If you have a question, feel free to email us at info@girlsincshelbycounty.org.
What is Girls Inc. of Shelbyville/Shelby County?
Girls Inc. of Shelbyville/Shelby County is a 501(c)(3) organization that has served the Shelby County community since 1972. We are an affiliate of the national youth organization Girls Inc., a research-based, education, and direct advocacy organization that inspires all girls to be strong, smart, and bold.
Girls Inc. of Shelbyville/Shelby County provides vital after-school and summer enrichment and educational programs to girls ages 5 – 17 to help them develop the values and skills they need to become confident, productive, and responsible adults. Our programs and activities are offered at our center in Shelbyville and at school and community sites throughout Shelby and Decatur Counties.
What is the history of Girls Inc. of Shelbyville/Shelby County?
Girls Inc. of Shelbyville/Shelby County, formerly Shelbyville Girls Club, opened in October 1972. The Shelbyville Girls Club adopted the new name. In 1992, board members of Girls Inc. attended a long range planning retreat where members discussed the feasibility of raising money to build a permanent home for Girls Inc., and in 1995, ground broke on the existing facility. In 1996, the Barbara J. Anderson Center opened, and the organization has been thriving from this location since then.
In 2011 and again in 2016, the Girls Inc. Board of Directors adopted a new vision for growth, and over the course of the last several years, the organization has experienced incredible growth and impact. Membership at the organization’s facility at 904 S. Miller Street, Shelbyville increased substantially, and in 2018, the affiliate completed a building expansion and renovation project to accommodate this growth. As the organization experienced growth at its facility, it also expanded its operations to partner with local schools and deliver comprehensive programming to all students in 5th, 6th, 7th, and 8th at the various schools in Shelby County. Based on the success of the school-based partnership expansion in Shelby County, the organization received funding from the National organization in 2017 to expand its school-based partnership program delivery model into neighboring Decatur County, and the organization has been doing so since the fall of 2017.
What are Girls Inc. of Shelbyville/Shelby County’s key program activities?
Girls Inc. programs are available for three major age groups: elementary, middle school and high school. Our programs are designed to help girls:
- Improve Self-Esteem
- Boost Grades
- Become Active In Their Communities
- Explore Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math
- Become Economically Independent Women
Click here to learn more about our key programs and activities.
What makes Girls Inc. unique?
Girls Inc. programming:
- Is comprehensive, including modules that develop across four age groups, building on learning from one area to another, rather than organized in short-term activities related to a variety of topics.
- Is intentionally focused on gender equity, inspiring girls to be strong, smart & bold, and key issues like pregnancy prevention, rather than general youth development and “safer” topics.
- Is based on high-quality, longitudinal, national evaluation research, rather than only local evaluation of program quality.
- Is delivered by professionally-trained facilitators, rather than volunteers who may not have the time or the training to offer excellent programs.
- Includes role modeling and mentoring as key components where older girls connect with younger girls, rather than groups segregated by age.
- Provides opportunities for girls to work with a number of adults with a variety of skills, rather than limiting the adults involved in the same one or two people over time.
- Reaches many girls (of color and from low-income families) who would otherwise be left out of enrichment programs.
How can I get my daughter involved in Girls Inc.?
Parents can enroll their daughter in a program by downloading the appropriate form(s) from the web site or by contacting the Girls Inc. of Shelbyville/Shelby County office and filling out necessary forms. A Girls Inc. of Shelbyville/Shelby County representative will assist parents with understanding eligibility requirements and in selecting the right program for their daughter.
Why does Girls Inc. only serve girls in-center?
The all-girl atmosphere allows girls to plunge into activities without worrying about whether they “belong” or not – or whether they are more or less skilled than boys. Gender-specific programming lets girls focus on their real interests, at their own pace, free from distractions and comparisons.
Girls Inc. believes and seeks to teach every girl that she has the right:
- To prepare for interesting work and economic independence
- To accept and appreciate her body
- To take risks, to strive freely, and to take pride in her success
- To express herself with originality and enthusiasm
- To be herself and resist gender stereotypes
What are the costs of Girls Inc, programs?
Girls Inc. Membership: $25 per semester
After school programming: $10 per month
Summer Camp: $75 per week
Gymnastics: Prices vary by skill level
Sports Camps: $20 for members, $35 for nonmembers
School-Based Programming: No cost to our girls
We strive to ensure that Girls Inc. of Shelbyville/Shelby County programs remain affordable to our participants. Families should not be discouraged from enrolling their daughters in our programs because of the cost. Scholarships or sliding fees are available to those families who demonstrate economic need.
How can I get involved with Girls Inc. of Shelbyville/Shelby County as a donor?
There are a variety of ways for individuals, businesses, and organizations to support Girls Inc. as a donor including our Annual Gala, Champions for Girls group, and our Corporate Partners program.
How can I get involved with Girls Inc. as a volunteer?
Volunteers play a key component in the success of Girls Inc. Volunteer opportunities are available to individuals, corporations, high school students, college students, and graduate students. Click here for additional details.
How can I obtain your programs in my school or community?
Girls Inc. of Shelbyville/Shelby County provides programs based on program requests and funding available. Fee-based programs are also available. If you would like to start a program in your school/community please contact: Kayla Schmidt, Director of School Partnerships 317-392-1190 | kschmidt@girlsincshelbycounty.org
How is Girls Inc. of Shelbyville/Shelby County funded?
Girls Inc. of Shelbyville/Shelby County is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit, tax-exempt agency (Federal ID # 35-1277849) and operates on a carefully managed budget. 85% of our funding comes from individuals, corporations, and grants.
How does Girls Inc. compare to the YMCA, Boys & Girls Club, or Girl Scouts?
Girls Inc. of Shelbyville/Shelby County takes a holistic approach to a girl’s life. Our programs focus on educational enrichment. Programs introducing career and life planning take their educational plans a step further and helps girls learn about potential careers and higher education. Members benefit from one-on-one tutoring and homework assistance. Girls also participate in health and fitness classes and work to develop a healthy body image. Other programs include pregnancy and substance abuse prevention, science, math and technology, leadership development, economic literacy, and personal safety.
Programs are designed to empower girls to set and achieve goals and make plans for their futures that will enable them to become responsible, self-sufficient women.
What else makes Girls Inc. unique? First, Girls Inc. focuses strictly on girls ages 5 -18. Second, Girls Inc. provides research-based and age-appropriate girls-only programs. Third, our programs are designed with girls in mind, and we offer a place where they have the opportunity to grow, learn, and play in a safe, supportive environment. All programs are facilitated by Girls Inc. staff who have been trained in Girls Inc. programming.
Does Girls Inc. serve only low-income areas or at-risk girls?
Girls Inc. of Shelbyville/Shelby County’s mission is to inspire ALL girls to be strong, smart, and bold, with special attention to girls who are at high-risk. We currently serve specific communities and schools based on determined need and available funding.
Where is the nearest Girls Inc. of Shelbyville/Shelby County program?
Girls Inc. of Shelbyville/Shelby county offices are located at 904 South Miller Street in Shelbyville, IN, but we serve over 11 sites throughout Shelby and Decatur Counties each year.
How many staff members does Girls Inc. of Shelbyville/Shelby County have?
Girls Inc. maintains a 20+ person professional staff. The organization is led by a volunteer board of directors. Click here to see a complete list of our staff.
What are some of the corporations that sit on your board?
Our board of directors comes from a variety of Shelby and Decatur County’s top businesses and educational institutions. Click here for a complete list of our board members.
Is there a Boys Inc.?
No, there is currently not an official Boys Inc. organization that is affiliated with Girls Inc.
What are the qualifications of your staff?
Our staff has a combination of experience and education in various fields of study. Most have or are currently working on a BA or BS degree. We currently have the following Bachelor’s degrees represented:
- Finance
- Education
- Media
- Multi-media
- Business
- Women’s Studies
- Comparative Literature
- Social Work
- Child & Adolescent Development
- Psychology & Social Behavior
- Film
- Human Services
- Public Relations
- Sociology
- Sociology on Conflict
- International Affairs
- Marketing
Girls Inc. of Shelbyville/Shelby County program staff also participates in national and local training, conferences, and seminars related to youth development and prevention efforts.
Does Girls Inc. of Shelbyville/Shelby County collaborate with other organizations?
Yes, Girls Inc. of Shelbyville/Shelby County collaborates as needed with other organizations to form mutually beneficial relationships and offer more programs and services to our girls.
How far in advance do you plan?
Girls Inc. of Shelbyville/Shelby County operates on a three to five-year strategic plan. Our calendar and fiscal year runs from January to December. Girls Inc. of Shelbyville/Shelby County plans programs and activities on an ongoing basis. We accept sponsorships and donations throughout the year and use funds accordingly.
What are some of your challenges (helping girls, raising money, etc.)?
Girls Inc. operates on a limited budget, relying heavily on gift support from individuals, corporations, and grants. For every girl that we serve, there are 25 other girls in Shelby County that need our help. Click here to learn more about how you can support Girls Inc.