I worked for Girls Inc. of Santa Fe several years ago and I still think about what an amazing experience it was. The carefully chosen staff is extremely dedicated, enthusiastic, and intentional. It is because of this that the girls have such a rich experience. This community is so very lucky to have such a safe and enriching space to grow and learn.
I have volunteered for this organization and hands-down it is the one that I would support their support for young girls is amazing and I am proud to be associated with them having a daughter myself.
My daughter has been attending Girl's Inc.'s after-school and summer programs for two years now and we both really love it. It is safe, convenient, enriching and affordable and I can't thank them enough for "being there" for the community. They pick my girl up from school, feed her a snack and keep her entertained with lots of fun and educational games until I can get her after work. She also gets help with her homework and valuable life-skills guidance. I love the strong focus on teamwork, compassion and acceptance. Here are just a few things that my daughter loves: "Art projects, science, and playing outside!"
I had the opportunity to work with Girls Inc. in Santa Fe as part of a community outreach project through Santa Fe Community College.
I enjoyed my time at Girls Inc. and was very impressed with the way they interacted with the young girls in our community teaching them to be strong, smart and bold. I volunteered again over the summer to help out with their art show on the plaza. It's a great place to volunteer your time.
Serving on the Board of Directors of Girls Inc. of Santa Fe was one of my best experiences in New Mexico. Talk about an organization that is making a difference! Girls who are lucky enough to participate with Girls Inc. truly grow smarter, stronger and bolder.
In 1998, I had the privilege of being the lead artist on a mural project at Girl's Inc., working all summer with the girls and staff. Enthusiasm, creativity, leadership, support, care and community awareness best describe this incredible agency and the girls served. The mural project was supported by the CIty of Santa Fe and private funders. Thirteen years later, the mural is as beautiful as ever, proudly demonstrating the group's care to their property and respect for the work of their clients... the fabulous girls.
The services provided by GIrl's Inc. are many and often go unsung. I saw single parents so happy to have a safe and secure environment for their daughter's to be in and receive food, project supplies and enriching experiences.
Go Girl's Inc. and all the girls served!
Pamela Markoya, Artist
I was a program facilitator/program specialist at Girls Inc of Santa Fe for about four years. From the day I started, I've been thrilled to see how this organization has grown in that span of years. Everyone works hard to provide for the girls and their families, even in this recession where money was scarce. Girls Inc of Santa Fe taught me what a community looks like, what it can accomplish and what it does for the larger, surrounding communities. Not only was I able to teach girls how to be strong, smart and bold; I learned what those words meant as well. The groups that I was fortunate to facilitate changed me for the better. I became a stronger person. I became a better person.
Girls Inc of Santa Fe takes great strides towards being inclusive, embracing families of all shapes and sizes and supporting every girl who is looking for a safe space. They've never turned anyone away for lack of ability to pay. They understand that all girls are at risk in some fashion and each day, the staff works to make the two locations a beacon for girls and their families.
While I am no longer an employee, I'm still involved in small ways and the friendships I've made during my time at the Santa Fe Girls Inc will last me my whole life. If I had been introduced to a space like Girls Inc when I was growing up, it would have given me a lot more agency earlier in life. I'm proud that I've been able to provide that for my girls. I'm proud to have been a part of this amazing local non-profit.