Girls Inc. of Greater Santa Barbara has embarked on a new partnership with the Santa Barbara Unified School District (SBUSD) that will bring Girls Inc. programming to elementary schools in the district.
The new program, approved by the school district and board, will be offered during lunchtime and after school hours, serving up to 600 girls across nine elementary schools in Santa Barbara for free to families and the district.
Participating schools include:
• Adams Elementary School
• Cleveland Elementary School
• Franklin Elementary School
• Harding University Partnership School
• McKinley Elementary School
• Monroe Elementary School
• Roosevelt Elementary School
• Santa Barbara Community Academy
• Washington Elementary School
The partnership underscores a shared commitment to empowering young girls, and providing them with opportunities to develop essential life skills, confidence, and leadership abilities.
“We are thrilled to partner with the Santa Barbara Unified School District to offer this impactful program to elementary school girls in our community,” said Cydney Justman, executive director of Girls Inc. of Greater Santa Barbara.
“By providing free programming during lunchtime and after school on a regular basis, we aim to reach as many girls as possible and make a meaningful difference in their lives,” she said.
The program will focus on a range of subjects tailored to the needs and interests of each unique cohort of girls, including leadership development, STEM education, healthy living, and financial literacy.
Through interactive workshops, hands-on activities and mentorship, girls will have the chance to explore new interests, build self-esteem, connect with positive role models and make new friends, Girls Inc. said.
“This partnership shows what is possible when we can partner with our great resources available here in Santa Barbara,” said Schools Superintendent Hilda Maldonado. “I am grateful to Girls Inc. for stepping up to help our students in this new program, and look forward to seeing how this grows to give girls in our district new opportunities to be astronauts, entrepreneurs, doctors, or whatever they want to be.”
Girls Inc. of Greater Santa Barbara said it will work closely with school administrators, teachers and staff to refer students, carry out monitoring and evaluation, and ensure a seamless integration into the school day.
Parents, educators, and community members can learn more about the program by emailing info@girlsincsb.org and help spread the word to families of girls attending an SBUSD elementary school.