“Girls Inc. Dallas is a not-for-profit organization of Metropolitan Dallas that inspires girls to be strong, smart and bold. Our campuses offer after-school and summer programs for girls ages 6 to 18 in economically disadvantaged neighborhoods. At Girls Inc. we have a vision of a world where every girl values her whole self and her inherent strengths.
“We are so grateful for the incredible efforts of Communities Foundation of Texas and their organization of North Texas Giving Day. Thanks to their efforts and the generosity of our donors, since 2009, we have raised over $38,018.54. We hope together we can arm girls with tools to overcome any barriers they might encounter.
“What kind of barriers?
“Our girls come from neighborhoods and families with extraordinary needs. Of the 847 girls who participated in Girls Inc. from 2012 to 2013: 66% lived in households with a single parent or neither parent and 74% lived in households where the annual income was $30K or less.
“Kyjelia: A real life story about the change Girls Inc. creates.
“My name is Kyjelia, I am packing my bags as I write this to head to my first year of school at Xavier University to study biology and pre-med.
“Heading to college is a chance for me to fulfill all my dreams and it’s really exciting because now I get to do the things my parents could never do. I grew up in the ghetto of West Dallas where drugs, teen pregnancy, prostitution and violence were the norm.
“Girls Inc. was definitely a safe haven for me. All of the activities and programming gave me positive things to do and kept me busy instead of running up and down the dangerous streets. As I got older, Girls Inc. constantly encouraged me to explore math and science. I built my passion for science by staying involved in their programs and volunteering.
“To me this part of my life means that I can start my own book. And through that I can create whatever destiny I want for myself and that is amazing.
“Help our girls, help the world
“We hope that you will join us on September 19 and donate at www.DonorBridgeTx.org or at the Communities Foundation of Texas Donations Stations. “
–Lori Palmer, CEO of Girls Incorporated of Metropolitan Dallas
* Photos provided by Girls Incorporated of Metropolitan Dallas