Girls Inc. begins fundraising campaign at Hall of Fame

Date: 4/21/2009

By G. Michael Dobbs

Managing Editor



SPRINGFIELD -- Girls Inc. of Holyoke kicked off its new fundraising effort on Thursday with a breakfast at the Basketball Hall of Fame that introduced potential donors to some of the people their contributions would help: many of young women who attend the Girls Inc. programs.

From groups of girls welcoming the participants at the door to girls reading letters about themselves to a short film about Girls Inc. made by students at Bay Path College, audience members got to know the recipients of their contributions in a direct and personal manner.

The goal this year is to raise $100,000, which is less than in previous years, Director of Marketing and Public Relations Janna Chapdelaine told Reminder Publications. The reason is that in previous campaigns, donors have made multiple year commitments, she explained.

The Holyoke Girls Inc. program serves 1,900 girls between the ages of five and 18 in two locations with afterschool programs in science and math, athletics, health and life skills and the arts. Some Chicopee girls also participate in the program, Chapdelaine added.

The organization's slogan is "inspiring all girls to be smart, strong and bold."

Girls Inc. Executive Director Suzanne Parker said at the breakfast the local organization has undergone "a complete financial turnaround." She recalled that on her first day as executive director in 2006 she received a phone call in which she was told the organization couldn't meet its payroll.

"As long as we were dealing with a financial crisis, we couldn't take care of the girls," she said.

Although the organization's finances have been stabilized, there are still challenges in upgrading facilities and funding programs.

Parker said at the breakfast the girls who participate in the programs are outperforming the statistics on teen pregnancy and college attendance. One Girls Inc. alumni, Veronica Colon, spoke proudly about being the first from her family to graduate from college.

Chapdelaine said there is an increase in demand for the Girls Inc. programs.

"So many girls don't have someone to talk to or have programs like this," she said.

There are fees to participate in the programs that are determined by sliding scale, she added.

To learn more about Girls Inc. and its campaign, contact Chapdelaine at 532-6247 ext. 104.