2012

Building on Hope Announces
$250,000 Renovation Project for Girls Inc.

Volunteer organization seeks community support to renovate Girls Inc. Facility in Manchester

Manchester, NH - The spirit of community barn-raisings dating back to the earliest New Hampshire settlers lives on as Building on Hope announced an effort to undertake nearly $250,000 in renovations to Girls Inc.'s Manchester, NH facility today. Building on Hope is a community initiative of volunteers who work with builders, architects, designers and suppliers to provide physical improvements to facilities associated with non-profit service groups. Continue to read this article here:

Fall 2011

Women of Achievement Awards Brunch

Sunday, October 23 11am - 2pm at the Derryfield Country Club

We would be honored if you would join us as we announce the 2011 Women of Achievement Honorees

Enjoy a relaxing Sunday brunch with friends and have a lot of fun bidding on great gift baskets at our Silent Auction Raffle.

The event is by invitation and for women only! Admission is $20 and includes a full Sunday brunch.

Invitations are being sent to Women of Achievement, such as yourself, and we encourage you to invite your women friends, family members and co-workers.

Summer 2010

Career fair teaches girls that opportunites await them

The scene looked like a young girl’s birthday party: Miley Cyrus blasting in the background, a table of cupcakes, a clown folding balloons into butterflies and bees, and girls dancing, jumping rope or giggling with their friends.

But these girls weren’t celebrating, they were learning.

As part of the career-themed week at Girls Inc. of Nashua, a large group of girls aged 10-13 from Nashua, Concord and Manchester gathered for the program’s first career fair to learn about job opportunities and ask questions about their future.

“The main thing is to expose them to all different careers and show them that they can do whatever they want,” said Nicole Power, director of the Girls Inc., program in Nashua.

The event featured nine businesses, including the Nashua police and fire departments, WalMart, UPS, the New Hampshire College and University Council, Jake’s Old Fashioned Ice Cream, Dynamic Strength and Conditioning, JitterJam Social Marketing, and even an area clown.

Cathy Duffy Cullity, CEO of Girls Inc. of New Hampshire, said the clown was “mostly for fun,” but added that a clown in New York can earn up to $10,000 per event. Still, she said, the fair was about opening young girls’ minds and showing them that the careers they search for should be rewarding in more ways than money.

“The goal of the day is to have the girls see the opportunities in front of them,” she said. “It’s not always about money, but about joy and finding a job you can be passionate about.”

Duffy Cullity started Girls Inc. in Nashua for girls aged 5-18 and expanded it across the state. Now, it serves more than 8,000 girls – the most of any of the 85 Girls Inc. affiliates across the country.

The career fair was another way the program stepped into new territory.

“You don’t see this happening at many other girls’ camps,” said Makiesha Ollison , a staff member at Girls Inc. “To do this says something about our character.”

Ollison, 18, of Nashua, is a staff member at Girls Inc. this summer and will attend Boston University in the fall. She said the chance to work with these girls “brightens her day” and the career fair was no exception.

In groups of about 10, the girls moved from table to table to learn what it was like to be a police officer or firefighter, learn how to include fitness in their careers, and why it’s important to go to college and pursue higher education.

“It’s all about exposure,” said Kelly Hurtado, regional director at Girls Inc. of Manchester. “It’s another way of introducing ideas to the girls.”

Ric Pratte, president and CEO of JitterJam, spoke to the girls about his company and how they create software for people to use with social media. It might not be the most interesting thing to young girls, but he said the point of the event is to offer up everything and see where the girls’ interests land.

“Kids come up with the funniest preconceived things,” he said. “So just to expand their options is great.”

He said he had to change his usual speech to job-seekers, though, given the audience.

“I usually deal with programmers, not 14-year-old girls,” he said, laughing. “I’m thinking of using Facebook (to keep their attention), since we use it, too.”

Roni Vetter, owner of Jake’s Old Fashioned Ice Cream in Amherst, demonstrated how to decorate cupcakes and helped the girls make their own with different frosting techniques.

“I wanted to do something hands-on for the girls,” she said.

Still, her station was not just about frosting and eating cupcakes, despite the girls’ enthusiasm for the treats.

“Women are breaking out more into the (culinary) industry,” she said. “It’s a hard industry to be a part of, but if you’re a strong person you can do it.”

While some of the girls seemed more interested in the free candy or cupcakes, their hands often popped up when business volunteers asked for questions about their job. Duffy Cullity said even at this young age, it’s important for girls to start learning about the opportunities in front of them.

“The career fair is a real push to educate our girls, get out of the traditional jobs for women,” Duffy Cullity said, “and show them that they can do anything.”

Cameron Kittle can be reached at 594-6523 or ckittle@nashuatelegraph.com.

Our summer carnival was held the last week
of Summer Camp! A bounce house, cotton candy,
face painting, sand art, etc.... So much fun!

The older girl group in Manchester had a fantastic time on the ropes course! Way to go girls!

In Concord, girls kept cool playing in the sprinkler, taking trips to the pool, enjoying a water balloon toss AND an ice cream social!  One very shy 11 year-old girl at our Nashua camp has already made 5 new friends, has a new sense of self confidence and has even come up with ideas for activities that she would like to do with her group.  She told her mom "I love summer camp and I even made friends too" -  her mom was very excited to see her daughter make such huge steps in the first week of camp.  Valeria was chosen for the camper of the week, which has just about made her whole summer!  

 Manchester campers had a very busy first week with a highly successful talent show - that included a group who sang and acted out summer songs with several costume changes according to the songs, another group did a rap song and dressed in big baggy boy pants and baseball hats and were very comical. We had violin players, singers, and dancers - and  we had several acts with hula-hoops!   

The girls in Rochester had a great trip to the beach!

Valentiens Day and Winter Fun

One of our generous donors has a Valentine's Day tradition of bringing a flower to each girl in our program.  You should see the smiles on their faces when they are given their "rose."   If it makes them so happy, I figure it will have the same effect on my employees. 

The cold winter days brought nothing but fun and new opportunities to our girls.  The Manchester girls enjoyed a day of sledding at McIntyre Ski area and, in Concord, ice skating at White Park has been the rage.  

If you drove by Nashua or Rochester last winter, you just might have seen some "Snow ladies" in front of our buildings!

Citizens Bank and WMUR-TV provided $25,000 grant, PR and volunteer support

MANCHESTER, N.H. January 2009 – Citizens Bank New Hampshire and WMUR-TV have named Girls Incorporated of New Hampshire as their 2009 first quarter Champion in Action®in the area of youth programming. As part of the award, Girls Incorporated of New Hampshire will receive a $25,000 grant, media coverage, and extensive promotional and volunteer support for its commitment to inspiring girls throughout New Hampshire to achieve their personal best.

Sherri Nannis, WMUR-TV, Catherine Duffy Culllity, CEO, Girls Inc. of New Hampshire, Cathleen A. Schmidt, President, Citizens Bank, New Hampshire.

“Citizens Bank is pleased to join WMUR-TV in naming Girls Incorporated of New Hampshire as the newest Champion in Action,” said Cathleen A. Schmidt, President, Citizens Bank, New Hampshire. “By providing financial, marketing, and volunteer support, we can assist this Champion in advancing its programs and services. Girls Incorporated of New Hampshire provides girls with the resources they need to thrive in all aspects of their lives as they transition into adulthood. We congratulate the organization’s efforts, and we are proud to contribute to its success.”  

The Champions in Action program is designed to recognize and support nonprofit organizations for their contributions to New Hampshire communities. A new Champion in Action is selected each quarter among a range of social service areas.

“Sharing in this initiative with Citizens Bank continues to be a source of great pride," said Jeff Bartlett, General Manager of WMUR-TV. “We are very pleased to help out organizations across the state that demonstrate such a strong commitment to making a difference in the lives of so many New Hampshire residents. They truly are champions.”
 
Girls Incorporated of New Hampshire began in 1974 as a small club in Nashua. Today, the organization serves more than 8,000 girls each year, enabling them to gain a strong sense of community and belonging. Dedicated to developing girls’ confidence, intelligence, and leadership abilities, the organization offers enrichment and prevention programming in schools and during out-of-school hours at its four regional Girls’ Centers in Nashua, Manchester, Concord and Rochester.


Back Row: L to R - Nicole Power, Nashua Regional Dir., Graham Griffin, Seacoast Regional Dir., Jennifer Indeglia, COO, Sherri Nannis, WMUR-TV, Catherine Duffy Cullity, CEO, Cathleen Schmidt, Pres., Citizens Bank
Front Row: L to R - Kelly Hurtado, Manchester Regional Dir., Katie Andrews, VP Finance, Christine Mathieu, VP Human Resources, Pat Barss, VP Volunteer Recruitment and Events, Katie Manson, Concord Regional Dir,,Sue Dupont, VP Development and Communications.

Striving to meet the basic needs of the community, Girls Inc. offers working families a safe, secure place to send their daughters, the expertise they need to help combat issues such as bullying and sexual harassment, and a supportive environment where they become involved in exciting, hands-on enrichment programs including Girls Under the Hood (auto mechanics), Materials Girls (power tools) and Build IT (website design).

Named a model for growth from its national organization, Girls Inc. of New Hampshire has also been recognized for offering a safe environment with year-round researched-based programs just for girls, arming them with the skills and confidence they need to succeed.

 As a Champion in Action, Girls Incorporated of New Hampshire will receive:

• A $25,000 contribution in unrestricted funds from the Citizens Bank Foundation.
• Media coverage from WMUR-TV, including public service announcements and television profiles.
• Volunteer support from Citizens and WMUR-TV employees.
• Extensive public relations support.
• Promotional support, highlighting the current “Champion in Action” in all Citizens Bank branches and on its ATMs.
• Exposure on both Citizens Bank and WMUR-TV Web sites.

“We are honored to be recognized by Citizens Bank and WMUR as a Champion in Action,” said Catherine Duffy Cullity, Chief Executive Officer of Girls Inc. New Hampshire. “This award will enable Girls Inc. to continue to not only expand its quality programs to reach more girls, but also to increase the organization’s visibility as we address the critical needs affecting girls in our communities. Additionally, we are confident this award will help us increase our financial resources to sustain and grow our programs and services well into the future and to provide our girls with a support system of positive role models.”

Dunkin’ Donuts Genie in a Mug Three Wishes Holiday Program

December 2008: John Motta and The Motta Family Dunkin Donuts Franchise started this holiday tradition in 2005. John is a member of the Girls Inc. of New Hampshire  board of directors and wanted to help the children enrolled at our centers by granting them wishes at the holidays. He chose to name the program “Genie in a Mug” (a Dunkin Donuts mug, no doubt!) with an original intent to fulfill the wishes of three girls from the 250  submitted from  all 4 Girls’ Centers. When John and his family read the wishes the first year, they decided to fulfill as many as they could. The wishes that come in from the girls are always very thoughtful. They rarely ask for toys or gifts for themselves, but rather they ask for things that will help their parents and siblings – or ways that they might re-connect with an absent parent.

The girls’ wishes have included such things as: to meet a father for the first time, many requests for food for their families, furniture such as a child’s bed or a dining table where there was none, repairs to the family car, winter clothing, heat for their apartments, appliances and diapers and formula for the baby.

John and his family read through every wish together each year over the Thanksgiving holiday and together they choose which ones to grant. This year the Motta family granted 20 children’s wishes and provided such things as the following:

• Clothing for two younger brothers and a gift card to the grocery store
• Diapers and formula for her baby brother
• Books to read
• $50 grocery store gift card a week for a year
• A new microwave
• Donation to the Susan G Komen foundation in honor of a grandmother’s fight against breast cancer
• Blankets, sheets, comforters and a gift card for groceries
• $200 towards a family’s utility bill
• Hats, mittens, boots for three sisters
• “Clothes that fit” for one girl and her sister
• Art supplies including paper, markers, pencils
• Pillows, blankets, and new shoes

The wishes are granted at a festive pre-Christmas brunch at a local restaurant, provided by the Motta family, and attended by the girls whose wishes are being granted along with their families. Girls Inc. staff and board members and their children also attend.  John and Maria Motta and their entire family – including married children and grandchildren attend and share in the joy of the day. John is a fitting MC for the event and always says it is his favorite day of the year. Santa Claus makes an annual appearance and delivers the gifts to the children. more...

Women of Achievement honored at 4th annual brunch

Girls Incorporated of New Hampshire bestows honors

Manchester, NH October 29, 2008: Nearly 200 women attended the 4th Annual Girls Incorporated of New Hampshire 2008 Women of Achievement Awards Brunch held at The Derryfield in Manchester on Sunday, October 26, 2008. The women had all come to honor the 2008 winners and to share in the fun of brunch with friends and the chance to win one of the man donated raffle baskets. A Woman of Achievement – or WOA – as the staff at Girls Inc. of New Hampshire refers to her, is a woman who achieves her personal best – whatever that may be. The theme ties in with the tagline of Girls Inc. of New Hampshire – where girls achieve their personal best. The event seeks to not only honor the women who are receiving awards that day, but also to honor the women who are invited as guests with a day of fun and camaraderie. "It is important for women to be celebrated and recognized for who they are, as much as for what they've accomplished and for them to realize how important it is that they mentor today's girls to achieve their personal best, whatever their avocation," said Cathy Duffy, CEO of Girls Incorporated of New Hampshire. "We are fortunate to have four wonderful women to honor this year who exemplify this theme," stated Ms. Duffy.

The event was made possible by sponsorships from the Motta Family Dunkin Donuts franchise, the Andrade Family Dunkin Donuts franchise, St. Mary's Bank, Dartmouth Hitchcock Manchester, WalMart, Cross Insurance, Sam's Club, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield of NH, Merchants Motors, Comcast, Polaris Direct and Interface Financial Group.

Girls Incorporated of New Hampshire 2008 Women of Achievement Honorees.

From left to right, Honoree Fatima Gusic of Manchester, NH, mother of a girl enrolled at the Manchester Girls' Center – Fatima and her daughter fled their war ravaged home in Bosnia to make a successful life in the states; Honoree Claudie Mahar of Amherst, NH and VP of Hospital Services at St. Joseph Hospital in Nashua, NH; Cathy Duffy, CEO of Girls Incorporated of New Hampshire, Host and MC of the event; Honoree Mary Jane Q. Cross of Newport, NH a renowned painter who overcame the onset of a debilitating tremor on her entire right side to continue painting by using her fingers; and Honoree Jacqueline Gadsden of Manchester, NH, VP of Customer Service for Comcast Cable, NNE Region. more...

Girls Incorporated of New Hampshire activities encourage political engagement in girls and young women 10/15/2008 more...

Girls Incorporated of New Hampshire invites Mayor Lozeau to share experiences with girls 08/13/2008 more...

Girls Incorporated of New Hampshire announces new officers 07/14/2008 more...

Girls Incorporated of New Hampshire celebrates year's achievements Girls' speeches and special awards highlight annual dinner. 07/09/2008 more...

19th Annual Auction breaks all fundraising records for Girls Inc. of New Hampshire 07/08/2008 more...

From the Concord City Manager's Weekly Memo:
GIRLS INC. HELPS POLICE DEPARTMENT 07/17/2007 more...

Girls Incorporated of New Hampshire’s Concord Girls just being Neighborly 07/13/2007 more...

Greater Nashua Region names Girl of the Year
Click here for related Nashua Telegraph article pub. 06/07/2007

Oxygen, Comcast and Girls Incorporated of New Hampshire challenge viewers to "Fight Like a Girl" Women’s Cable Network offers Free Self Defense Classes at Pro-Portsmouth Market Square Day. 05/21/2007 more...

Makibie launches Girls Inc. of New Hampshire's new creative and user friendly website 05/11/2007 more...