Community Corner: First Resource Center For Girls In Oakland
OAKLAND (KCBS) - Girls Inc. of Alameda County, a nonprofit that serves high-risk girls, broke ground on its new center in Oakland Thursday. The Girls Inc Simpson Center for Girls will be Alameda County's first and only resource center for girls.
Girls Inc offers academic support as well as financial education, leadership skills, and health services to under-served girls to encourage them to find their place in the community and advocate change.
Girls Inc of Alameda County CEO Linda Boessenecker said this move from a small office in San Leandro to a large space in downtown Oakland puts them closer to the high-risk girls and families they are serving.
KCBS' Connie C. Kim talks to Girls Inc of Alameda County CEO Linda Boessenecker:
"I strongly believe every dollar we put towards educating a girl creates change in the community," Boessenecker said.
The organization serves more than 7,500 girls annually and programs have continued to evolve since its first meeting in 1958 when the skills taught were cooking, sewing and typing. The focus now is on science, math and technology.
The new center will house expanded programs and services, a Mental Health Counseling Center, and 100 staff members. It is scheduled to open the summer of 2013.
"We see this new headquarters and resource center as an expansion of dreams for girls," Boessenecker added.
More than 1,000 volunteers help with the programs and services offered. Boessenecker said volunteers come in as career speakers, donate books and educational materials for the girls, or help out with special events.
To find out how you can get involved go to www.GirlsInc-Alameda.org.
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