Girls Inc. of Lakeland

United Way, Publix Charities, Disney, and Rooms To Go Children Fund

Girls Inc. provides a well rounded center based program exclusively for girls in grades K-12. An outreach program focusing on the prevention of teenage pregnancy and physical fitness is also provided to girls in the Lakeland community and surrounding area.

Girls Inc. of Lakeland, formerly, the Girls Club of Lakeland, was founded in January 1971 through grassroots efforts and has been in existence for over 40 years. Thousands of girls have benefited from its after school and summer programs. Girls Inc. of Lakeland is a member of a national organization that is located in New York. There are over 350 Girls Inc. affiliates throughout the United States.

Girls Inc.'s primary focus is on education, character development, and providing a safe and nurturing environment for girls in grades K-12. The agency's mission is to inspire all girls to be strong, smart, and bold and one way this is achieved is by ensuring that girls complete their homework daily, girls below grade level in reading and math are provided individual and group tutoring, and girls are taught the value and importance of being kind, caring, and loving to one another.

Girls Inc. is highly respected by the Polk County School District and both organizations work hand in hand to ensure that each girls is given an opportunity to excel in their academics. In addition, support is bountiful from the local community, the agency's parents, various foundations, and city and county government.

Girls participate in daily programs that emphasize math, science and technology education, pregnancy prevention, media literacy, sports participation, leadership development, adolescent health, economic literacy, substance abuse prevention and anti-violence education.

Girls Inc. provides various programs to girls in grades K-12.  An overview of some of the programs are as follows:

Operation Smart builds girls' skills  and interst in science, math, and tgechnology.  Hands on activites give girls the opportunity to explore, ask questions, and solve problems.

Preventing Adolescent Pregnaqncy is a nation Girls Incorporated program that helps girls identify ways and reasons to avoid early pregnancy.  The programs fosters girls' communication skills, provides basic health education, and encourages girls to plan for the future through four age appropriate components: Growing Together, Will Power/Won't Poqwer, Taking Care of Business, and Health Bridge.

Media Literacy encourages girls to think critically about media messages and fosters their awareness of the scope and power of the media and how it affects girls and women.  Girls gain media literacy skills that enhance their ability to critically examine and advocate for change in enertainment, news, and advertising media.

Circle J Camp - Victory Assembly of God in Lakeland, Florida sponsors this camp for youth in our community. This one week half-day camp is held in June and is a fun experience for girls in grades 1st-5th.  The church provides transportation, breakfast, and lunch.

Economic Literacy - This national Girls Inc. program introduces girls as young as five to basic financial concepts,  including money managment and investment.  The program explores how money affects us locally and globally as it fosters development of the skills needed to be financiallyh self-sufficient.