Girls Inc. of the Washington, DC Metropolitan Area (“Girls Inc. DC”) is a local Girls Inc. affiliate that inspires all girls in DC region to be strong, smart, and bold through direct service and advocacy opportunities.

In its first decade, Girls Inc. DC partnered with Howard University, becoming the first Girls Inc. affiliate in the United States to be located on a college campus.

Incorporated in 2004, Girls Inc. DC began serving middle school girls in 2006, with an emphasis on DC Wards 1, 5, 7 and 8.

Since its inception, Girls Inc. DC has served more than 1,300 girls, with 616 of the girls accessing at least 35 hours of programming in all three core outcome areas—healthy living, academic enrichment and support, and life skills instruction.

Girls Inc. DC partners in the community with K-12 schools, community-based organizations, and universities, and with industry and philanthropy, to reach and serve as many girls as possible.

Vision, Mission, and Outcomes

Vision

Empowered girls and an equitable Washington, DC metropolitan community.

Mission

To inspire all girls to be strong, smart, and bold, starting with girls in under-resourced communities.

Outcomes

Short- and intermediate-term: Statistically significant gains versus peers in academic achievement, health, and life, including college readiness, financial empowerment, self expression and confidence, and leadership and civic participation.

Long-term: Financially independent women, in positions of influence, and active as Girls Inc. DC alumnae.

Ultimate: Generational impact through the changed trajectories of girls’ lives; racial and gender equity achieved in partnership with others.

The Girls Inc. Experience

All-girl, pro-girl environment

Girls Inc. DC prioritizes girls-only spaces that offer physical and emotional safety. The Girls Inc. DC environment fosters a sisterhood of support, high expectations, and mutual respect. Girls Inc. DC partners, such as school liaisons, are integral to trusted communication and support.

Qualified adult staff & mentors

Adults at Girls Inc. DC play an important role in the lives of girls as trusted, caring mentors trained in an approach that is grounded in the belief in girls’ rights and abilities. Staff engage with families, encourage girls to pursue leadership positions, and serve as role models.

Research-based programs

A two-year national study conducted by The American Institutes for Research demonstrates that the Girls Inc. Experience delivers proven outcomes for girls in the areas of healthy living, academic enrichment and support, and life skills. Executive Summary here.