#GirlsToo Initiative Lifts Girls Inc. to New Heights

Girls Inc. of the Pacific Northwest Girls Council

Portland, OR. (Sponsored) It’s been a banner year for Girls Inc. The nonprofit launched programming in Seattle (after launching last year in SW Washington) and now covers much of the major metro areas in the Pacific Northwest. Girls Inc. has served nearly 3,000 girls by providing them with the holistic Girls Inc. experience, which shows them how to lead, how to thrive, and how to change the world.

Girls Inc. also launched its national #GirlsToo: Respect Starts Young campaign, to focus on girls’ experiences of sexual harassment and violence. You can support the organization by clicking here: DONATE NOW! You can also sign the #GirlsToo pledge at girlstoo.girlsinc.org.

This testimonial about the program demonstrates the power of Girls Inc. Emily and her sister Jocelyn shared their journey in a new film.

From Emily (and Jocelyn):

When I started going to Girls Inc. in 5th grade, I was so nervous I decided to bring my older sister with me. Jocelyn has always helped me find my voice, and because of Girls Inc.’s Produced By Her program last year, we were both able to find our voice more than ever before.

When we were young, we both experienced sexual violence. We had a story to tell, but didn’t know how to talk about what had happened to us. We didn’t grow up understanding that #GirlsToo experience sexual violence.

I wasn’t sure if I was strong enough to keep going. I wasn’t sure what healing from sexual violence was supposed to look like, and I was afraid that I might not be able to have a successful future because of the trauma I had experienced.

While making our film, I talked to survivors of sexual violence who a owned their own businesses or were doctors or lawyers. I started to envision a future for myself where I could be anything.

Because of the support of people like you who help make Girls Inc. programming possible, we are able to tell our story without fear. Now, I see a bright future for myself as an architect. Girls Inc. helped me learn to feel powerful, become stronger, and more free; that wouldn’t be possible without you.

That’s why I’m asking you to donate to Girls Inc. before the end of this year. I want girls throughout the Pacific Northwest to be able to become stronger and dream of a bigger future. You can inspire girls to be strong, smart, and bold like Girls Inc. inspired me.

With you in our corner, we will thrive. Love, Emily (and Jocelyn)

You can ensure every single one of the 3,000 girls we serve are respected and valued, and can be the leaders we need. With you in their corner, everything is possible. You can support the organization by clicking here: DONATE NOW!

About Girls Inc.

Girls Inc. of the Pacific Northwest inspires all girls to be strong, smart, and bold. We make an impact in the communities we serve by equipping girls with the skills and confidence to access a bright and economically-independent future. By focusing on the whole girl from ages 6-18, we provide life-changing after school programs and experiences that help girls grow up to be healthy, educated, and independent. Our trained volunteer leaders, research-based curricula, and pro-girl environment provide girls with the tools, confidence, and support to realize their own power.

Elisa Klein

I’ve been a professional journalist and writer since 1987, (and long-time reporter for KOIN-TV.) As a nationally published reporter, with a Master’s Degree in Journalism, I love to report positive news and information. Journalism has also connected me with another non-profit where I served as a leader; the Northwest’s biggest writer’s organization: The Willamette Writers.