Since 1912, Girl Scouts has committed to serving as a safe space for girls. All girls, regardless of race, religion, or socioeconomic background, are a part of a sisterhood that not only builds the most powerful of friendships, but also teaches valuable life skills that they'll carry with them forever.
For girls living in homeless shelters, the feeling of friendship, sisterhood, and family haven't always been a reality. Many miss out on opportunities to build memories, share laughs, and set--and reach--goals for their future. Thankfully, the mission of Girl Scouts doesn't discriminate, and Juliette Gordon Low's vision for girls reaches far and wide.
In 1924, Josephine Holloway dreamed of exposing girls at Nashville's Bethlehem Center, a shelter for at-risk women and children, to the powerful program founded in 1912. She believed in the impact Girl Scouts had on the community, and through her hard work and determination, had more than 300 girls in the shelter engaged in Girl Scout-inspired activities by the end of the year. Since then, her legacy has lived on, and girls in shelters across the nation are making the Girl Scout Movement stronger than ever.
Here are just a few who are making our communities better and worlds brighter for girls.
Girl Scouts of Western Washington
In Seattle, Washington, a Girl Scout troop formed at Mary’s Place, a Seattle homeless shelter that helps families get back on their feet. From Daisy to Ambassador, girls from all walks of life gather together to dance, sing, enjoy crafts, and participate in robust Girl Scout programming that allows them to retreat from their sometimes heavy lives. With the support and guidance from their troop leader, Girl Scout alum Tanita Horton, girls are able to set goals, try new things, and have life-changing experiences.
“We call each other family, sisters," said a nine-year-old Girl Scout of her troop. "Miss Tanita is like my stepmom because she’s the one that always gets me to go to Girl Scouts because sometimes I don’t want to go to Girl Scouts. I say thank you to her for making me go to Girl Scouts because it’s really fun.”
Despite life's hardships and uncertainties, one thing's for sure: these girls have found refuge in the friendships they've built and the memories they're continuing to make today. In fact, last September, the troop went on their very first camping trip, a goal nearly a year in the making. From leadership building to lessons on bullying, Girl Scouts at Mary's Place enjoy the safe space where they can learn, grow, and build friendships that'll last a lifetime.
Girl Scouts of Orange County
The troop is aiming to reach a personal best for number of cookies sold this year, with the goal of 1,500 packages, up from last year's 1,200. With their proceeds, they plan to pay for amazing Girl Scout adventures that they wouldn’t have exposure to otherwise. For some younger girls, they're planning an ice skating field trip, while others are excited to enjoy unforgettable experiences at Girl Scouts of Orange County's Camp Scherman.
Girl Scouts of Greater New York
The attention Troop 6000 is receiving is further spreading the message that Girl Scouts truly is for every girl. From the New York Times to The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, the message is coming through loud and clear.
The importance—and the potential implications—of Troop 6000 are evident to the girls, too. In the words of 14-year-old Karina, “We’re starting a chain reaction. Hopefully in the next couple years, there will be more Girl Scout troops in shelters.”
Today, Troop 6000 has expanded to over 15 shelters across all boroughs, resulting in nearly 600 active Girl Scouts across NYC. Together, they're working diligently to set and reach cookie goals for exciting experiences, including attending Girl Scout Camp and enjoying robotics training.