Ariah has been a Girls Inc. girl since she was in Kindergarten. Now in sixth grade, she’s had many experiences with Girls Inc. from all-encompassing programs like SSB Afterschool Experience (SSBAE) and Summer Camp, to specialty programs like Gymnastics, STEM, Art, and Mind+Body.

Making connections with others is the foundation of Girls Inc. for Ariah. “At Girls Inc., you don’t really have to try to make friends,” she told us. “You just [end up becoming] cool with everybody.” Whether hanging out after school, heading to a field trip, or putting together a talent show routine at camp, her friends here at Girls Inc. have been a highlight of attending programs over the years.

Being around Girls Inc. for most of her childhood so far, Ariah has noticed a change in herself and how she works through connections with staff and friends when they aren’t so easy. She talked about how, in recent years, she had a tendency to react in a disrespectfully to friends or facilitators when something bothered her. But through the support and guidance of our staff, she’s noticed that she now handles negative feelings with more consideration for those around her. Even though she knows there’s always room to grow, over time, she’s noticed her improvement and does her best to express herself honestly while still being kind.

To her, there’s a difference between support from our staff and other mentor figures outside of our Program Center. While others in her life have not always given her the chance to share her perspective in disagreements or confusing situations, she says, “Girls Inc. staff talk to you and make sure they understand [both] your story and the other story.” It’s important to her that, even if our staff have to redirect her, they still show value of each girl’s perspective in problem-solving and accomplishing goals. “When we’re doing a project [or discussion as a group], they’ll make sure everybody gets in what they want to say.” Instead of just a surface-level bond, Ariah feels that the staff create a space where she truly has the chance to be inquisitive, imaginative, included, and celebrated for her personal victories.

Outside of feeling supported in her relationships with Girls Inc. friends and staff, she loves Girls Inc. for the “fun learning experiences”. Some of her favorites are judgement-free Informed and In-Charge sessions, Specialty Summer Camp Features, exciting and informative SSBAE field trips, and the always lively and expressive camp talent shows. These have not only given her the opportunity to enjoy time with friends and explore her interests, but they’ve encouraged her in becoming her best self as she dreams about the future.