Благотворительная организация Ladies Under Construction помогает девочкам Центрального Индианы развивать лидерские качества и уверенность в себе

INDIANAPOLIS — Founded in 2009, Ladies Under Construction (LUC) empowers young girls across Central Indiana through personal growth and mentorship. The 501(c)(3) non-profit organization provides group and individual mentoring, educational trips, and life skills development for girls ages 5 to 17. Founder Aleanya Moore established the program after drawing inspiration from her own childhood experiences. “I was raised with my grandmother, my mother was absent, my father was absent, and it lacked a lot of women role models,” Moore reflected. “I just thought about a lot of different pain that I had as a young girl, and I wanted to turn it into the purpose and who I am today.” After years of dedicated grassroots labor, Moore emphasizes that the mission has expanded rapidly. “I’ve been so much in the weeds doing the work that telling the story of the work was not really my focus. Now knowing that it’s bigger than me… I try to make sure in this season of my life that I continue to share the story.” For older participants, LUC serves as a platform for leadership and career development. Noelle Wolfing, a 15-year-old Youth Ambassador who has been in the program for three years, says they help young girls with leadership skills, confidence, and just overall building them to be a better person than they already are.” Wolfing works behind the scenes recruiting peers and mentoring younger students at Frederick Douglass, instilling lessons on kindness and gratitude. The supportive environment has transformed quiet participants into confident leaders. Jazmyn Lottie, a 17-year-old student at Carmel High School, joined six years ago when her family relocated to Indianapolis. “It definitely helped me come out of my shell and kind of understand what it is to grow up as a young African American woman now,” Lottie shared. She encourages new participants to get involved, adding, “Just open up to it, because it’s so much that you can learn and grow from and do in life.” Parents also experience the program’s community-driven impact. Jacquese Tucker enrolled her daughter two years ago, witnessing remarkable personal and entrepreneurial growth—including her daughter launching both a lawn care service and a cookie business through program exposure. “It’s a family, just try it,” Tucker advised hesitant parents. “Get to know the other parents… we all are a community.” At its core, LUC remains dedicated to fostering joy and friendship among its youngest members. Eight-year-old Taylin Davie, a three-year participant, loves “that I can hang out with my friends and I have great mentors,” noting that members enjoy learning new things and attending group events together. Fellow eight-year-old Demi Morton agreed, sharing that her favorite part of being in LUC for three years is “making new friends” while learning how to “work together and play together.” Through group mentoring sessions, campus visits, civic outings, and annual events like their upcoming Youth Fashion Show at the Irvington Event Center, Ladies Under Construction continues to build a strong village for the next generation of female leaders.