I know that one thing we all wish we had more of and that’s TIME. And really, that’s the ONE thing we all have the same. No one has more hours in the day than anyone else. The most important asset or resource one has is really their TIME as we can’t buy more or earn more. To give someone the gift of your TIME, really says a lot! So what does this have to do with Girls Inc.?
For the past few months, I’ve had the pleasure of working with 5 high school seniors helping them write essays to earn them scholarship monies for college. These girls have been involved in all aspects of Girls Inc. from college planning to body image sessions to health and nutrition classes. Many of the girls have been involved with Girls Inc. from a very young age. Most are first generations going to college and some have stories that give you goosebumps when you read how much Girls Inc. has impacted their growing years in such a positive way. I would hate to think of where they might be if it weren’t for Girls Inc.
So getting back to resources and time. Girls Inc. can use your help! As a non-profit organization, they run lean and manage their resources very well. However, some programs have been cut because of lack of funding. If you think giving them money or your time volunteering is a gift to them, IT IS; as they really appreciate it. However, I never thought I would get SO much back from the girls in giving them just a couple hours a week of my time. What you get in return is tenfold! Give yourself a gift in 2017 and get involved with Girls Inc. You will be pleasantly surprised!
~ Jan Walsh
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Dear Friends of Girls Inc.,
Something special happens at Girls Inc. every day. Wednesday is Gena's favorite day. On Wednesday, she volunteers and mentors a group of high school girls. She helps them apply for scholarships that mean the difference between going to college or straight to work after high school.
Brittney, a Girls Inc. senior, will be the first in her family to go to college. Since she was in elementary school, she has always loved math and she is determined to be an engineer. Our community needs more qualified engineers and Brittney could help our community with this need, if we are willing to help her now.
Because of you, girls like Brittney are getting the guidance they need to succeed in school and in life. Should they turn to school for help? Orange County has 1,251 students for every one counselor. Who will help them if not for you and Girls Inc.? Girls Inc. inspires girls, ages 5 to 18, to be strong (healthy), smart (educated), and bold (confident).
This year, I had to watch as girls who wanted to participate in Girls Inc. programs were turned away because we did not have the funding to meet the growing need. I do not want to see that happen in 2017. Neither does Gena. Gena Reed has been a board member, volunteer, and financial supporter of Girls Inc. for years. Because she has seen the power of Girls Inc. programming, she is making an incredible offer. For every dollar you give, she will match it...up to $25,000.
I am asking you to join Gena in supporting Girls Inc. and as many as 3,300 motivated girls like Brittney will be able to attend a Girls Inc. program in elementary, middle, or high school. You can help provide a girl an opportunity that she would not have without you. Your gift could help a struggling elementary school student learn to read at grade level, inspire a middle school girl to pursue a career in computer programming, or help a high school girl achieve her goal of going to college.
What you do now will make a difference in how many girls are able to participate in programs in 2017. Together, we can ensure that at-risk girls make healthy and safe life choices, succeed in school, and grow into the strong, smart, and bold women that our community desperately needs.
Please join us,
Lucy Santana-Ornelas
Chief Executive Officer
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Girls Inc. of Orange County programs are made possible through contributions made by strong, smart, and bold individuals like you.