Our Girl Scout Outreach Programs and Financial Aid offerings support
the Girl Scouts’ mission statement: to build girls of courage,
confidence, and character, who make the world a better place. These
programs allow us to extend the benefits of Girl Scouting to girls who
otherwise may not have access to leadership programs like Girl Scouts.
Our council currently serves approximately 20,000 at-risk girls in
approximately 90 schools and community centers and provides nearly $1
million in annual financial aid.
Girl Scouts prepares girls with skills they need to empower themselves for life and introduces them to new learning experiences that show them they are capable of more than they ever thought possible. Girl Scouts of San Jacinto Council seeks to close the gap in youth development programs in underserved areas by implementing community outreach programs and offering financial aid to give all girls an opportunity to grow their leadership skills and prepare them to meet educational obstacles and widespread challenges like peer pressure with courage, confidence and character.
Girl Scout Outreach
In underserved communities, traditional Girl Scout troops can be challenging to develop due to the lack of volunteer support, transportation, and limited financial resources. Our community outreach model was created to better realize GSSJC’s pluralistic commitment and belief that Girl Scouting is for all girls. In this model, paid GSSJC staff members deliver Girl Scout programming to girls exactly where they are, typically in schools but also at other community centers. Throughout the years, with input from girls, school officials and GSSJC staff, programs have evolved to meet new social issues, partnerships have grown, and new ideas have been born. In fact, community outreach girls have grown to approximately one third of our membership.
Girl Scout Outreach – Inspire Me (GSOIM) is the program for girls in elementary school. Programs primarily focus on leadership development, conflict resolution, healthy living, environmental awareness, STEM, self-esteem and relational aggression.
Girl Scout Outreach – Empower Me (GSOEM) is a contemporary issues program for middle and high school girls in which trained staff present age appropriate curriculum designed to combat negative peer pressure, sexual harassment and dating violence. These programs also help girls develop leadership skills, improve conflict resolution skills, set goals for their future, develop confidence, develop healthy relationships, make wiser choices and care about their community.
Financial Aid
We know there will be much need for Girl Scouting as girls deal with the stress of our current situation and its impact on their lives, and we expect an increase in the need for financial assistance as family situations change. This assistance helps cover the cost of Girl Scouting for girls in volunteer-led troops and can include the cost of membership as well as assistance to purchase uniforms and other program materials.
During these times, families turn to trusted and accessible activities for their girls, and we are prepared to meet their needs, serve our community and deliver our programming in ways that are safe and effective. Last year we awarded nearly $1,000,000 in financial aid to help girls participate in Girl Scouting, and we know that the need will only increase in the future.
