Wonder Girls Helps Teens Navigate Healthy Dating

Across Rockland County and New York’s urban communities, young women are navigating increasingly complex social pressures around dating, relationships, and personal safety, often without clear guidance or trusted spaces to ask difficult questions. According to a 2023 AP News report, 122 million girls worldwide remain out of school, and nearly 44 percent of married women lack decision-making power over their own reproductive health. These global realities underscore a broader truth: young women need early education, mentorship, and support to recognize unhealthy dynamics before they become normalized.

In classrooms and community spaces throughout Rockland County, Wonder Girls has emerged as a critical resource addressing exactly that need. Founded by Natalie Maniscalco, the organization goes beyond traditional mentorship by intentionally educating young women on healthy relationships, boundaries, and the warning signs of teen dating violence; topics that have traditionally been avoided or overlooked by many.

Maniscalco, a Ramapo High School alum, founded Wonder Girls with the goal of creating a safe, supportive environment where young women could build confidence while gaining real-world knowledge to protect themselves. “Giving back to Rockland County is deeply personal for me,” shared Maniscalco.  “To have Wonder Girls active in nine schools across Rockland is a dream come true.” Now in its sixth year, the organization serves more than 900 young women across New York and New Jersey, including approximately 400 in Rockland County alone.

A cornerstone of Wonder Girls’ educational impact is its partnership with the Center for Safety and Change, Rockland County’s leading organization focused on violence prevention and victim support. Through this collaboration, Wonder Girls integrates evidence-based education on teen dating violence, consent, and emotional safety directly into its programming. Leslie Rodriguez, Director of Youth Services at the Center for Safety and Change, works closely with students as both professional advocates and a Wonder Girls mentor.

“Being able to work where I went to school and interned is incredibly powerful,” Rodriguez says. “It allows me to help girls recognize what healthy relationships should look like—and just as importantly, what they shouldn’t.” Through workshops and guided discussions, participants learn to identify red flags such as emotional manipulation, isolation, controlling behavior, and digital abuse. They are also taught how to seek help, support friends, and access resources when safety concerns arise.

Through these workshops and discussions, students are equipped with practical tools, clear language, and trusted points of contact. For those who need additional support, the Center for Safety and Change provides counseling, crisis intervention, legal advocacy, and emergency services, creating a seamless safety net for young women and their families.

While relationship safety is a central focus, Wonder Girls also reinforces confidence through leadership development and mentorship. Career exposure, public speaking exercises, and service projects help participants build self-esteem, an essential factor in preventing vulnerability to abusive relationships. Monthly service initiatives foster community connection, while mentorship sessions provide a safe space for open conversation and peer support.

By combining empowerment education with direct instruction on dating violence prevention, Wonder Girls is addressing a critical gap in youth education. The organization is not only preparing young women for future careers but also giving them the awareness and confidence to protect themselves, advocate for others, and build healthier communities. As Wonder Girls continues to expand, its impact is felt not just in classrooms but in safer relationships, stronger voices, and more informed young women across Rockland County.

If you or someone you love needs assistance, please reach out to the National Domestic Violence Hotline, a 24/7 confidential service for victims and surviviors. Call 1-800-799-7233(SAFE) or text LOVEIS to 22522.