10.31.23 / Category: Impact - Grant Awards

How We Work To Remove Barriers of Education – Volume 2, Episode 3: Girls Inc. of Greater Indianapolis

Without proper education, the ability to empower girls with the knowledge they need to keep themselves healthy and safe is lost. Girls Inc. of Greater Indianapolis believes that all girls deserve an opportunity to pursue their educational dreams. Because of our congruent missions, Girls Inc. has been the recipient of five Circle of Sisterhood grants beginning in 2012.

Check out the latest episode of the Circle of Sisterhood vlog to learn more about the impact Girls Inc. has had in the lives of so many girls throughout the Greater Indianapolis area.

About Girls Inc. of Greater Indianapolis

Like the Circle of Sisterhood – Girls Inc. believes that all girls deserve an opportunity to pursue their educational dreams. Because of our congruent missions, Girls Inc. of Greater Indianapolis was previously the recipient of three Circle of Sisterhood $5,000 grants in 2012, 2013 and 2014. These individual grants were in support of their Smart College and Career Planning program. This program included Lunch Bunch programs where Indianapolis girls could interact with professional women from fields like public health, medicine, computer software, politics, fundraising, and education. These interactions with women mentors helped to encourage the girls to pursue an education and to set big goals for their futures. Each grant supported over 140 hours of programming for girls throughout Indianapolis in support of achieving their dreams.

In 2020, we renewed our support of Girls Inc. of Greater Indianapolis through a $10,000 grant to help fund their Young Women in Leadership (YWIL) program. YWIL is a high-impact, year-long initiative that equips high school girls with the skills and knowledge necessary for their academic and professional success. This comprehensive program enhances their leadership abilities, college readiness, and career development skills and will ensure that 50 Greater Indianapolis 9-12th grade girls are given the chance to develop skills and knowledge critical to their future success. This program is especially critical for girls facing economic hardship and girls of color. Without YWIL, they might not have the opportunity to explore less accessible career paths, prepare for post-secondary education, and effectively work toward high school graduation and career success.

In 2023, CofS continued its support for the YWIL program with another $10,000 grant. Since the grant in 2020, this YWIL program has been expanded to three area high schools, reducing transportation barriers, and making it more accessible to those who need it most. Now, up to one hundred promising yet underserved Indianapolis high school girls are engaging in the program as they strive for academic and professional success through enhanced leadership skills, college readiness, and career development.

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