Our History
Girls Inc. is the longest-running girls’ leadership organization.
Our Mission
To empower girls to believe in themselves and reach their full potential. We inspire all girls to be strong, smart, and bold through advocacy, education and programs.
Our Vision
Empowered girls living in an equitable society.
Our Values
Respect the dignity of each human being. Recognize and support the strength of every girl, those who were born girls, identify as girls, or would benefit from a pro-girl environment. Appreciate, embrace, and advance diversity. Drive for results anchored in accountability. Operate collaboratively.
Our Statement of Values:
We believe:
that positive self-esteem is the foundation for a healthy and productive life;
that children and youth have the right to develop positive self-esteem;
that all people are worthwhile and should be treated with dignity, respect and love;
that each individual’s rights, beliefs and freedoms should be respected;
that children have unlimited potential and represent the future of our community;
that children and youth have the right to explore their creativity and individuality;
that children and youth have a right to receive guidance and direction in their lives;
that children and youth have a right to personal safety; that children, youth and adults can all benefit from an ongoing trusting relationship;
in an approach to service that recognizes each person’s emotional, social, intellectual, physical and spiritual needs;
in advocacy for the unique needs of girls and young women;
in ethno-cultural diversity;
in the value of partnerships with Clients and related community agencies through collaboration and cooperation;
that community volunteers are valued and integral to the agency;
in being accountable to the community and funding bodies by ensuring that our services are effective and reflect changing community needs.
Girls Inc. was founded in 1864 to serve girls and young women who were experiencing upheaval in the aftermath of the Civil War.
Across the decades, we adapted to meet the specific environmental challenges facing girls and young women, always working in partnership with schools and communities, and guided by our founders’ fundamental belief in the inherent potential of each girl. Woven into those early girls’ clubs are the same core values of Girls Inc. today: the importance of creating a safe gathering place for girls to learn and to share in a sisterhood and a strong premise that each girl can develop her own capacities, self- confidence, and grow up healthy, educated, and independent.
For 160 years, Girls Inc. has been evolving with girls.
We not only support girls, we also equip them and give them the opportunity to envision, and then create, a more equitable future.
Girls Inc. is the leading expert on girls.
Working with and on behalf of girls for 160 years has given us unparalleled knowledge and expertise. The Girls Inc. Experience changes the trajectory of girls’ lives and prepares them for lifelong success.
Girls Inc. has served millions of girls across the United States and Canada.
OUR LOCAL AFFILIATE HISTORY
Girls Inc. of Durham began as a branch of the Big Sisters movement- and started a traditional Big Sister/Little Sister Matching Program in 1984 in Ajax and Pickering in response to a need identified by a group of local parents. With the assistance of the (then) Social Planning Council, and financial support from the United Way of Ajax-Pickering, Big Sisters Association of Ajax-Pickering was established.
Since then we have consistently responded to the needs of the community. In 1988 we started the Friends Program – a mentoring program for pregnant teens and young mothers. This program was the first of its kind in Ontario and has been the model for similar programs elsewhere in the province. Beginning in 2001, the agency offered a variety of workshops and weekend retreats for teens on relevant issues.
In 2002, we began the most exciting phase in our history when we affiliated with Girls Incorporated. Our name was officially changed to Girls Incorporated of Durham, reflecting our new affiliation and signaling our intention to grow and to serve girls throughout the Durham Region.
In 2004, we received a grant from The Ontario Trillium Foundation to help make our dream a reality. In the fall of that year we launched two satellite locations in South Oshawa and Pickering, to introduce the Girls Inc. Operation SMARTSM program. In 2005, Girls Inc. of Durham became the administrator of the federally funded Canada Prenatal Nutrition Program (CPNP), known in the community as Food ‘4’ Thought.
2006 marked the beginning of the Girls Inc. summer day camp program, which has taken place in Pickering, Uxbridge, Whitby, and Oshawa. The camps provide girls ages 6 to 12, with components of each of the eight signature Girls Inc. programs. Counsellor in Training Program was designed to give girls ages 13+ the skills and tools they need to become future leaders.
2011 was a year of recognition, as Girls Inc. of Durham was selected as a Finalist in the Voluntary Sector Reporting Awards. Through the Donner Awards, we were recognized by the Fraser Institute, as one of the top three charities in Canada in education. Girls Incorporated also acknowledged our achievements that year by awarding Girls Inc. of Durham with the prestigious Standards of Excellence Award, an honour previously given to only two other affiliates and we were the first recipient in Canada. This award recognizes success in areas such as program implementation, fund development, marketing, governance and advocacy.
2019 we were awarded the Ajax Pickering Board of Trade 25th Business Excellence Awards Best Not for Profit/ Charity category. We were also awarded Whitby Chamber of Commerce Not for Profit of the Year 2019.
Girls Inc. is the only agency in Durham to offer this type of comprehensive programming for girls in Durham Region. Girls Inc.® programs encourage girls to take risks and master physical, intellectual, and emotional challenges. Major programs address math, science and technology skills, leadership, media literacy, economic literacy, health and well-being, violence prevention, and sports participation.
Our participants are equipped with the skills to lead and create positive change in their communities.
Girls’ Bill of Rights
We will always support girls and ensure that their rights are recognized and respected.