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Girls Inc. announces staffing changes
(June 2010) There are two staffing changes at Girls Inc.
Lucy Berger, immediate past program director at Girls Inc., has been named director of operations for the agency.
And Erin Policinski joins Girls Inc. as the program director after seven years of working as the outdoor program and property manager at
Girl Scouts of Tulip Trace Council.
Berger is taking over for Rachel Dotson, who is doing full-time graduate coursework. Berger has been with Girls Inc. for seven years, and says
she is looking forward to the new challenges her role will bring.
Berger will run the organized sports leagues. Contact her at 336-7313 or lberger<at>monroe.girls-inc.org.
Policinski, who has a master’s degree in recreation and park administration from Indiana University, grew up going to YMCA summer camps and
working at YMCA and Girl Scout summer camps throughout the Midwest.
She has experience facilitating adventure education with The Adventure Center, and has been an accreditation standards visitor and trainer for
the American Camp Association since 2006.
Policinski will be planning, coordinating, and evaluating the after-school programs and day camps. Contact her at 336-7313 or
epolicinski<at>monroe.girls-inc.org.
Copyright: HeraldTimesOnline.com 2010
GIRLS INCORPORATED SELECTS A NATIONAL SCHOLARSHIP WINNER FROM MONROE COUNTY
Veronica Fosha
(March 2010) Girls Incorporated National has recently selected Veronica Fosha, senior at South High School and active participant at Girls Incorporated of Monroe County, to receive a college scholarship in the amount of $15,000. Twenty-two scholarships (10 @ $15,000 and 12 @ $2500) were awarded from 67 applicants from around the country.
Veronica has been participating in Girls Inc. programs since she was eight years old. With her scholarship, Veronica will attend Ivy Tech and then plans to transfer to Indiana University. She plans to major in criminal justice with a minor in psychology, and has a career goal to become a police officer.
In her essay, Veronica wrote, "A couple of weeks ago, I was asked to speak to the Girls Inc. board of directors about my goals, plans for college, experience, and suggestions to make Girls Inc. a better place. As I prepared for my presentation, I began thinking about my first time at Girls Inc. as a rebellious, ornery 8 year old. I realized what Girls Inc. had taught me over these last years, and how much I've matured.
"Through Girls Inc., I've learned valuable lessons and gained skills that I will use in real world settings. Girls Inc. provided structure and classes designed to help me learn about money, leadership, and values. Sports programs allowed me to exert bottled up energy through basketball, softball, kickball and soccer. Art gave me the opportunity to express myself through creative activities.
"As a result of playing basketball at Girls Inc., I've learned team work and leadership skills. Now I am coaching Upward basketball at my church. I wanted to share my love of basketball with younger girls, and teach them the values that Girls Inc. taught me over the years. Through summer camp at Girls Inc., we volunteered different places within the community: Pages to Prisoners, Community Kitchen, and Hoosier Hills Food Bank. Girls Inc. has provided me with a way to socialize and meet new friends through the experiences I have had. I have learned to be patient and caring, and that not everyone has the same set of values and experiences that I have. The staff at Girls Inc. is always warm and kind, and I feel comfortable talking to them if I need guidance or am having a problem.
"The Girls Bill of Rights says that "All girls have the right to take risks, to strive freely, and to take pride in success." I want to be able to take risks and make mistakes along the way. I know that no one is perfect, and that everybody falls down once in awhile. The important thing is to always pick yourself up and keep pursuing your dreams. I plan on being successful and never losing sight of what I want. I know if I work hard and have faith in myself, I can be anything I want to be and nothing can stand in my way."
The Lucile Miller Wright Girls Incorporated Scholarship was first awarded in 1993. Since that time, 413 teens have received over $4.67 million in scholarship funds. The scholarship is the largest private scholarship program specifically for female teens going onto a college of their choice.
The applications are reviewed by a panel of youth professionals in Indianapolis - not connected to Girls Inc. The applications are evaluated based on the "overall" teen represented in her replies to the application questions. The judges are generally looking for a "well-rounded" young woman who has benefited from her experience with Girls Inc. They also select scholars who will represent the organization well upon receiving the award and continuing their education past high school.
"Veronica is intelligent, strong, mature and fun. She is sure to succeed in her studies and beyond. I am so pleased that Girls Incorporated could help her to pursue higher education," states Lee Ann Jourdan, executive director of Girls Incorporated of Monroe County. "We congratulate Veronica, and wish her success in the future. We are so proud of the young woman that she has become. Our role in this community is to help girls make positive choices in their lives. Veronica is an excellent example of our mission at work!"
Girls Inc. has been in Bloomington for 35 years inspiring all girls to be strong, smart and bold.
2009 Girls Inc. Girl of the Year
Mayor Mark Kruzan, Daryl C., and her dad, Darren
Girls Incorporated is dedicated to awarding members with the Girl of the Month and Girl of the Year title
and plaque. Each month a Girls Incorporated member is selected by the staff to be honored as Girl of the Month based on the following:
- Participation and classes and activities
- Possessing a helpful and friendly attitude
- Being a role model for other members through leadership, enthusiasm and cooperation
- Showing respect and being polite to club members, visitors and staff
Members who display these qualifications throughout the entire year are then eligible for the Girl of the Year award. This year, Girls
Inc. has selected Daryl C. to be Girl of the Year, 2009.
Daryl is a strong role model for members, volunteers, and staff. She keeps a positive attitude when interacting with people in
the building and has a great sense of fun. We feel fortunate that she participates in after-school programming with the other members.
Daryl is a creative individual who is always looking for a new and exciting way to get things done. She continues to inspire all other girls to
become strong, smart, and bold. Daryl is dedicated to helping the mission and everyday processes of Girls Incorporated. She has been a joy to
have in the center and continues to provide inspiration to other members.
Congratulations to you, Daryl!
Girl of the Month winners for 2009 include Kaitlin D., Mora B., Brea S., Chloe P., Amane B-S., Abby M., Emma G-P., Joelle J., Bailey F.,
Zawadi K., and Alexa C. Congratulations!
First Lady Michelle Obama to Serve as National Honorary Chair
of Girls Incorporated Board of Directors
NEW YORK, NY (March 24, 2010) - Girls Incorporated National, the nonprofit organization that inspires all girls to be strong, smart, and boldSM and the oldest girl-centered organization in the United States, is delighted to announce that First Lady Michelle Obama has agreed to serve as the organization's Honorary Board Chair.
In this role, Mrs. Obama will lend her support to the ongoing work of Girls Inc., particularly around creating opportunities and resources for girls to learn and grow, to navigate the unique challenges they face growing up, and to discover their potential as leaders with the courage and vision to change the world.
In her short tenure as First Lady, Mrs. Obama has demonstrated her ability to speak to our nation's challenges with sensitivity and depth. Her new campaign on childhood obesity, Let's Move!, will improve the wellbeing of girls, and will complement and bolster efforts to empower girls in creating a healthy society.
"It is crucial to provide girls with the resources and role models to encourage them to share their voices, dream big, and envision themselves as tomorrow's leaders," said Joyce M. Roché, President & Chief Executive Officer of Girls Inc. "Mrs. Obama has achieved at the highest levels of education and law and demonstrates a heartfelt commitment to ensuring that all of our nation's children have the opportunity to realize their full potential. We greatly look forward to the honor of working with her on issues that affect girls, their families, and their communities."
"Exposing our young people to new ideas, introducing them to the larger world beyond their own life experiences, and inspiring them to become the leaders of tomorrow is of paramount importance and I am pleased to serve as Honorary Board Chair of Girls Inc.," said First Lady Michelle Obama.
Mrs. Obama is the tenth First Lady to serve in this role since 1953, when First Lady Mamie Eisenhower became the first Honorary Board Chair of Girls Inc.
2009 Woman and Man of the Year
For nearly 20 years, Girls Incorporated of Monroe County has been celebrating an outstanding woman and man
of our community. It is the members of Girls Inc. who determined the qualities deserving of these awards. Each recipient should be "kind,
nice, and helpful; be an advocate for girls; and stand up for what he or she believes in." This year, Girls Inc. has two recipients who exemplify
these qualities: Lara Weaver and Father Charlie DuPree.
Lara Weaver is a woman who demonstrates the values of strong, smart, and bold female leadership in our
community. She serves as a Victim's Assistant for the Monroe County Prosecutor's Office. She advocates on behalf of women and their children who
have been the victims of domestic violence.
Her nominator said, "Her deep levels of patience, empathy, straight-forwardness and determination provide victims with untold support as they peel
through the difficult layers of their experiences. Lara is a tireless advocate for girls, young women and all women in the community. She has also
worked for Middle Way House and Templeton Elementary, and has always dedicated herself to educating girls and women in our community, and
providing them with the resources necessary to become self-determined, healthy, safe and independent.
"She fiercely believes in the ability of all girls and women to succeed in life, and she has put herself both professionally and personally on the front
lines to share this message throughout the community. She models healthy decisions and a connection to what is most important both for herself
and for the world around her. She inspires everyone whom she meets through her calm demeanor, her open-mindedness, her extraordinary
listening skills, and her ability to see to the heart of the matter in order to recognize humanity within everyone."
The 2009 Man of the Year was awarded to a man who is an extraordinary addition to our community. Father DuPree is Senior Pastor of Trinity
Episcopal Church and has put himself at the center of social justice issues in the community. He has a belief in creating opportunity for ALL people
to be strong, smart, and bold.
His nominator said of him, "He is a stalwart feminist, and believes in growing equality for all people who have experienced injustice or inequality,
including women and girls. He truly believes in inclusive community. Father DuPree has spearheaded the effort to create a low-barrier homeless
shelter for the winter months. In doing so, he is creating opportunities for families experiencing homelessness to remain intact. This is essential in
the support of women and children who are in the depths of poverty.
"He has also created an art gallery in his church, and allows classroom space for upcoming projects. Every piece of work that he does, and in all of
the ways that he models social justice and inclusivity, he truly is advocating for girls because he is working to create a more just, equitable, and
inspiring community for the next generation of young people."
We at Girls Inc. are eternally grateful for Lara and Father DuPree for their ongoing support.
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