Support & Get Involved Archives

What It Takes to Bring 8 Young Women to the U.S.

by AJ Kennedy | Aug 22, 2025 | Support & Get Involved

In May 2026, Staging Her is bringing eight extraordinary young women from underprivileged countries to the United States for an intensive circus arts training and performance tour. Over the course of two months, they will not only train and perform but also gain mentorship, cross-cultural exchange, and life skills that will empower them far beyond the stage. When they return home, they will carry this knowledge back to their communities, becoming mentors and leaders who inspire the next generation of young women to dream bigger.

But to make this life-changing opportunity possible, we need your support. Every detail, from airfare and housing to costumes, training facilities, and even daily meals, plays a part in creating a safe, nurturing, and professional experience for these girls. Below, we’ve broken down the expected expenses so you can see exactly where your donation goes — and how every dollar helps bring these girls closer to the stage and closer to their future.

Photo of Training Candidate Gisele. Click to see more about Gisele.

Travel

Bringing the girls to the U.S. and moving them safely between training facilities and performance venues is at the heart of the program. Travel expenses cover both international flights and reliable ground transportation, ensuring the entire journey is smooth from start to finish.

Airfare & Travel: International flights for 8 artists

Per Girl: $1,500

Total for 8: $12,000

Airfare is one of the largest upfront expenses of the program, making it possible for each young woman to begin her journey. Covering these international flights ensures all eight artists can travel safely to the U.S. and return home ready to share their new skills and experiences with their communities.

Ground Transportation: Tour transportation within the U.S.

Per Girl: $1,125

Total for 8: $9,000

Ground transportation covers vans, fuel, and all domestic travel needs while the girls are in the U.S. This ensures they can reliably get to training facilities, housing, and performance venues across the tour, allowing the program to run smoothly from day to day.

Living Expenses

A stable home base and consistent nourishment keep the artists healthy, focused, and ready to learn. These costs apply to each participant over the 61-day program, shown per girl and as a total for all eight.

Lodging : Housing during training and tour

Per Girl: $1,500
Total for 8: $12,000

Comfortable, safe housing covers rent, utilities, and basic household needs so the girls can rest, recover, and stay focused between rehearsals and performances. Proximity to training spaces and venues also reduces commute time and stress.

Meals & Daily Expenses

$15/day per artist × 61 days

Per Girl: $915
Total for 8: $7,320

This provides three simple, healthy meals a day plus essentials like drinking water and basic personal items. Covering daily needs ensures every participant can fuel up, stay well, and fully engage in training and performances.

Photo of Training Candidate Tala. Click to see more about Tala.

Training & Performance Prep

Preparing the girls for the stage requires more than passion — it takes space, equipment, and technical support. These expenses cover the essentials that transform their hard work into polished, professional performances.

Training Facilities: Elemental 5 rental & staff

Total Program Cost: $3,000

Elemental 5 provides a professional training space equipped for circus arts. This cost includes facility rental and staff support, giving the girls a safe environment to rehearse, develop new skills, and prepare their performances.

Costumes & Props: Performance materials

Total Program Cost: $2,500

From vibrant costumes to specialized props, these materials are key to bringing the girls’ artistry to life on stage. Each piece adds to the visual storytelling of their performances while ensuring safety and quality.

Production: Lighting, sound, and technical crew

Total Program Cost: $3,500

Behind the curtain, a skilled production team makes every show possible. This includes lighting, sound systems, and technical staff who ensure the performances run smoothly and meet professional standards.

Photo of Training Candidate Angel. Click to see more about Angel.

Training & Performance Prep

Training Facilities: Elemental 5 rental & staff

Total Program Cost: $3,000

Costumes & Props: Performance materials

Total Program Cost: $2,500

Production: Lighting, sound, and technical crew

Total Program Cost: $3,500

Candidates Tihunzer and Yeamlaknesh for Woman Empowerment donations

Photo of Training Candidate Tihunzer and Yeamlaknesh. Click to see more about them.

Showcasing the Tour

Once the training is complete, it’s time to share the girls’ artistry with audiences. These expenses ensure the performances have both a stage and an audience to inspire.

Venue Rentals: Theaters for tour performances

Total Program Cost: $10,000

Professional venues give the girls the space and atmosphere their work deserves. Renting theaters across the tour provides safe, equipped performance spaces where the audience can experience the full impact of their artistry.

Marketing & Promotion: Posters, online ads, media outreach

Total Program Cost: $4,000

To fill the seats and spread awareness, we invest in marketing. This includes posters, online ads, and media outreach to ensure the performances reach wide audiences and generate community support for the program.

Safety & Support

Behind every great program is a foundation of planning and protection. These expenses safeguard the girls’ ability to participate, protect their well-being, and provide peace of mind when the unexpected happens.

Visas

P-3 visa petition & application fees

Total Program Cost: $5,000

Each artist requires a special P-3 visa for cultural exchange programs. This process involves application fees, legal documentation, and petition costs that allow the girls to train and perform legally and securely in the U.S.

Insurance

Liability & event coverage

Total Program Cost: $4,680

Insurance provides critical protection for both the participants and the program. From liability to event coverage, this ensures that training, performances, and travel are conducted responsibly with safeguards in place.

Contingency

Emergency fund

Total Program Cost: $2,000

Unexpected expenses can arise — from last-minute travel changes to medical needs. The contingency fund acts as a safety net, making sure the program can adapt quickly and the girls remain cared for no matter what comes up.

Visas to woman to come to america for empowerment

The Big Picture

Bringing these eight young women to the U.S. for two months of training, cultural exchange, and performance is a bold undertaking — and one worth every dollar. When we add up travel, living expenses, training and performance prep, tour showcases, and the essential safety and support behind it all, the program comes to a total of $75,000.

Total Program Cost: $75,000
Average Per Girl: ~$9,375

Every contribution plays a part in this journey. A gift can cover a meal, provide a night of safe lodging, fund costumes and props for the stage, or even sponsor an entire girl’s experience from start to finish. Together, these investments create not only a successful tour, but a ripple effect of empowerment that continues when each young woman returns home as a mentor and leader.

If you’d like to explore other ways to get involved, even beyond donations, read our blog: How You Can Sponsor a Woman’s Journey (Even If You Can’t Donate Right Now)

With your support, these girls will take the stage this May — and inspire change that lasts far beyond the spotlight.

About the Author

AJ Kennedy

Amanda Kennedy is a storyteller, mother, and lifelong martial artist with a passion for empowering others. With years of service across multiple nonprofits, she brings heart, discipline, and creative vision to her work with Staging Her.

How You Can Sponsor a Woman’s Journey (Even If You Can’t Donate Right Now)

by AJ Kennedy | Jul 31, 2025 | Support & Get Involved

At Staging Her, we believe that women’s empowerment begins when the world stops asking her to stay small. Our mission is to help women from underrepresented and developing communities rise beyond barriers through the transformative power of circus and performance. Every woman who joins our program embarks on a courageous journey—claiming space, discovering voice, and stepping into leadership.

We know that not everyone is in a place to give financially. But supporting a woman’s journey doesn’t always require a donation. Advocacy for women’s empowerment comes in many forms—showing up, speaking out, sharing stories, and standing beside her. Your voice, time, and presence can be just as powerful as a check.

Here are meaningful ways you can sponsor a woman’s journey with us, even if you can’t give right now.

Empower Women by sharing on social media

Share Her Story on Social Media

One of the simplest but most impactful ways to support a woman’s journey is by sharing her story on social media. Follow the Staging Her’s pages and spread their updates, videos, and success stories. When you share posts about a woman’s performance or achievements, you help shine a spotlight on their talent and dreams. Your Facebook post or tweet might reach someone new – perhaps a future donor, volunteer, or mentor who was unaware of the cause until they saw your share.

Not a follower yet? Check out our social media pages and follow us to help us spread the word.

Facebook: @Stagingher
Instagram: @Staging_her
Tiktok: @staging.her

Remember, your voice online can be a powerful force for women’s empowerment. Every time you share a post, story, or performance, you help introduce our mission to new audiences who might not otherwise hear it. That ripple effect can inspire others to engage, get involved, and take action. With just a click and a few heartfelt words, you become a digital advocate who elevates her journey and helps our movement grow.

Volunteer Your Time and Skills

If you can’t give funds, give what you can—your time, skills, or hands-on help. Organizations like ours run on the energy of volunteers just as much as donors. Whether you’re a performer, a marketer, or simply someone who wants to pitch in, there’s a place for you. You might help with event ticketing, capture photos or video, assist with admin tasks, or lend creative skills like writing or design. Even unglamorous tasks—like handing out programs or cleaning up—make a big difference. Your time keeps the program running and directly supports each woman’s journey. And in return, you get to witness the impact of your help up close.

For more information on volunteer opportunities, reach out to us here.

Sharing conversations about women's empowerment advocacy

Amplify the Mission in Everyday Conversations

As we mentioned earlier, sharing on social media is a powerful way to spread the word—but don’t overlook the impact of everyday conversations. Talking about our mission with a friend over coffee, mentioning a recent performance at your book club, or bringing up our work in your workplace or community group can spark genuine interest. These small, personal moments of advocacy create ripple effects that social media alone can’t always reach. When the women in our program hear their stories are being shared and celebrated in real life, it sends a powerful message: you are seen, supported, and believed in.

Event Space Needed for Womans empowerment

Offer event space, gear, or supplies through personal or workplace connections.

Have access to a space, equipment, or supplies? Your connections could make a huge impact. Whether it’s offering a rehearsal room, lending sound or lighting gear, or donating items like fabric, makeup, or tools, in-kind contributions help us stretch every dollar further. You might also know someone—through your workplace, gym, school, or community—who can offer what we need. These resources may seem small, but they make our programs possible and help women train, perform, and grow in a safe, supported environment.

Help Us Build Connections That Open Doors

One meaningful way to support Staging Her—without spending a dime—is by connecting us to opportunities and people who believe in women’s empowerment. If you come across a grant, community award, or local spotlight for impactful nonprofits, take a moment to nominate us. These recognitions and micro-grants can lead to crucial funding, greater visibility, and expanded programming.

Just as valuable is introducing us to individuals, businesses, or organizations aligned with our mission. Whether it’s an arts council, a women-led company, or someone passionate about advocacy, these connections can open doors to collaborations, sponsorships, or other forms of support. A single introduction or nomination can help us secure costumes, rehearsal space, or bring one more woman into the program. Your network may hold exactly the connection we need—and sharing it is a powerful act of advocacy.

Do you have an idea of an organization you think we should be partnering with? Let us know!

Share Your Story to Inspire Others

If you’ve already shared our mission in conversation or reposted a performance online, consider taking it one step further. Writing a personal testimonial—about how our work or a specific performance impacted you—can deeply resonate with others. These reflections can be shared on social media, added to our website, or posted as a review to help build credibility and community. Want to go even further? Pitch an article or guest post to your local newspaper, blog, or community newsletter. By sharing your connection to Staging Her in your own words, you help amplify our mission and bring more visibility to the women we serve. Your story might be the spark that brings a new supporter into the circle.

Together We Rise with Womans empowerment

Empowering a woman through the arts takes a community and every act of support matters. You don’t need money to make a difference. By sharing her story, showing up, volunteering your skills, or simply offering words of encouragement, you become part of her journey. Sponsorship is more than a donation—it’s the smile in the crowd, the hand behind the scenes, the post that amplifies her voice. So even if you can’t give financially, take heart: you still have so much to offer. Together, we rise.