Girls Inc. is a non-profit organization created to empower young girls across the nation. They work with girls, age 6-18 years, to break molds like gender stereotypes, and economic adversity. Their mentorship program looks at the wellness of the whole girl: physical, mental and emotional well-being.
The American Institutes for Research provides information on behavioral outcomes of the program, showing that "girls who participate in the Girls Inc. Experience demonstrated improved academic performance, school-related behaviors, physical activity, and leadership outcomes.“ – Dr. Deborah Moroney, Managing Director of the American Institutes for Research" (girlsinc.org).
How would you have benefitted from a program like this in your childhood? I wonder how many more girls would participate in sports, science, math and other extracurricular activities if they had a safe space and role model to guide them. That is ultimately Girls Inc. purpose. They support girls in developing self-esteem, so they are equipped to make healthy lifestyle choices as they grow up.
With the help of trained professionals, Girls Inc. has created a safe space for girls to ask big questions about their life, education, relationships, body-image, and sexuality. It is important that young people find solutions to these questions and problems with a trusted adult, rather than seeking information from social media or their peers. Mentors make all the difference for Girls Inc. youth.
They currently have over 1,500 sites in 350 cities. For those interested in supporting Girls Inc., they have a local office in Santa Ana, California, otherwise they can be contacted via girlsinc.org or their Instagram, @girlsinc.