The world is in a constant state of innovation and flux, and those changes come with new demands on the future leaders of tomorrow. Whether it’s navigating new technologies or facing evolving complexities, young people will have to tackle a whole new frontier. Girls Inc. of St. Louis is dedicated to offering support for young women to thrive and succeed in school, the workplace and beyond. For more than four decades, the nonprofit has been dedicated to equipping young people aged 5 to 24 with the tools needed to reach their potential through educational, recreational and cultural programs.
“Our mission is to support girls by providing education and cultural programs in a safe environment that allows them to rise to their potential and aspirations,” CEO and president Cheryl Jones notes. “We want to inspire the next generation to be strong, smart and bold.” Girls Inc. begins working with young women in early childhood and continues to offer support with mentorship and scholarships through college. The local chapter serves more than 9,000 girls annually. Its services include after-school and summer STEM-based programming as well as offerings in subjects like wellness, media literacy, leadership, performing arts and athletics and outreach initiatives designed to help girls navigate gender, social and economic barriers.
One of the nonprofit’s major initiatives is Project Accelerate. The program is dedicated to creating future leaders who are capable of navigating emerging workforce gaps in critical areas, including technology and A.I. “Project Accelerate works with young women as they transition from high school into college and the workplace,” Jones explains. “We’re currently seeing big changes in workspaces, and there are even more expected in the next 10 years. We want to change young people’s educational and career trajectory by providing scholarships, mentorship, coaching and social and emotional support to pave new career pathways.”
To make its programming possible, Girls Inc. relies on the support of the community. Its largest annual fundraiser is the Strong, Smart & Bold Luncheon. As well as raising critical support for the nonprofit’s mission, the event offers an important opportunity to spotlight the success of its participants. “Every year, the luncheon is like a family reunion,” Jones says. “People can’t wait to come back and see what we’re doing and how the girls they’ve met have grown and succeeded. It’s an important opportunity for the community to see our impact and meet some of the best and brightest young people in St. Louis.”
This year’s Strong, Smart & Bold Luncheon is Nov. 7 at The Ritz-Carlton, St. Louis. The event is themed around changemakers, and Girls Inc. will be honoring six people for their impact in the community. “We’ve selected six individuals that we believe have invested in and improved St. Louis while inspiring us all to be strong, smart and bold,” Jones notes. “Our goal is to spark inspiration and show young people that they can be changemakers in the future. Girls Inc. helps the next generation solve problems, see sustainable solutions and find new ways to look at neighborhoods, schools and businesses so we can thrive as a community.”
Girls Inc. of St. Louis inspires all girls to be strong, smart and bold by providing educational, recreationaland cultural programs. Its annual Strong, Smart & Bold Luncheon is Nov. 7 at The Ritz-Carlton, St. Louis. Pictured on the cover: President and CEO Cheryl Jones with Girls Inc. participants Logan, Dior, Harper, Lorynn, Reagan, Dominique and Kaleigh.
For more information, call 314.385.8088 or visit girlsincstl.org.
Cover design by Julie Streiler
Cover photo by Tim Parker Photography
Pictured at the top: Girls Inc. Project Accelerate participants
Photo courtesy of Girls Inc. of St. Louis