What is Girls Inc.’s
mission?
To inspire all girls to be strong, smart
and bold.
How many girls does Girls Inc.
serve and how many volunteers are involved?
Last year, over 7,000 girls in Alameda
County participated in Girl Inc., and approximately 700 adult
volunteers (women and men) help to provide the support for Girls
Inc. programs.
Why just girls?
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, Girls inc. is able to put them on the same playing
field as boys as they grow in life and develop into professional
and responsible citizens.
According to a study commissioned in 1999
by Girls Inc. and conducted by Harris Interactive, more than half
of high school girls are very dissatisfied with the role gender
stereotypes play in their lives.
- 56% of girls- 78% of high school girls
– said that, in schools, boys think they have a right
to discuss girls’ bodies in public.
- 65% of all girls said girls are expected
to spend a lot of their time on homework and caring for younger
children.
- 75% of girls – 81% of high school
girls – said girls are under a lot of pressure to dress
the right way.
- Nearly twice as many girls as boys (47%
compared to 29%) believe that girls and boys are more the same
than different.
- Girls with the highest scores on quality
of life were more likely than girls with low scores to feel
that girls have the same abilities as boys – 50% versus
42%.
Does Girls Inc. work with boys?
Yes, although this is not our expertise.
Our Health and Sexuality Programs periodically serve boys by providing
curriculum-based programs in the schools, one-time customized
workshops, and professional trainings. Our Pathways Counseling
Center also serves boys.
What kinds of programs are available
for girls?
More than ever, services offered by
Girls Inc. are critical in a community that cares about the healthy
development of all young people. To meet the needs of girls and
young women in our community, Girls Incorporated of Alameda County
offers programs in the following areas:
- Personal & Life Skills Development
- Science and Technology
- Skill Development
- Leadership Development & Community
Service Opportunities
- Community Outreach programs
What is Girls Inc.’s annual
budget?
Girls Inc.’s annual budget is
over $6.8 million. Support is provided by corporate, foundation
and individual donations, government, workplace giving programs,
United Way and community support.
What is Girls Inc.’s view
on sexuality?
Girls Incorporated encourages all girls
to develop positive sexual identities and to function comfortably
as responsible sexual beings. We recognize that the family is
the primary source of information about sex, and we help girls
and young women communicate with their families about sexuality.
To make responsible decisions about sexuality,
pregnancy and parenthood, girls need and have a right to sensitive,
truthful sexuality education; convenient access to safe, effective
methods of contraception and protection from disease; and referral
to comprehensive information, counseling, clinical and other services
that support their responsible decisions. We recognize that any
sizable group of girls includes those who face issues related
to their sexual orientation or that of a family member and who
face discrimination based on this sexual orientation. Girls have
a right to positive, supportive environments and linkages to community
resources for dealing with issues of sexual orientation.
What is Girls Inc.’s view
on reproductive freedom?
Girls Incorporated affirms that girls
and young women should make responsible decisions about sexuality,
pregnancy and parenthood.
We recognize the right of all women to choose
whether, when, and under what circumstances to bear children.
Reproductive freedom and responsibility are essential to other
rights and opportunities, including pursuit of education, employment,
financial security and a stable and fulfilling family life. Restrictions
of reproductive choice are especially burdensome for young women
and poor women. Girls Incorporated supports a woman's freedom
of choice, a constitutional right established by the U.S. Supreme
Court in 1973 in Roe vs. Wade.
What are the demographics of
the girls in Girls Inc. programs?
Here are some general facts about the
girls we served in 2003:
- Girls range evenly between the
ages of 5 and 18 across all of our programs
- More than 85% are girls of color
- About 65% live with a single parent
- Nearly 30% of our girls are from
families earning less than $35,000 annually.
- Many of our girls attend under-funded
schools in the Oakland area where over half of the students
score in the lowest quadrant of basic achievement tests
In what capacity does Girls
Inc. use volunteers?
Girls Inc. uses volunteers in every
area of the organization - from providing homework help for the
girls to assisting with events. We also have an internship program
for college students who want to attain real-life experience in
any of the departments. For more information about volunteering
please call Nicki Guard at 510/ 357-5515 ext. 263 or email nguard@girlsinc-alameda.org.
Where are Girls Inc. programs
and services offered?
Girls Inc. offers programs and services
to over 7,000 girls at 45 schools and community sites in the East
Bay. We serve primarily low-income girls ages 5-18 in Alameda
County, California: San Leandro, Oakland, San Lorenzo, Hayward,
Castro Valley and Union City. |
