Girls Inc.

88 Broad Street

Lynn, MA  01902

Middle and High School Programming—112 Market Street

781-592-9744

www.girlsinclynn.org

Organization Overview:

            The mission of Girls Inc. is to inspire all girls to be strong, smart, and bold by meeting the needs of girls in the community, developing girls’ capacity to overcome the effects of discrimination and be self-sufficient, responsible members of the community, and by serving as a vigorous advocate for all girls. Girls Inc. programs are designed with girls' experiences and strengths in mind and are held in a safe, enriching environment where girls can be themselves.  Our research-based, informal and fun programs center upon six core content categories:

-Careers & Life Planning    

-Health & Sexuality   

- Leadership & Community Action

-Self-Reliance & Life Skills   

- Culture & Heritage   

-Sports &  Adventure

            Any girl can become active with Girls Inc. by participating in fun enrichment activities, coming for homework assistance, and working on community events organized by teens.*

            At Girls Inc. all girls must spend time working on homework, or in a tutoring program. Classes and/or workshops are offered in test-taking skills, MCAS prep, SAT prep, writing skills etc, and college/career thinking and planning begins early, as issues are discussed with middle school participants as well as with the high school students. Girls Inc. hosts a Family Night where parents are invited to come and learn about deadlines and requirements in the college application process. The organization has linked closely with Educational Talent Search and its participants utilize the services of ETS, as well as visit colleges with Girls Inc., and can receive scholarships from the local or national Girls Inc. levels.

Best Practices:

            -A Career Path component which services 20 teens through:

-Career Exploration                              -           Computer Skills

                        -Career Speaker Series                                    -Volunteer Opportunities

                        -Practice reading job postings,              -Processing of internship experience

filling out applications, interviewing,

job etiquette, etc.

-Homework assistance, study skills,                  -Field trips to work sites

-SAT preparation, and tutoring

-Field trips to colleges and other           -Life skills including teen health,

educational programs                            drug abuse, STD and early pregnancy prevention

-Assistance with all aspects of a

participant’s life to ensure success

This program helps girls understand how academics are linked with higher education and career success.

-Alumni of Girls Inc. return to Girls Inc. to talk to current participants about the college experience.

-Adult mentoring/accountability takes place weekly for the girls of Girls Inc.

Areas of college access it addresses:

Academic Readiness—By helping students through college applications and providing tutoring and homework help opportunities, as well as workshops in test taking, SAT prep, MCAS prep, writing skills, etc. Girls Inc. addresses specific collegiate academic needs. The monthly Career Speaker Series also serves to meet academic readiness needs as it clarifies the education levels required for each career.

            Financial Awareness—Participants in Girls Inc. have the opportunity to receive scholarships from Girls Inc. on both the local and national levels. The staff and mentors at Girls Inc. also help students research other scholarship opportunities.

            Social Readiness—By connecting with adult mentors and staff, students are encouraged to be post-graduation minded.

            College Information Awareness—Trips to college campuses, Family Night, alumni sharing sessions, and mentoring all provide venues for students to be educated on college life, options, and the admissions process.