About the Project

My name is Joli Zahra Drevitch, and I founded Daughters of Resilience as a mentorship and healing program for Black girls in the Bay Area.

As a survivor of sex work, a formerly incarcerated youth, and a former foster youth, I know firsthand the challenges our girls face. Through resilience and community support, I’ve built a new path for myself: I am a proud graduate of San Francisco State University (B.A. in Africana Studies & Sociology), and I now serve as a personal trainer for Elaine Brown’s cooperative business initiative in West Oakland.

I carry these lived experiences with me as I create spaces where Black girls can feel safe, seen, and loved.

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Why This Matters

Black girls are disproportionately at risk of human trafficking, homelessness, teen pregnancy, and systemic neglect. Too often, they are left without protection, healing spaces, or mentors who truly understand their struggles.

That’s why I am launching an ongoing Black Girls Sanctuary for Healing, right here in Oakland, California.

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The Program

At each sanctuary event, youth will spend 3 hours in a safe, affirming space where they can access free wellness services, including:

• Mani/pedis

• Foot massages

• Guided stretching

• Natural hair care

• Meditation

Following the event, youth will have the option to join our mentorship program, where I’ve handpicked 8 dedicated women from the community to walk alongside them.

Mentorship includes:

• Meeting with youth in person twice a month

• Weekly check-ins (text or FaceTime)

• Bimonthly sister circles led by me, Zahra

• Support with therapy enrollment & school progress

• Monthly mentor reports

• Celebrating holidays together in community

Every youth will go through a careful intake process to ensure safety and proper support.

As CEO, I will coordinate with mentors, host regular events, and ensure each girl has a consistent, healing-centered space to grow.

Food and non-alcoholic drinks will always be provided at our events.

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How You Can Help

We are raising funds to cover:

• A safe location for our events

• Payments for community vendors and healers

• Gift bags for youth participants

• Ongoing supplies to make each sanctuary a success

If you have it in your heart to support, please consider donating to this campaign. Every contribution — big or small — will help us create a sanctuary where Black girls can thrive.

If you’d like to volunteer your services, please contact me directly:

Instagram: @zahra_fitness_

Together, we can build a future where Black girls not only survive, but rise in resilience.

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