Empowering girls in an equitable society
Girls Inc. of San Antonio is all about empowering local girls. We serve Bexar County girls, ages 6 to 18, by offering a wide range of in-school, after-school and extracurricular programs. These research-based programs build girls’ self-esteem, transform their views of themselves, and help them recognize their potential as leaders, friends, innovators and independent thinkers. As a champion for all girls and young women for more than 12 years, we believe that every girl has the potential for success and that every girl has the right to pursue her own ambition, despite the context of her life or the obstacles she faces.
Since Girls Inc. of San Antonio began in 2004, more than 30,000 girls have been involved in our strong, smart, and bold programs.
54% of girls participate in Girls Inc. programs multiple times, in multiple ways. Direct and comprehensive programs are holistic, compensatory, and intentional activities that focus on girls’ needs and provides access and opportunity to a wide variety of experiences and options that girls might not experience otherwise. We are proud of the 19% growth in girls served through comprehensive programming. Our approach to youth development for girls shows that sustained exposure to programming and connection with a girl over time increases positive outcomes and reduces the potential for negative outcomes.
We support girls who need us the most – girls who wouldn’t otherwise have the opportunities, experiences, or role models to lead fulfilling and productive lives and break the cycle of poverty.
Age Groups
Family Income
Race/Ethnic Background
Focusing on the “Whole Girl”
Girls Inc. inspires all girls to be strong, smart, and bold. Our comprehensive approach to whole girl development equips girls to navigate gender, economic, and social barriers and grow up healthy, educated, and independent.
These positive outcomes are achieved through three core elements:
- people – trained staff and volunteers who build lasting, mentoring relationships;
- environment – girls-only, physically and emotionally safe, where there is a sisterhood of support, high expectations, and mutual respect; and
- programming – research-based, hands-on and minds-on, age-appropriate, meeting the needs of today’s girls.
In Their Own Words; testimonials from the girls
“My Mom learned about Girls Inc. at work and encouraged me to get involved. During the summer, I volunteer as a Camp Program Aide working with girls ages 6-8. Having a bunch of girls in one place with different personalities showed me how unique we all are.
It is great to be surrounded by people who presented women as not a picture but as a human being – someone real and intelligent. I love the fact that at a young age we are telling girls that it doesn’t matter what you look like but that you are comfortable in the body you are in.”
Kris
Girls Inc. Volunteer
“I have been involved with Girls Inc. for almost two years. My experience has been great and I wish I had known about it sooner! My father has been raising me as a single parent. He did some research and introduced me to the organization. I was kind of nervous about joining and meeting new people; however, as soon as I participated in my first program, I was made to feel welcome, met great people and have made a lot of new friends.
Being part of Girls Inc. has opened a whole new world for me, I am thinking positive and feeling good about myself and for my future as I set my goals for college and beyond.”
Ta’Aliyah
Girls Inc. Girl
