The Butterfly Effect Project is spreading its wings to Greenport, bringing its popular youth mentoring program to the North Fork Arts Center — the latest expansion for an organization that began with just eight girls in Riverhead more than a decade ago.

The new Greenport chapter, the organization’s first on the North Fork, will offer young people opportunities to explore everything from cooking, gardening and fishing to the arts, tutoring and leadership development — all while fostering friendships, building confidence and developing important life skills.

Founded in 2014 by Riverside native Tijuana Fulford, the Butterfly Effect Project (BEP) began as a small mentoring initiative serving eight girls from Riverhead, Riverside and Flanders. It has since blossomed into a nonprofit serving more than 800 young people across Suffolk County, with more than 31 intergenerational chapters.

The organization established a permanent headquarters in Jamesport in 2024, thanks to the generosity of Craig and Ina Hasday of Laurel, who donated the property.

Participants are affectionately known as “Butterflies” (girls) and “Dragonflies” (boys), and the organization’s philosophy centers on four pillars: healthy relationships, self- and community care, critical thinking and confidence building.

Its guiding principle, “Each One, Teach One,” emphasizes mentorship, shared experiences and the importance of helping young people learn from one another and from supportive adults.

Families interested in enrolling their children in the Greenport chapter or learning more about the program can visit www.bepgirls.org, email katie@bepgirls.org or call (631) 591-0759, ext. 106.