More information on Girls Inc:

I have the pleasure to nominate Girls Incorporated of Upper Canada for the September 100 Women Who Care donation.  I have been a Girls Inc supporter for over a decade and am proud of the work they do ensuring that girls in Leeds and Grenville are taught the skills they need to become strong, smart, and bold women.  Girls Inc provides programing to girls between the ages of six and eighteen.  Programs are provided through in-school sessions, workshops, and summer camps.

I had a chance to speak with Kim Fenn who is the Program Facilitator for Girls Inc to find out what has been happening since March and how they have been able to support their girls during the pandemic.  I am in awe of all the ways Girls Inc been able to fulfill their mission.

COVID-19 had a dramatic impact on our community and Girls Inc rose to the challenge by pivoting out of school programming and running two “ZOOM IN” groups for elementary and high school students.  The programs ran twice a week for nine weeks.  Students were able to check in and take part in several programs including Girls Government.  The students learned about how governments work and how they can participate.  They were able to meet via Zoom with MP Michael Barrett at the end of the program.

Girls Inc also embraced Facebook Live and did a “Strong Smart and Bold Storytime” program highlighting books that encouraged girls to be strong, smart, and bold twice a week.  Daily activities were developed, and girls and their families could complete the activities with few or no supplies needed.  These activities included STEM (science, technology, engineering, math) themed projects and fitness routines.

Summer allowed Girls Inc to run in-person camps in Prescott, Gananoque, Brockville and Kemptville.  The camps were focused on the Mind and Body curriculum which allowed the girls to explore how to handle stress in a health way.  Health screenings, PPE and individual supplies along with smaller cohorts allowed the camps to run safely.

To allow more girls to participate, Girls Inc developed a new program called “Park N Play”.  Girls were invited to meet at parks in Kemptville, Spencerville, Gananoque, Mallorytown, Westport, Portland, Cardinal and Prescott. The girls played games and took part in a STEM activity. (They explored the rainbow chemical reaction and Gummy Bear DNA.)  Activity books were designed and given to the girls and snacks were provided.  It was a great way to engage with girls in some of the more rural parts of Leeds and Grenville.

Going forward, Girls Inc is ready and able to return to schools as soon as they are open to visitors.  There were 20 programs booked to start this fall in local elementary and high schools.  In the meantime, the team is focusing on running an evening program and are looking for ways to support families who are choosing to do school online.