pride.

Every girl is paired with a mentor from the Bloom or Branch tier, powerful Black women walking with purpose,

committed to lifting as they climb.

This program is for girls ages 10–18 who are ready to step into their “next”, whether that’s their next grade,

next season, or next level of self-worth.

Through mentorship, experiential learning, and sisterhood, each young woman will grow into her power, purpose, and potential.

Program Highlights

Kids Dancing

Age Brackets 

  • Seedlings: 10–12

  • Blossoms: 13–15

  • RARE Roses: 16–18

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​Each cohort will have tailored sessions and activities while still gathering for intergenerational events and projects.

Program Hub:
Kerns Bowling Alley (Buffalo, NY)

A Black-owned legacy business and community space that serves as our central hub.

Kerns will host our events, fundraising socials, mentoring sessions, and office hours.

Seasonal Cohorts + Scholarship Awards

RARE Jewels will run in seasonal cohorts (Spring, Summer, Fall), each ending with a RARE Jewel Ceremony, celebrating the girls’ growth and presenting scholarships and awards to high achievers. Youth will also present what they’ve learned to community members and stakeholders.

Mentorship That Matters

Each RARE Jewel is personally partnered with a mentor from The RARE Collective’s Bloom or Branch tier. These mentors walk beside each girl throughout the season, offering guidance, encouragement, and real-life insight as they grow together.

Mentorship is not a title—it’s a relationship.

What We Do!

Learn the Business

  • Intro to real estate development

  • Careers in male-dominated industries

  • Entrepreneurship 101

Live with Intention

  • Etiquette & presence

  • Healthy friendships & boundaries

  • Self-expression through art, fashion, and journaling

Lead with Culture

  • Black history & global African diaspora

  • Travel opportunities for cultural exchange

  • Style, language, and legacy from around the world

Learn Wealth Early

  • Financial literacy workshops

  • How money works

  • Scholarship and savings challenges

📈 Goals & Outcomes

Surf Shop

Program Goals:

  • Cultivate early exposure to business, culture, and leadership

  • Increase self-esteem and cultural pride among Black girls aged 10–18

  • Foster multigenerational mentorship between women and youth

  • Provide safe, affirming, and consistent community space

Key Objectives:

  1. Serve 45–60 youth annually across three age cohorts

  2. Match 100% of participants with a vetted mentor from the Bloom/Branch tiers

  3. Host monthly in-person experiences and 2–3 virtual sessions per season

  4. Coordinate at least one local trip and one out-of-state or international trip annually

  5. Provide stipends/scholarships to graduating RARE Jewels

Expected Outcomes:

  • 80% of youth will demonstrate increased confidence and communication skills

  • 90% of participants will show growth in financial literacy knowledge

  • 100% of graduating seniors will complete a personal legacy plan

  • Increase in long-term member retention and future Bloom candidates from the program

💫 Scouting RARE Jewels:

How We Find the Next Generation of Leaders

✨ Personal Invitations from RARE Women

Every woman in the Bloom and Branch tier is responsible for identifying and mentoring at least one young woman in her circle or community who exhibits potential, curiosity, or leadership.

“If you see her, shine on her.”
Whether it’s a niece, neighbor, church member, or young girl who stands out in class, RARE women are always watching for the next Jewel.

School and Program Partnerships

We collaborate with:

  • Local public, charter, and private schools

  • After-school programs

  • Community centers

  • Girls’ sports leagues

  • Youth-serving nonprofits (Big Brothers Big Sisters, Say Yes, etc.)

We’ll host RARE Days at schools: a pop-up empowerment talk and info session led by Bloom mentors.

Community Nominations

Parents, teachers, mentors, and community members can nominate girls via an open application form on the website.
Nominations include:

  • A short statement on why she’s a RARE Jewel

  • What season she’s currently navigating (emotionally or academically)

  • Her interests or talents

This is all about keeping our eyes on our own. 

Events & Open Houses

We’ll host seasonal “Sister Sip-Ins” or community events at Kerns Bowling Alley where families can come meet

The RARE Collective, learn about the program, and register on-site

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💕 Legacy Track
Girls who are younger than 10 but connected to our members will be added to a “Legacy Watchlist” so we can build early relationships and engage them as soon as they’re eligible.

🌱 Ready to Bloom?

RARE Jewels is more than a program, 

it’s a sisterhood, a legacy,

and a homecoming.
Join us in raising the next generation of rooted, affirmed, and empowered leaders. 

Please have the first and last name of the Jewel, Contact Information for their parent or guardian, their age, school and the reason you are nominating them.

Click the link below and let's ensure your Jewel shines, The RARE WAY!

Library Student
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