Celebrating 31 Graduating Seniors at Our Annual College Shower

May 20th, 2026

We celebrated 31 graduating seniors at our annual College Shower — a joyful tradition recognizing participants in our College Access Now! (CAN!) Program as they prepare for their next chapter after high school.

The College Shower serves as both a celebration and a community sendoff. Seniors gathered alongside their families, mentors, staff, and supporters to reflect on their journeys and celebrate all that lies ahead. Each participant received a backpack filled with college and dorm essentials to help them begin this transition feeling prepared, supported, and seen.

During the celebration, longtime participant, Darlyn, reflected on the depth of impact Girls Inc. of Alameda County’s programs have had on her throughout her time with us:

“The programs aren’t just about the lessons in the curriculum; they helped shape me into who I am today. They taught me to be a leader, to be responsible, to manage my time well, to be resourceful, and most importantly, to have integrity and accountability.”

Darlyn will be attending San Francisco State University in the Fall

Her words captured the heart of what our programs are designed to do: to equip girls with the confidence, tools, and resources to achieve their dreams of college, career, and leadership.

All graduating seniors honored at the event completed Girls Inc. of Alameda County’s College Access Now! (CAN!) Program, an intensive college-prep and career readiness initiative that provides hands-on support with college applications, FAFSA and financial aid navigation, scholarship searches, essay writing, campus tours, mentorship, and post-secondary planning.

This year marks the 12th consecutive year that one hundred percent of our CAN! participants have been accepted to post-secondary institutions, and many will be the first in their families to take this next step. At Girls Inc. of Alameda County, however, we believe there is no one-size-fits-all pathway to success.

While 92% of our graduates will attend college this fall, others are pursuing different opportunities, including direct entry into the workforce. Through our programming, we strive to ensure every participant is equipped with the confidence, knowledge, and support to pursue the path that is right for them.

Following the event, CEO, Julayne Virgil, and graduating senior, Amira, joined KTVU to talk about the impact of our programs, the annual College Shower, and College Access Now! (CAN!) Program.

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**Special thanks to our Partners who made this year’s celebration even more meaningful. Each senior received a laptop donated by DPR Construction, essentials from our Amazon Wishlist purchased by the JD Finish Line Foundation, and hygiene and self-care kits donated by Sephora.

Your support helps make moments like these possible, empowering young people with the confidence, resources, and opportunities to pursue whatever future is right for them.

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