April 2024 Newsletter

Happy National Volunteer Month

This National Volunteer month, we are grateful for all the wonderful volunteers who show up for our youth and build meaningful connections, cheer them on and provide guidance and support to help them thrive.

This school year, we have been fortunate to have 21 program volunteers who generously spend their afternoons empowering our girls every week. Volunteers are crucial to creating a positive environment by building trusting and supportive relationships and ensuring that every girl gets personalized attention during programs. 

Since August 2023, more than 85 corporate volunteers have joined us at schools to host a workshop or volunteer at an event. Corporate partners are essential to helping enrich our programming by sharing career paths and bringing new experiences and opportunities for growth through hands-on activities that allow girls to learn a new skill and explore new interests.

Longtime volunteer Karen Aresti says, "I've been volunteering with the middle school age group over the last three years and find that programs like Girls Inc. are crucial for this age group as it is a difficult time in any adolescent's life. To offer a safe space where conversations about mental health and access to information they wouldn't necessarily get at home or in a school curriculum really sets them up for success."

Thank you to all our volunteers who are a part of our mission! If you are interested in becoming a volunteer go to www.girlsincla.org/volunteer to learn more.

PROGRAMMING

Selfie-Advocacy

During our Bold Unit, we encourage girls to discover and showcase their strengths.

In one lesson, girls were tasked with making a list of things that they do well and make them feel confident. That list was then used to create an "advertisement" of themselves highlighting their strengths. This exercise allowed them to reflect upon and celebrate their unique selves. By knowing and embracing their individual strengths, girls are able to confidently stand up for themselves.

Throughout our Bold Unit, our programming is focused on the importance of speaking up and believing in themselves. We know that girls' confidence begins to wane as they enter the teenage years and this consistent reinforcement of their talents and strengths helps prepare our girls to face the challenges ahead. 

Getting Empowered with

Volleyball Pro Julia Scoles

Beach Volleyball 2022 Rookie of the Year and FP Movement ambassador Julia Scoles stopped by for a volleyball session with our middle school girls.

Julia Scoles talked about her path and answered our girls' insightful questions. The girls were interested in learning about managing frustration and anger in a team setting and curious about whether being tall is needed for volleyball. She then took the girls outside and taught them some fundamentals. 

Introducing girls to various sports:

• Develops their confidence to try new things
• Improves their communication skills
• Fosters a teamwork mentality

Thank you to our amazing partners, FP Movement, for their commitment to helping girls reach their full potential.

News

Limited Tickets Still Available!

Be a part of our biggest fundraiser of the year in the city of dreams at Paramount Studios on Thursday, May 9th.

It'll be an inspiring night for you to feel connected to our mission and support our work. A live and silent auction will be held, with over 60 incredible items to bid on!

The funds raised will help us provide summer programming and expand in the upcoming 2024-2025 school year.

See pictures from last years event here!

Inspiring all girls to be strong, smart and bold!

www.girlsincla.org | info@girlsincla.org