Girl Scouts of Southern Arizona

While we annually serve more than 4,000 ages 5-17 every year, that number only tells a portion of the story. The growing need for enrichment programs in our community and the belief that every Girl deserves access to opportunity regardless of her socio-economic or "at-risk" status was the catalyst for us to change our approach over the years to a staff supported model. Our staff supported (ss) programs serve girls in crisis, girls who live in foster care group homes, girls in detention and on the brink of incarceration, girls with incarcerated mothers and girls who live in isolated, rural and impoverished areas. Our ss program utilizes stipend college women in the absence of volunteers who work in 40 schools and social services settings a week serving more than 4,000 girls a year. Specific services delivered: during the year, we served more than 4,000 girls ages 5-17 throughout Southern Arizona. Financial literacy is a strategic focus of Girl Scouts as we believe it is crucial to empower girls to take control of their financial futures. We teach girls the basics of money management and how to set and obtain financial goals. Through adelante jovencitas, Girl Scouts beyond bars, and foster care gssoaz serves girls whose lives have been impacted by the Arizona juvenile justice system, including girls with incarcerated mothers, girls in detention and girls who are at-risk for incarceration, and girls who live in foster care group homes. Leadership journeys: every Girl scout participates in a diverse range of 6 -week leadership-focused program sessions, or journeys - each covering a specific theme that is relevant to girls' educational needs and interests. Global citizenship and Girl scout highest awards: girls can earn Girl Scouts highest honors, the bronze, silver, and gold awards while making a lasting difference in their community and in the larger world. Science, technology, engineering and math: gssoaz engages girls in our hands-on experimential stem programs, which are designed to instill in girls a love of the sciences. Health and wellness: in Girl Scouts, girls learn an approach to health that empowers them in body, mind, and spirit. They get the building blocks of nutrition and exercise, along with important lessons in self-esteem, independence, and the value of caring for others. Gssoaz is on a mission to ensure that no Girl is left inside (ngli) and provide opportunities for them to discover nature, high adventure and environmental education. Youth volunteer corps: the Girl scout youth volunteer corps engages, empowers, and motivates girls to take action in their communities through service projects that they develop. Volunteer led troops: volunteer led troops are the cornerstone of the Girl scout movement. Dedicated volunteers mentor girls through their progression in Girl Scouts.