2020-2021 Annual Report

Dear Friends,

Pam Daly Victoria Waterman On behalf of Girls Inc. of Worcester’s Board of Directors and Staff, thank YOU! With your help, 2020-2021 has been a year of rebuilding, renewal, and reconnection.

In a year where we saw the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Girls Inc. of Worcester has safely and effectively pushed the boundaries of what was previously possible.  We engaged new volunteers and community partners, established new programs, and most importantly did not have to close our doors even once. 

As we move into this new normal, we want to take the time to celebrate some of the successes that this past year has brought us:

• Serving our girls and their needs: Served girls in our Learning Hub and summer camp. The Eureka! program continued going forward with virtual and in-person higher-ed and externships. During the career and college shower, every girl received a laptop. 
• Made our programs more accessible to all girls: Launched a simple, self-determined financial aid process to enable all girls to access our award-winning programs. Significantly lowered the cost of fee-based programs and increased the number of free programs. 
• Expanded STEM access: Launched Eureka! JV, a one-year program for 6th and 7th graders to learn about STEM fields. Put our new Saint-Gobain Technology Center to good use - using 3D printers, virtual reality headsets, drones, and much more!
• Moved forward our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion goals: Implemented a self-selecting financial aid process to reduce barriers to access. Engaged in ongoing, leadership-level DEI training and strategic planning.

With your help, Girls Inc. of Worcester is ready to make 2022 a year to remember. In October 2021, our Board of Directors unveiled our new 2021-2024 Strategic Direction. Here are a few examples of we plan to accomplish these goals:

• Expand to new communities: We are thrilled to announce that we are bringing our signature Eureka! program to MetroWest in the Spring of 2022! Staff are also expanding our community-based programs to new sites and new groups of girls in Central MA.
• Pandemic-proof our future: We are investing in technology and infrastructure to maintain our capacity to implement high-quality programs in-person, virtually, or in a hybrid setting.
• Make Girls Inc. the #1 place to be: Board and Staff are committed to creating a diverse, equitable, and inclusive culture for girls, volunteers, and staff.
• Committed to making Capital Improvements at Camp Kinneywood: We want Camp to be fun, inspiring, and accessible for all. Stay tuned for more details about how you can support our camp renovations in 2022!

None of this work would be possible without our dedicated Board of Directors, staff, volunteers, and community supporters. Our thanks to each of you who has played a role in making a difference in the lives of girls and the community.  

Pam & Victoria