LEXINGTON, Ky. (FOX 56) — We’ve all heard the saying “it takes a village to raise a child”, well one Lexington organization is doing its part on that front to make sure local girls get the support that they need to succeed.

Lexington non-profit “Operation Be You” helps empower girls ages ten to seventeen with an emphasis on girls of color. Leaders teach the girls valuable skills including confidence and leadership.

Founder Roberta Davis said it’s critical work that has a lasting impact.

“With the young girls really suffering from acceptance, depression, and being isolated and not feeling heard, they need a voice and we are here to help push them to get their voices heard and to give them confidence to just be who they are and who they are created to be,” said Roberta Davis, founder of Operation Be You.

Davis said the girls who graduate from the program also say they go on to be more comfortable speaking up in class and participating in extracurricular activities.

Davis also provides the girls with a journal to help them discover who they are.

“They have to discover who they are. We published this book, ‘A Journey to Find Me’ because a lot of times they don’t really know who they are. There’s a lot of things going on around them especially with social media these days,” said Davis.

The organization is holding an event called Girls 5P Empowerment Program on August 3.

For more information or to get involved visit operationbeyou.com.