Butterfly Effect Project to expand with new chapter in Greenport this fall

Greenport is the newest addition to the Butterfly Effect Project family as the organization adds its very first North Fork chapter.

The Riverhead-based organization is expanding further into the North Fork by launching a new chapter in the waterfront village sometime in October, with the North Fork Arts Center as its host, founder Tijuana Fulford told the Riverhead News-Review on Wednesday.

Right now, the local nonprofit is looking for at least two ambassadors and a handful of volunteers to help run it. They predict up to 25 kids in the North Fork area will join and may establish it as an all-girl chapter.

With chapters in Riverhead, East Hampton, Flanders, Southampton and other East End towns, Ms. Fulford said Greenport was the perfect “connector” to youth in the North Fork.

“It makes a complete circle, well, triangle technically,” Ms. Fulford said. “I look at us as a bridge — what we’re bringing is character, we’re bringing the opportunity for a child to build their character and flourish.”

Ms. Fulford founded The Butterfly Effect Project in 2014 and achieved nonprofit status the following year. In its infancy, the group started out holding meetings in the Riverhead Free Library basement with just eight girls living in the Riverhead and Flanders area. Today, the organization has grown to over 30 chapters in various communities and school districts that serve over 800 girls (and boys) throughout Suffolk County.

Over the last decade, the Butterfly Effect Project had hosted chapter meetings and community events primarily out of the First Baptist Church of Riverhead that focus on foundational skills, such as building confidence, practicing self-care, healthy relationship development and strengthening critical thinking.

In 2024, the local nonprofit reached a major milestone just in time for its 10th birthday — a permanent headquarters in Jamesport. It is the hub for its various programming, Juneteenth celebrations, back-to-school drives, holiday events and more.

Expanding further into the North Fork has been in conversation for some time, Ms. Fulford said. However, when hateful social media attacks arrived at BEP’s doorstep, her plans took a detour in order to prioritize the safety of her butterflies and dragonflies.

Since overcoming this, the Butterfly Effect Project has been on a path of community education, growth and success in the last year. These attacks never quashed their mission to provide a safe, judgement-free space for kids and teens to connect with one another.

“One of the things I’ve learned is something’s always going to be happening, there’s no such thing as the right time, it’s just time,” Ms. Fulford said. “We wanted a place that was kind of for all to see — no more basements, no more back doors, we wanted our butterflies and/or dragonflies when there’s different events to be front and center.”

Alison Omens, executive director of the North Fork Arts Center, said the theater is “delighted” to support the Butterfly Effect Project and its important work in empowering local youth.

“When we heard we could play a role in bringing their programming to Greenport, the answer was an easy yes,” Ms. Omens said in an email to the Riverhead News-Review. “We share a commitment to creating opportunity, strengthening community, and supporting education, and this partnership is a perfect example of how the North Fork Arts Center can collaborate to bring more programming and resources to our community.”

Those who are interested in volunteering or sponsoring the new Greenport chapter can reach out to [email protected]. A signup sheet goes live on bepgirl.org on Thursday for prospective butterflies who want to join the North Fork-based chapter.

“What what we will offer is laughter, we’ll be able to fill voids that the school district can’t fill,” she said. “We’re just an organization who wants to see every youth have the opportunity to dream and succeed.”