As the new Partnership Manager for SA2020, I’ve been touring and visiting with our amazing Partners to learn more about their work and how their efforts advance the SA2020 vision. I’ll be chronicling my Partner visits to connect the micro to the macro and prove how ground-level efforts are moving the needle across the Cause Areas and goals our community prioritized.
First up…the girls! I was glad to connect early on with a couple of amazing organizations that empower young women in San Antonio.
Camp to Success
I learned that Camp to Success leaders and sisters in social service, Tiffany and Kim Durham, are launching the opening of their new basecamp in June! I was so humbled by their enthusiasm and passion for empowering young women and their families, 78% of whom live at or below the poverty line. The team and I also had the privilege of joining in the camp experience and getting to hang with these Bright Girls to see the C2S model in action!
C2S is dedicated to building resiliency, self-awareness, self-esteem and leadership skills in young girls, regardless of individual, social or economic status. For example, one organizational outcome is to immerse their Bright Girls in college and career readiness activities, such as creating e-portfolios. Research shows early participation in these activities leads to increased post-secondary enrollment and completion. But C2S isn’t only concerned about Education. Additional programming promotes leadership, community building, self-care and mentorship. Building leadership, resilience and self-motivation in girls, C2S effectively impacts Civic Engagement, Economic Competitiveness, Family Well-Being and Health & Fitness.
C2S is always looking for volunteers to help serve their Bright Girls. Check out the many ways you can get involved by giving your time, talent or resources to this wonderful Partner.
Girls Inc. of San Antonio
Next, I had the pleasure of meeting Laura Villarreal, Development and Marketing Manager for Girls Inc. of San Antonio, and touring their (soon to be former) offices. Their new space at 118 N. Medina will allow them to extend their reach into the city’s Westside, which currently comprises 44% of program participants.
Girls Inc. of San Antonio strives to “inspire all girls to be strong, smart, and bold”, putting their mission into practice through the Girls Inc. Experience, life-changing programs and experiences that equip girls to navigate gender, economic and social barriers and grow into healthy, educated and independent adults. Like Camp to Success, Girls Inc. uses a female empowerment model through programming that fosters personal, academic and career goals, as well as improved self-control, emotion control and body image. Research shows positive self-esteem contributes to healthier body image and lifestyle choices. One organizational outcome, for example, is improved body image through encouragement of healthy habits, such as role-modeling healthy food choices and the dangers of risky behaviors. In addition to impacting social and emotional wellbeing, Girls Inc. also moves the needle on Education, Economic Competitiveness, Family Well-Being and Health & Fitness through its holistic programming and comprehensive approach to serving girls.
Join the upcoming Girls Inc. Town Hall Thursday, April 20 6:00-7:30, as experts educate and engage the girls on ways to eliminate sexual assault violence in honor of Sexual Assault Awareness month. Get involved in the Girls Inc. movement and explore the many ways you can contribute to achieving these and many more of our shared goals.
