Girls Incorporated of New Hampshire helps “girls achieve their personal best through one-on-one attention, leadership development, a talented staff and volunteers, a wide range of enrichment programs, and a caring family environment.”
The Girls Incorporated of New Hampshire program is delivered in two ways: at our Girls’ Centers through after-school programs and summer day camps and through enrichment programs provided in schools, during school hours.
Our Manchester Girls’ Center is located at 340 Varney St. and has been serving girls in community for more than 10 years. Our center is licensed by the State of New Hampshire as an Afterschool Child Care Center. We reached Licensed Plus status in the fall of 2009.
Programs are designed to fill the gaps and deliver instruction and guidance that girls might not receive in school or at home. We collect ideas from girls, their parents and their teachers and then tailor the programs for the community in which they are offered. Taught by experienced instructors, the programs are relevant, structured, research-based and can be a valuable resource for local schools.
By participating in programs with peers in their age group, girls develop their own voice, opinions, and leadership skills. Program leaders work with each girl to develop her own unique strengths and show her how to apply that confidence at home with her family, in school with her classmates, or in the community.
Decision-making, assertiveness and communication skills encourage girls to walk away from situations where they may be pressured to use drugs or alcohol. Education and awareness give them the confidence to tell media industry professionals exactly what they like and dislike about programming targeted to girls. Economic education creates informed, thoughtful consumers.
Café Lauren is also located at our Center on Varney Street. Café Lauren serves dinner Monday through Friday to youth and their families at no cost. The need for a dinner program became evident when we found many of our girls were going home at night to no dinner and were telling us they were hungry. We found girls taking extra snacks home to feed their siblings. Café Lauren serves 50-60 youth and their families each night. Volunteers are vital to Café Lauren and we welcome community members to help prepare and serve meals.
How you can help:
Are you a Girls Incorporated alumnus? Have you ever volunteered at or donated to Girls Inc.? Would you recommend others do the same? Please tell us why below!
