Girls Inc.’s mission is simple; they are inspiring all girls to be strong, smart, and bold. Working with 70+ affiliates nationwide, the organization’s programming focuses on the development of the whole girl through a combination of long-lasting mentoring relationships, a pro-girl environment, and research-based programming. This approach equips girls to lead fulfilling and productive lives, breaking the cycle of poverty, and becoming role models in their community.
Girls Inc. of Greater Santa Barbara (GIGSB) is one of those affiliates, and operates with a goal of empowering girls – ages 5 to 18 – to be healthy, educated, independent, and to advocate for themselves and their futures – all of which is achieved through the lens of diversity, equity, and inclusion, which impacts every aspect of the Girls Inc. organization. To further their mission and increase their impact, GIGSB has established a two-year strategic direction.
Keeping a laser-focused vision on benefitting girls, GIGSB established six goals to guide this strategic direction. Within the ongoing process of providing affordable, evidence-based programming, the goals continue to support girls in the form of elementary after-school programs (K–6) and teen programs (grades 7–12) to girls within the communities it serves, including those who identify as girls regardless of their assigned sex at birth. Their commitment to those goals will ensure that their organizational and program foundation is stable, strong, and poised to serve the mission in greater ways than ever before.
Girls Inc. of Greater Santa Barbara CEO, Jen Faust, said that it became clear with families reaching out for help during COVID that the entire community needed to come together to support the rights of girls.
All six strategic goals work together:
Goal 1: Awareness of brand identity and the programs GIGSB provides and the target age groups it serves
Goal 2: Infrastructure of structurally sound and up-to-date facilities to house its programming
Goal 3: Accessible programming for the girls it serves and relevant to its target population
Goal 4: Staff and leadership development with knowledge of girls’ wants, needs, and obstacles to reinforce GIGSB’s brand identity and advocacy efforts
Goal 5: Engagement with the network of community partners, supporters, alumni and volunteers
Goal 6: Advocacy with an adaptable plan to advance priorities in support of its mission.
Check out the details in the strategic plan including the demographics of the Santa Barbara and Goleta school districts, methodology and supporting research, and how this plan will adapt to support future needs.
Jen is extremely excited about the direction and possible outcome for of this new plan. She said, “Girls Inc. here in Santa Barbara is getting ready for an epic 2023 year. Not only do our facilitators remain committed to evidence-based programming that equips girls with the knowledge and skills to become leaders who will change the world, we have big plans to engage you. We are inviting our community to take part in our mission. You can help our girls and teens by joining our membership community when that program launches. More immediately, you can help teens of Greater Santa Barbara by signing up your company to host a teen on site this summer and be part of the mentorship experience.”
“Girls Inc. programming like this sets girls up for life-long success,” she added. “Girls lead change in their lives and in the world. Invest in girls. Invest in our future.”
This new strategic direction will enhance the GIGSB mission and allow more flexibility with program delivery. To learn more about their plans and ways you can help them prepare girls for the future go to https://girlsincsb.org.