A Tucson-based nonprofit that empowers young girls through mentorship and life skills is spreading positivity with handmade affirmation cards paired with bracelets that also raise scholarship funds.

Mini Poderosas’ “Poderosa Gram” project aims to raise money to help cover educational materials and sports fees, while also lifting community members' spirits.

Each Poderosa Gram costs $15, with sales beginning last Friday. Ten percent of each sale will go toward scholarships.

“The goal of the scholarship is to ease the burden of families. For example with sporting fees that can get quite expensive,” Azcuena Bravo, the group’s founder and leader, told Tucson Spotlight. “We wanted to come up with an idea that could impact not only Mini Poderosas and themselves but also the community.”

Each girl creates up to 10 affirmations, then uses a kit to hand-assemble the Grams, track her sales in a log and collect payments with the support of her parents. Grams can also be ordered online, with options for mail delivery or Friday pick-up.

“The whole idea of this is planting positive seeds into everyone's life,” Bravo said. “We thought about brightening up someone's day.”

At the heart of the nonprofit’s work is a commitment to building confidence through mentorship and hands-on experience, meeting each girl where she is.

“That is where I come in as a psychologist where I get to read where they are at,” Bravo said. “I get to read how much to push and who to pair them up with as far as mentorship goes. I would really like for them to gain more confidence and that comes with empowering them to make these sales.”

KaryAnn, the group’s public relations representative, said even a small gesture like a Gram can make a big difference in someone’s day.

“I know that sometimes students and people that have jobs get stressed very easily and when we give them a Poderosa Gram they feel and they can feel a little bit better about their day,” KaryAnn said.

One affirmation that resonated most with KaryAnn was a reminder of self-worth and individuality.

“One of the most positive affirmations that I have received would probably be that I am perfect just the way that I am but also that nobody is perfect because everyone is made their own,” KaryAnn said. “You shouldn’t try to change anything about yourself because everyone is unique.”

Bravo said the Grams symbolize something bigger than a fundraiser.

“We really want the community to know that this is a community investment, it's not just going to go to (the group),” Bravo said. “One hundred percent of the proceeds are going to go to our program, but that eventually is going to contribute to the community because we are investing in these girls early on. This is more than just a Gram, it's really to plant those seeds of positive energy for everyone and also community investment.”

McKenna Manzo is a University of Arizona alum and Tucson Spotlight intern. Contact her at mckennamanzo@arizona.edu.

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