Planning your child’s after school schedule just got easier. Noozhawk’s ParentNooz After School Activities Guide is your curated roadmap to the wide range of programs available to local families — from academic enrichment to sports, arts, and beyond.
To give parents a deeper look at what’s out there, we connected directly with leaders from Santa Barbara’s most dynamic after school programs. These interview style features offer a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the activities, philosophies, and benefits of each organization.
In this spotlight, we chatted with Cydney Justman, Executive Director of Girls Inc. of Greater Santa Barbara, to learn how they’re helping kids grow strong, smart, and bold through this year’s lineup of offerings.
Girls Inc. of Greater Santa Barbara
Question: What variety of afterschool activities do you offer to students?
Answer: At Girls Inc. of Greater Santa Barbara, we offer a wide variety of after-school activities that are as enriching as they are fun. Girls can dive into STEM projects, strengthen their literacy skills, explore advocacy and theater, get their hands dirty in the garden, or learn to cook healthy meals. Everything we do is designed to help girls build confidence, discover new passions, and grow into strong, smart, and bold leaders.
Q: Which age groups can participate in your afterschool programs?
A: We serve girls from TK to 12th grade.
Q: In what ways do your activities support children’s developmental growth?
A: Our activities are intentionally designed to support the whole girl—mind, body, and heart. Whether it’s building problem-solving skills through STEM, practicing communication and self-expression in theater, or learning about nutrition while cooking a healthy meal, everything we offer helps girls develop critical life skills.
We also focus heavily on social-emotional learning, building strong friendships, conflict resolution, confidence, and resilience along the way, preparing them to thrive in every stage of life.
Q: What sets your afterschool programs apart from others in the community?
A: What sets us apart is our intentional, research-backed approach to girl-centered programming. Girls Inc. isn’t just a place to go after school—it’s a place where girls are empowered to find their voice, explore their passions, and grow in confidence.
Our programs are led by trained and credentialed staff who serve as mentors and role models, and everything we offer—from STEM and literacy to advocacy and wellness—is designed with girls’ unique needs and strengths in mind. Plus, it’s a whole lot of fun!
Q: Could you share a few success stories or parent/student testimonials about your programs?
A: “When Layla started Girls Inc., she was the kid who clung to my leg at drop-off. Social situations made her nervous, she struggled to make friends, and she didn’t know many girls outside her school. Within a few weeks, she was coming home talking about new friends from other schools and proudly showing off a recipe she learned in the cooking rotation.”
“Now she begs me to pick her up late, she never wants to leave! Watching her grow into this confident, joyful version of herself has been incredible. She’s even started initiating playdates, which I never thought I’d see.”
“The moment I realized how deeply Girls Inc. impacted her was when we went to see the end of school year showcase. She got up there with her friends and performed in front of a room full of people. We were blown away with her ease and confidence.”
“As a full-time working parent, having a place like Girls Inc. has been a game changer for our family. Knowing my daughters are in a safe, enriching, and truly nurturing environment while I’m at work brings me peace of mind every single day. They’re not just being ‘watched’—they’re thriving.
They’re building confidence, learning new things, and surrounded by mentors who genuinely care about their growth. It’s hard to put into words what it means to have a space like this for my daughters while I’m working to support our family. We’re incredibly grateful.”
Q: What steps do you take to ensure the safety and well-being of children during program hours?
A: As a licensed childcare facility, safety is our top priority. We maintain a low staff-to-student ratio, conduct regular safety trainings and drills, and follow strict check-in/check-out procedures.
Our staff are CPR and First Aid certified, and our spaces are designed with children’s well-being in mind. Beyond physical safety, we work hard to ensure every girl feels emotionally safe, respected, and supported.
Q: How do you integrate educational components into your afterschool activities?
A: We believe learning doesn’t stop when the school day ends—it just gets more exciting! Our after-school activities are infused with educational components that feel hands-on, engaging, and relevant.
Whether it’s a hands-on science experiment in STEM, a storytelling workshop that builds literacy, or planting a garden to learn about sustainability, we make sure girls are building academic skills in creative and meaningful ways.
Q: Can you walk us through a typical day or session in your program?
A: A typical afternoon at Girls Inc. starts with a warm welcome, snack and unstructured time to refuel after the school day. Then we move into hands-on programming—maybe that’s a STEM challenge, a theater game, choreographed dance, art, time in the garden, cooking class or a literacy activity in our wonderful library.
We build in time for play, movement, and connection. Each day is intentionally designed to be engaging, empowering, and fun.
Q: How do you help children who may feel shy or reluctant to join in?
A: We meet each girl where she’s at. Our staff, many of whom are bilingual, are warm, welcoming, and trained to create a safe, inclusive space where every girl feels seen and supported.
For girls who are shy or hesitant, we gently encourage participation through small group activities, one-on-one connections, and lots of positive reinforcement. Over time, we see even the quietest girls blossom with confidence. It’s truly a joy to watch!
Q: How do you keep parents informed about their child’s progress and experiences?
A: We believe in strong partnerships with parents and caregivers. We keep families informed through newsletters, family check-ins, and open communication with our program staff.
Drop-off and pick-up time is always a great time for caregivers to chat with our program staff. We also love to share stories, photos, and highlights from the girls’ experiences so families can see the growth, joy, and confidence unfolding every day.
Q: What is your approach to managing behavioral challenges or conflicts during activities?
A: Our approach is rooted in empathy, respect, and growth. We see behavioral challenges as opportunities to teach, not punish. When conflicts arise, we focus on helping girls understand their emotions, communicate effectively, and repair relationships.
Our staff are trained in positive behavior guidance and conflict resolution, creating a supportive space where every girl can learn, grow, and feel safe.
Q: What enrollment options and pricing do you offer for your afterschool programs?
A: Our after-school program is designed to be as accessible as possible for families. There’s a one-time registration fee of $25 per child, and from there, families can choose between full-time or part-time schedules. Full-time (three or more days a week) is $140 per week, and part-time (two days or fewer) is $85 per week.
We also offer sibling discounts, and financial assistance is available through our Equitable Access Fund and scholarship program, which helps ensure that cost is never a barrier for girls to participate. We encourage families to reach out—we’re here to work with you and find a plan that fits your needs.
Click here to learn more about Girls Inc. of Greater Santa Barbara!