Local girls take part in 'Adventure Sail'

Girls Inc. at the YWCA, the Racine Yacht Club and the National Women’s Sailing Association hosted the 10th annual Adventure Sail for local girls. Below is a slideshow of photos from the event:



Photos by Marie Block

Middle school girls take 'Action for Animals'

By Marie Block

Girls continue to amaze me. When a group of girls at Gilmore Middle School's Girls Inc. were asked what they would like to do for the community action segment of their leadership group, Girls in Action, they said they wanted to help animals. Then a group of girls at Jerstad-Agerholm Middle School were asked the same question. They responded that they want to do something about animals that are abused and neglected. Neither group had any knowledge of the other school's idea, yet they all expressed empathy for creatures unable to defend themselves.

Out of the girls' concern and compassion for creatures smaller than they, an event began to take shape. Action for Animals fair. Girls from both Gilmore and Jerstad have been working diligently all semester to raise donations for a raffle, organize activities, and spread the word about their mission to keep animals safe and healthy. Read below for info about Action for Animals and a story written by one of the key organizers of the fair.

Action for Animals
presented by Girls in Action
of Girls Inc. at the YWCA

Saturday, May 2nd
1-3 p.m.
Chavez Community Center
2221 Douglas Avenue, Racine

Face painting, games, raffle, and more!

Pets welcome!
(Just clean up after them please!)

Mackenzie

By Mackenzie
Gilmore Middle School
Grade 6

Girls in Action is a new middle school program this semester for Girls Inc. Girls in Action is about understanding leadership and community service. Girls in Action created “Action for Animals”, which is about helping abused and neglected animals. Girls Inc. is always willing to help animals and our community.

“Action for Animals” is important to us because animals are being hurt. It’s also important because neglected and abused animals should be helped. Other people should help too because how would you feel if you were being abused and couldn’t do anything about it.

You can help too. If you find any abused animals, report it. Every little bit counts. You can also help by donating money for our program to help the animals.

We are having a fair on Saturday, May 2 at the Chavez Community Center, 2221 Douglas Avenue, from 1-3 pm. We will have games, a raffle, face painting, crafts, and a photobooth. Any profits will go to local animal shelters.

Thank you for
your support!

Racine's Girls Inc. offers leadership camp, volunteer mentor program

UPDATE: Registration extended; see first comment below.

Girls Inc. is a program run by the YWCA to inspire elementary and middle school girls to be strong, smart and bold. The nonprofit is offering two exciting opportunities for girls this month.

The first is a leadership camp on Dec. 22-23 for girls who attend Gilmore, Jerstad, Mitchell and McKinely middle schools.

The second is a volunteer mentor program for high school students who would like to help elementary and middle school girls. Details for both programs are below.

BOLD University
Girls Inc. at the YWCA of Racine in partnership with Lighted Schoolhouse offer middle school girls attending Gilmore, Jerstad, Mitchell, and McKinley Middle Schools in Racine the opportunity to discover a new camp. Middle school girls will participate in Girls Inc. leadership development, group games and activities that encourage them to be their strong, smart and bold selves. A field trip is included. Lighted Schoolhouse has contributed a $45 scholarship for every registrant. The remaining cost is only $10 per participant. BOLD University will be held on Monday, December 22nd and Tuesday, December 23rd 2008 from 9am to 4pm at Assembly Hall at The DeKoven Center, 600 21st Street. Please contact your school’s Lighted Schoolhouse coordinator or Marie Block at girlsincracine@yahoo.com or (262) 989.2272 for a registration form or more information. Deadline to register is Friday, December 19. Download the registration form here!

She Volunteers
Attention all high school girls! Would you like to be a mentor for young girls? Do you need volunteer hours? Want to increase your leadership skills and opportunities to earn college scholarships? Girls Inc. at the YWCA of Racine invites you to apply to be a She Volunteer. If you can commit to 2 hours, once a week, after school next semester to help facilitate groups at elementary and middle schools, join us for the She Volunteers Winter Training. The mandatory training will be on Monday, December 29 and Tuesday, December 30 from 9am to 3pm at The DeKoven Center, 600 21st Street. Please contact your school counselor or Marie Block at girlsincracine@yahoo.com or (262) 989-2272 for an application or more information. Deadline to register is Friday, December 19th, 2008.