Shelby County Community Education is partnering with Girls Incorporated of Central Alabama to bring Girls Inc. Clubs to Calera Intermediate School and Elvin Hill Elementary School.

Girls Incorporated of Central Alabama is a nonprofit organization that serves school-age girls in the greater Birmingham area.  They are an affiliate of the National Girls Inc. and have been a United Way partner agency since 1954.

Their mission is to “inspire all girls to be strong, smart and bold.” Girls involved with the organization learn to value their whole selves, discover and develop their strengths, and receive the support they need to navigate the challenges they face.

This mentoring-style club is free of charge and will be held after-school twice a week for girls in the fourth and fifth grade. The Girls Inc. Club membership includes: Girls Inc. trained professionals and volunteers who will teach, support and guide participants to do their best in school and make positive decisions; a pro-girl environment where there is a sisterhood of support, high expectations and mutual respect among staff and participants; hands-on, fun, and age-appropriate activities from researched-based curricula designed to meet the needs of today’s girls.

Topics to be discussed include building positive friendships, managing stress, embracing puberty, developing healthy habits, bullying prevention, self-esteem building, homework help, and exploring STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math).  There will also be parent/daughter workshops to help parents understand and positively support the issues and changes their daughters may experience.

The program is free, but girls interested in participating must register.  For more information please contact Julean Kirkpatrick, M.A., Girls Inc. Community Impact Program Manager jkirkpatrick@girlsinccentral-al.org / (205) 599-5554