Socio-emotional learning (SEL) promotes student-centered programming and allows students to take initiative; helps students develop skills to work independently and in teams; builds leadership skills, as well as self- and social awareness; and encourages healthy relationships between students and with their peer mentors. There are many online resources that help educators get started in their SEL training.  (One such example is provided by CASEL, the Collaborative for Academic, Social and Emotional Learning.) As part of the Green Girls curriculum, socio-emotional core competencies are built into every lesson in intentional ways and in practice. Students come to understand and learn to articulate their own self-determination and the ways that they can encourage one another through collaboration, conflict resolution and supportive feedback. Each Green Girls lesson begins with an intentional SEL activity. Practice is built into the rest of the lesson through examples such as “Time For Applause!” in which students take a moment to reflect on their own contributions and by giving each other positive affirmation. This also fosters a group environment in which students are comfortable, feel they belong, and develop a lasting affection for each other and the program itself.