The purpose of Girls Inc. programming is to enable girls to achieve their full potential. To do this, girls must conquer social, legal and cultural barriers that are different than those of boys. By providing space and programming that is targeted specifically to girls, their needs and their challenges, we are able to put them on the same playing field as boys as they grow through life and become professional and responsible citizens.
Do Any Of Your Programs Work With Boys?
Yes, although this is not our expertise. Our Outreach Programs and Health and Sexuality Programs periodically serve boys by providing long term, curriculum-based programs, one-time customized workshops, and professional training in Girls Inc. curricula which may then be taught to boys. Our Center Based Programs for Youth, ages 6-11, and Teens, ages 12-18 are designed specifically and implemented for girls only.
Do You Serve Only "Delinquent" Or "At-Risk" Girls?
No, Girls Inc. programming is open to ALL girls. Because our Center is located in West Denver, girls who attend our center-based programs often have some "at-risk" factors in their lives such as insufficiently-funded schools or family income below the poverty level. Our outreach-based programs are marketed mostly to communities that also demonstrate "at-risk" factors. So again, many of the girls who attend may be considered "at-risk." However, it is important to note that Girls Inc. of Metro Denver will deliver our programs anywhere they are requested based on the capacity of our staff and volunteers to do so.
Do You Work In Collaboration With Any Other Agencies?
Yes, we work extensively and partner closely with more than thirty other agencies in our region. These include other non-profits, public and private schools, the juvenile justice system, faith-based organizations, and other youth-serving agencies. These affiliations allow us to leverage our strengths with those other organizations and effectively serve over 3,000 girls a year.
How Do Girls Find Out About The Program?
Girls and families find out about the programs in our Center through friends and through recruitment efforts at Denver-area schools. Our outreach-based programs are usually scheduled through agencies with whom we partner and those agencies usually manage the recruitment efforts. For information about how to bring a Girls Inc. program to your school or organization please click here.
Where Do You Get Your Funding? Do You Receive National Or State Funding?
The largest percentage of our funding comes from private sources. Yes, we do receive some national and state funding, much of that for AmeriCorp volunteers that help expand our capacity to serve girls.
We have volunteers in every area of our organization everything from providing homework help for the girls to assisting with our events. We also have an internship program for college students who want to attain real-life experience in any of our departments.
The Girls Inc. Alliance was founded in 1995 to provide financial and volunteer support to Girls Inc. of Metro Denver. This group of committed people provides countless volunteer hours and about 20% of our annual operating budget though their fundraising events.
