The Butterfly Effect Project is a nonprofit, community-oriented organization started by Tijuana Fulford. It was Tijuana’s goal to start a program that would empower young girls by giving them the tools to achieve emotionally stable and self confident futures, in hopes of bringing forth a generation of women who are strong, independent and knowledgeable. The Butterfly Effect Project aspires to ensure that every girl enrolled in the program has a fair chance to broaden their horizons by eliminating obstacles such as mobility, cultural differences and finances. ​

The Butterfly Effect Project started on March 8, 2014 with 8 girls that came from Riverhead and Flanders areas. The program has grown to over 700 girls (and boys) from Riverhead, Flanders, Calverton, Mastic, Shirley, Bellport, Westhampton, Peconic, Patchogue and West Islip in 31 different chapters. ​

Participants have the option of attending chapter meetings in Riverhead, Bellport, Northville, the Poospatuck Reservation, Center Moriches, Westhampton Beach and Shirley (Dragonfly Only). Meetings take place during the BEP program year, which runs from October to June with enrollment beginning in August. Each chapter meets twice a month, and all meeting dates are available on the program calendar. Each chapter host their meeting focusing on four major components; healthy relationship development, self-care, confidence building, and critical thinking. ​

We also partner with schools, and implement a modified version of our curriculum adapted to best serve the students we are working with for a 30-60 minute period weekly or bi-weekly. We work with either a single class of girls or a combination of girls from different grade levels. We have partnered with Peconic Community School, Riverhead Charter School, Pulaski Street Intermediate School, Aquebogue Elementary School, Riley Avenue School, Phillips Avenue School, Roanoke Avenue, Center Moriches Middle School & High School, John M. Marshall Elementary. Please contact Lisa Miller, our School Liaison, lisa@bepgirls.org if you would like to discuss offering BEP programming in your building.

In addition, there are many community service and fun-filled events throughout the year which all groups attend. We also expose our youth to diverse activities and experiences, which help mold and challenge their minds while promoting academic success, hard work and self-confidence. The Butterfly Effect Project provides a safe place for young girls to be free, expressive and successful.