Our Stories

Donya.Saunders — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 17:07:00 -0700

There are many reasons why I majored in Social Work and as a result I have had the great joy of working with some amazing people. I have also had the great pleasure of supporting some pretty amazing families along the way. It has been no different in the work that I have done with our GIAC families, so as this program year comes to an end, I reflect on how much I have enjoyed receiving their smiles and conversations. I reflect on how many parents contacted me directly with questions or concerns about their daughters. Read more »

Our Stories

Donya.Saunders — Fri, 14 May 2010 10:06:56 -0700

Our Stories

Donya.Saunders — Thu, 13 May 2010 07:55:03 -0700

I walked into a coffee place about a month ago and read this quote somewhere inside:"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed, citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has." -- Margaret Mead Read more »

Our Stories

Donya.Saunders — Tue, 11 May 2010 12:24:46 -0700

I came into my position with AmeriCorps with three years of experience working in the nonprofit sector, most of which included working with volunteer programs. I had been attracted to doing AmeriCorps for quite some time, but I was blessed with other opportunities for full time work. Last year, I was laid off during the worse month of the recession. It presented an interesting opportunity for me. I knew I would be attending law school the following fall, so I only had a year to fill in the meantime. It was the perfect opportunity for an AmeriCorps position! Read more »

Our Stories

Donya.Saunders — Tue, 11 May 2010 10:34:53 -0700

My year of service has been instrumental for me in determining my future life plans. This year solidified for me that I want to spend my career in service. Next year, I am going to law school. I had already decided to go to law school when I began AmeriCorps, but the experience has shaped the direction I plan to take in law school. I will be preparing for a career in public interest law, especially immigration law. Through working with elementary school children for GIRLStart, I have become involved in the community and I know many of the families whom I serve. Read more »

Our Stories

Donya.Saunders — Mon, 10 May 2010 11:38:44 -0700

The most meaningful moment of the year for me was around the holidays when a group of volunteers organized a coat drive and donated more than enough coats for all of our Super Stars Literacy students, as well as some family members and other members of the school community. We happened to receive the coats and distribute them right in the middle of that especially cold week in December. At first, some of the us were worried about how the coats would be received, but within a single day, they were all distributed and put to good use, being worn by our students! Read more »

Our Stories

Donya.Saunders — Fri, 07 May 2010 16:54:41 -0700

The most meaningful moment of the year for me was probably the first time I heard the girls in my class correcting their own language and using the tools they've learned in WOW! After months of asking them to say "I do not prefer" and to use I statements and conflict resolution, the girls began to do these things on their own without any kind of reminder of me. Instead of saying "Oh my God, I hate you! You're hecka bootsy!" they began saying "I do not prefer when you act that way. Please stop." It was awesome. Read more »

Our Stories

Donya.Saunders — Wed, 14 Apr 2010 14:51:22 -0700

In my second week as an after-school group leader for 5th grade girls, I wore a shirt that said "This is What a Feminist Looks Like." At snack time two of the girls called me over. One said, "Miss Amber, what is a fem-eye-nist?" It took me a moment to realize they were commenting on my shirt. Read more »

Our Stories

Donya.Saunders — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 10:28:54 -0800

When girls are given the opportunity to have new experiences beyond their immediate communities, we challenge them to step outside of the familiar, beyond their comfort zones, to try on new roles and explore their capacities, enabling them to see themselves as being more than who they imagine themselves to be. This past December 6th and 7th grade All STARS participants from Roots International Academy and CCPA had just this opportunity.
Read more »

Our Stories

Donya.Saunders — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 13:06:58 -0800

It's 9 am, you pull into the Girls Inc. parking lot and notice how nice the garden looks. Or during the office flood miraculously none of your items were ruined. Perhaps the meeting room was neatly prepared prior to an important conference call you held. Read more »