The Best 40 Hours You'll Ever Spend!

Girls Inc. volunteers impact girls' futures with small time commitment

By Dana Bushouse, Coordinator of Volunteer & Intern Recruitment

Where else can 40 hours of your time have 40 years of impact? Volunteers who commit the equivalent of one work week to lead a Girls Inc. program permanently impact the girls they teach for the better.

Jamesha, age 12, and Dionne, age 10, recently completed a "Work It Out" program led by volunteers. Jamesha said, "Thank you for coming and helping us. I had a great time with Ms. Jessica and Mrs. Donna; I know what they taught us will work!” Dionne said, "I think this program will help people who are getting bullied and will help friends that are fighting with each other!"

Girls Inc. has made it even easier to become a volunteer! Check out our new online volunteer application and get started making a difference for girls!

In celebration of April's National Volunteer Month, we've asked experienced volunteer Maryvonne Kerzabi to tell us what she's gained from working with girls. Hear what she has to say in her video interview!

Join Us and Celebrate Girls' Rights!

Day-long celebration will star Indiana Fever player Tamika Catchings

By Christy Barlow, Director of Programs

On Saturday, May 2, girls ages 9-14 will join Indiana Fever star Tamika Catchings at Jameson Camp to celebrate their own bill of rights! In honor of Girls Inc.'s 40th anniversary, we're amping up the annual Girls' Bill of Rights day to include a full-day of exciting, empowering activities for girls. This year, girls will:

• hone fitness skills alongside Tamika Catchings.


• build confidence and teamwork skills through Jameson Camp's ropes course.


• form friendships with girls throughout Central Indiana.


• and much more!
  

Registration for this celebration is just $10 per girl. Everyone who attends will enjoy transportation to and from Jameson Camp, provided meals, and a goodie bag full of valuable personal and academic resources! Register a girl online by April 29th for the 2009 Girls' Bill of Rights Celebration!

Grab Your Paintbrush and Give Back!

Girls Inc. alumna hosts pottery night to fund summer camp scholarships

By Kristen Bax, Development Intern

On Saturday, April 18, stop by Pottery By You, a paint-your-own ceramics studio, and help send a girl to summer camp! The studio will donate 50 percent of the day's proceeds to summer camp scholarships, so each piece you paint from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. will benefit a Central Indiana girl. The need for scholarships is high -- over 75 percent of our campers have applied for aid this year!
Katie Laux, the studio's owner, is a Girls Inc. alumna and wants to inspire this generation of girls to be strong, smart, and bold -- like she is!
Pottery By You is located at 2278 W. 86th Street across from St. Vincent Hospital. Check out their website for more information.

Girls Inc. Staff on the Rise!

Three key staff members promoted to new positions at Girls Inc.

By Pat Wachtel, CEO

I'm pleased to announce three staff promotions:

Alison Schumacher (right) has been promoted from director of development to vice president of development;
Megan Siehl (center), our former grants coordinator, is now our manager of development operations;
Kristi Dobson (left), previously my executive assistant, is our new office manager.
For a complete list of our staff, please visit the online staff directory.

Featured Funders - Old National Bank Foundation & USA Funds

Smart College and Career Planning programs prepare girls for bright futures
By Megan Siehl, Manager of Development Operations

Girls Inc.'s interactive Smart College and Career Planning programs are helping girls prepare for academic achievement, while also helping them plan for their desired education and career goals. So when Caitlin, age 13, told us, "I want to be attorney general of the United States of America and a football player," she knew exactly how much schooling and work experience will be required to achieve her goal!

Many thanks to Old National Bank Foundation and USA Funds for their continued support of girls like Caitlin through our Smart College and Career Planning programs!

Just a reminder...

• Commit to being a positive influence for girls. Apply online to be a Girls Inc. volunteer!
• Get a girl involved in the Girls' Bill of Rights Celebration or one of our summer camps!
• Grab your brush and paint for summer camp scholarships at the Pottery By You studio on April 18.