Girls Inc. of Long Island: Strong. Smart. Bold.
UPDATE: Right as we posted this, Vision Long Island shared a great interview with Girl’s Inc of LI Executive Director Renee Flagler. We strongly recommend checking it out!
Last autumn, I had the privilege of witnessing Girl’s Inc of Long Island produce their Annual Gala. As a teamwork connoisseur and a human being, I instantly fell in love with these strong, smart, bold and empowering women. The folks they draw into their fold are wonderful. Their skilled passion for the girls it is their job to nurture is inspiring.
Girls Inc. of Long Island was founded in 2005 by a diverse group of local women who saw a need for gender-specific programs in Nassau and Suffolk Counties that were designed to foster equity and hope. As an affiliate of a national organization that dates back to 1864, they are anchored to roots that run deep. At the same time, their branches reach out here and into the future as they continually respond to the changing needs of Long Island girls and their communities.
The mission is to inspire all girls to be strong, smart and bold, focusing on ages 5-18. They offer long-lasting mentoring relationships, a pro-girl environment, and research-based programming. All of this is designed to equip girls to navigate gender, economic, and social barriers, and to grow up healthy, educated, and independent.
Through trained professionals working in partnership with schools and local organizations Girls Inc of LI encourages girls to take risks and to discover and develop their inherent strengths. Informed by girls and their families, they also advocate for legislation and policies to increase opportunities and rights for all girls. An overarching goal is to empower girls to reach their full potential and to understand, value, and assert their own rights, including to:
Be themselves and to resist gender stereotypes
Express themselves with originality and enthusiasm
Take risks to strive freely and to take pride in success
Accept and appreciate their bodies
Have confidence in themselves and be safe in the world
Prepare for interesting work and economic independence.
It all seems to work.
You can check out some of their success stories here. Beyond anecdotes, a three-year independent study found that Girls Inc. girls live healthy and active lifestyles and are less likely to engage in risky behavior. They are eager to learn, successful in school, and more likely to graduate from post-secondary education. Overall, they display diligence, perseverance and resilience.
Learn More and Get Involved!
Check out their website follow their Facebook and Instagram. We strongly encourage you to attend their events and meet some of these folks in person. They have a breakfast coming up March 24th. It’s a good cause and a great place to network!
Like what you see? Support the endeavor!
You can download the Girls Inc of Long Island donor form (pdf) here. You can learn more about their impacts and smart, strong, bold ambitions [pdf] here. These include securing a new building with ample space to offer a state-of-the-art technology center and onsite educational programs as well as meeting, administrative, and storage space to accommodate both current needs and future growth. You can learn more about the Capital Campaign [pdf] here.
Says Executive Director Renee Flagler, “With a center, Girls Inc. will be able to expand program opportunities for girls on Long Island including STEM, afterschool, and summer programs.”
It’s also a great place to volunteer. Says Ellen Druda, a Leadership Huntington graduate who’s involved in diverse community endeavors and who chaired this most recent Gala, “One of the best parts about volunteering for Girls Inc. are the wonderful people I’ve come to know. I’ve met people from all backgrounds and talents, and we share a friendship that comes from working together towards a common goal. I want my granddaughters to grow up to be like the Girls Inc. girls – strong, smart, and bold!”
