Girl Scouts of Maine Receives Generous $77,000 Donation from John T. Gorman Foundation to Fuel Afterschool Program in Partnership with Avesta Housing
February 20, 2024
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Helen Ruhlin
(207) 252-9212
hruhlin@gsmaine.org
SOUTH PORTLAND—Girl Scouts of Maine (GSME) has received a $77,000 grant from the John T. Gorman Foundation, a private foundation based in Portland with a mission to make Maine a more equitable place where all children and families can thrive, to support GSME’s A Place for Girls (APFG), an afterschool skill-building and leadership program for girls residing in the West End neighborhood of South Portland. This grant will provide funding for up to 75 girls ages 5-17 and their families in partnership with Avesta Housing, the largest nonprofit affordable housing provider in northern New England.
Participants in APFG will engage in the Girl Scout Leadership Experience (GSLE) through fun, hands-on activities in areas such as STEM, entrepreneurship, life skills, the outdoors, and more.
“At Avesta, we are committed to investing in our communities and helping our young residents succeed by connecting them to resources that will benefit them academically and socially,” says Avesta Housing Vice President of Property Management and Resident Services Amanda Gilliam. “This program is unique from any other and has the potential to instill skills that will not only benefit the participants but their families and future generations as well.”
This robust afterschool program offered by GSME will answer critical participant needs for emotional and learning-based support services utilizing a holistic approach to support families on their path to financial independence. APFG participants will be granted Girl Scout memberships at no cost and GSME will provide scholarships for up to five girls interested in attending a 2024 GSME overnight summer camp.
While youth participants will have the opportunity to pursue badge journeys of their choice from the Girl Scouts National Program Portfolio, adult participants will have access to classes covering topics aimed at family and community contributions. For instance, parents and caregivers will be able to attend English Language Learning (ELL) courses, volunteer during afternoon programming, connect with potential employers, create a community garden, and enhance financial literacy through specialized workshops. Aside from regular on-site activities, which will continue throughout school vacations, participants will also have the chance to take part in field trips with partner organizations such as the Children’s Museum and the Theater of Maine.
“With the John T. Gorman Foundation’s focus on strengthening children and their families, we are excited to support this multi-generational initiative to foster the healthy development of young women while connecting their caregivers to new opportunities,” said John T. Gorman Foundation President & CEO Nicole Witherbee. “This program takes a creative and promising approach to engaging whole families, and we look forward to seeing its impact in the community.”
Avesta’s resident service team will work in tandem with GSME staff to identify and enroll participants in the surrounding community, and to determine events and activities that best benefit the interest of the participants. Although the program is currently in the initial planning phase, GSME hopes to begin meetings in the spring, and funding will run for a year.
“We have a commitment to provide girls from all backgrounds with the opportunities and tools necessary to become confident leaders. This generous grant will allow participants to engage in our girl-led, research-based programming, and learn cooperatively alongside peers and mentors while building social and emotional skills that will last a lifetime,” says GSME CEO, Mara Robinov-Moorhead.
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Girl Scouts bring their dreams to life and work together to build a better world. Through programs across the state of Maine and beyond, Girl Scouts of all backgrounds and abilities can be unapologetically themselves as they discover their strengths and rise to meet new challenges—whether they want to climb to the top of a tree or the top of their class, lace up their boots for a hike or advocate for climate justice, or make their first best friends. Backed by trusted adult volunteers, mentors, and millions of alums, Girl Scouts lead the way as they find their voices and make changes that affect the issues most important to them. To join us, volunteer, reconnect, or donate, visit girlscoutsofmaine.org. For the latest updates, follow us on Facebook @GirlScoutsofMaine and Instagram @girlscoutsofmaine.
Photos courtesy of Girl Scouts of Maine
