Girls Incorporated of Southwestern Connecticut is proud to launch their new program, Growth Through Transformation, in three Bridgeport public high schools starting on January 11, 2010. The program is designed to stimulate supportive learning and career awareness. The Girls Inc. Growth Through Transformation program was developed to encourage high school girls ages 15-18 to explore work and career options, interact with professionals, and experience work study in fields based on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) disciplines. The program is an extension of Girls Inc.'s Operation SMART(r) (Science, Math, and Relevant Technology) which are after-school programs for younger girls that have been in place for the past 21 years. Growth Through Transformation's weekly after-school experiential learning sessions start this month, and paid work study starts July 2010.
Girls Inc. of Southwestern Connecticut, CEO Adrienne Wallace-Hayward stated "We at Girls Inc. of Southwestern Connecticut are looking to make sure that we leverage all opportunities to make the future more certain for girls. This Growth Through Transformation - STEM program is real empowerment for high school girls. When we consider where work opportunities are now and in
the future, this is us not operating Girls Inc. as a cause, but instead as a necessity for girls. Imagine learning about a new field of opportunity for your future every week and then having a summer where you receive a stipend to learn even more. The opportunity to work with Bridgeport's high school girls, determined educators like Superintendents Dr. John Ramos and Ms. Denise Clemons, and local Fairfield County employers in Allied Health is very exciting! We expect to have a story and results worthy of national recognition with Growth Through Transformation"
Dr. James Flint, the Chair for Girls Inc. STEM Programming, states "we know that with the right support and guidance, girls can bring their intelligence and humanity to these professions for the betterment of us all."
Girls Incorporated is one of the founders of the Coalition for Science After School. Together they are working to compile a new national directory of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) learning opportunities. Wallace-Hayward states "We believe that this is a great opportunity to promote the work that we do to engage girls in STEM."
The program is being offered without cost to participating girls ages 15-18 at Bassick, Central, and Warren Harding High Schools, thanks to support from The WorkPlace, Inc. and the JPMorgan Chase Foundation.
For more information about Growth Through Transformation, please contact Danielle Gleason, Girls Inc. STEM Facilitation Leader, at 203-756-4639 or via email DGleason@girlsincswct.org.
Girls Incorporated is a national non-profit organization that inspires all girls to be strong, smart and bold. The organization's roots date back to 1864 with the Southwestern Connecticut lead office in Waterbury, CT being the original building where it all began. Girls Inc. of Southwestern Connecticut offers services from lower and mid Fairfield County to the Greater Waterbury area and provides vital educational and social programs to girls. Girls Inc.'s, innovative programs help girls confront subtle societal messages about their value and potential, and prepare them to lead successful, independent, and fulfilling lives. The organization's mission is to inspire all girls to be strong, smart and bold.
The WorkPlace, Inc., Southwestern Connecticut's Regional Workforce Development Board, helps people prepare for careers and strengthens the workforce for employers in Southwestern Connecticut. Its mission is to develop a well-educated, well-trained and self-sufficient workforce that can compete in the changing global marketplace.
The Coalition for Science After School envisions the day when young people from all backgrounds have access to high quality science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) learning experiences during out of school hours. The Coalition is a strategic alliance among individuals and organizations from STEM education, youth development, and out-of-school time programs. The Coalition's mission is to coordinate and mobilize community stakeholders to strengthen and expand opportunities for young people to do and learn science in after-school settings.
