Bringing the Girls Inc. experience to more girls

Girls in the U.S. and Canada today face vast and often intersecting challenges such as bullying, sexual harassment, barriers to academic and career success, limited expectations and stereotypes to name a few. Further inequalities associated with race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, and ability only exacerbate these issues. Girls living in poverty are additionally at increased risk of chronic health and psychological disorders, higher rates of violence and crime, lower rates of high school completion, and limited access to the economic and social necessary to thrive.

At Girls Inc., we understand these real and profound challenges, and focus on comprehensive whole-girl development, so each girl has the resources she needs to grow up healthy, educated, independent - especially the girls that need us most. Our pro-girl environment and and girls-only, research-based, programming equips girls to lead fulfilling and productive lives and become role models in their community.

Girls Inc. is actively providing the critical pro-girl, girls-only spaces which break down barriers, and celebrate the strengths that girls bring to the table, confirming to girls that they are capable. In pro-girl, girls-only environments, girls’ concerns are valued and respected; all leadership positions are filled by girls, allowing for girls to find and use their voices, and develop critical leadership skills. By ensuring a physical and emotionally safe space, together, we are increasing girls’ self-esteem and creating social support networks that sets them up for success.

Our research-based programming concentrates solely on girls and young women in order to address the hardships they encounter every day, while leveraging their capabilities. In doing so, we equip girls with the knowledge, skills, and confidence they need to improve their lives and reach their goals. In fact, research suggests that girls-only programming has been proven to positively impact adolescent girls’ overall well-being: girls engaged in gender-specific programming demonstrate significant positive outcomes, including: improved problem-solving, conflict resolution, critical thinking skills, anti-bullying, refusal skills and increased levels of physical activity. By focusing specifically on girls from low-income communities, together, we, combat the cycle of poverty, and strengthen communities as a whole.

Thanks to your support, we are working diligently towards our organizational goal of doubling the number of girls served intensively by 2020. With your help, it has been possible for Girls Inc. to invest in the promise of our network, and we have measured impressive growth so far: our first group of affiliates - recipients of growth grants in 2017 - have collectively grown a remarkable 41% since their initial awards.

Now, following a rigorous application and review process, we are excited to share with you the second class of affiliates who will continue to grow the network for the girls who need us most:

Girls Inc. of Central Alabama                                             

Girls Inc. of the Central Coast                                             

Girls Inc. of Chattanooga                                                      

Girls Inc. of Columbus and Phenix-Russell                          

Girls Inc. of Fort Smith                                                            

Girls Inc. of Halton                                                                   

Girls Inc. of Kingsport                                                                

Girls Inc. of Limestone, Algonquin, and Lakeshore          

Girls Inc. of Long Island

Girls Inc. of Greater Los Angeles

Girls Inc. of Lowell

Girls Inc. of Memphis

Girls Inc. of Orange County

Girls Inc. of the Seacoast Area

Girls Inc. at the YWCA of Syracuse & Onondaga County

Girls Inc. of Westchester

Girls Inc. of West Contra Costa

I hope you take pride in these significant accomplishments, and the transformational Girls Inc. experience. These well-laid plans were only brought to action through your generosity, your trust in our girls-only programming and pro-girls environments, and your belief in the ability of our network to execute and sustain consistent growth.

We are grateful to work with you to ensure that more girls than ever before have access to the critical resources and skills they need to grow into the adults and the leaders we need for tomorrow.

Warmest regards,

Judy

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